The Fight for the Lake Washington Canal
King County Democrats suffer a setback at the state convention, but the paper praises their loyalty to the proposed canal project against opposition from Pierce County.
The Democratic delegation from King county went home yesterday, beaten at almost every vital point; but they had the satisfaction of knowing that while they were willing to compromise for the sake of harmony, they would not sacrifice the interest of their constituency and forsake the canal. When they became satisfied that the Pierce county delegation had formed a combination they could not overcome, they nailed to the mast the flag of loyalty to their county, and gallantly sank with their colors flying. It remains for the 8th day of next November to determine finally just how far and how deeply the burning insult to the whole people of King county, irrespective of party, the defeat of the canal resolution has gone. To support any candidate who stands on a platform whose chief plank is a direct thrust at the life of the community and a menace to its prosperity should be impossible to any resident of that county.
“When they became satisfied that the Pierce county delegation had formed a combination they could not overcome, they nailed to the mast the flag of loyalty to their county.”
The century-long struggle to construct the Lake Washington Ship Canal is a defining element of Seattle's infrastructure history. This reflects the intense, high-stakes geographic rivalries between Tacoma and Seattle that shaped the early Washington political landscape.
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