The Business Men's Counter-Rally
Proponents of industry and economic development rally at Occidental Square against the 'moral reformers.'
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A massive political rally held at Occidental Square saw fifteen hundred citizens gather to support John Leary for Mayor. The crowd, largely composed of the city's established business interests, presented a platform focused on economic growth rather than the moral policing advocated by the Law and Order party. Governor E.F. Ferry, acting as chairman, argued that a city should be managed on business principles, stating that the moral crusaders were creating 'shadowy and unknown evils' out of an 'overstrained imagination.' Speakers repeatedly praised John Leary for his role in fostering local industry and employment, contrasting his practical record with the 'puritanical' approach of their opponents.
“You do not hire a lawyer, a doctor or an architect because he is a sober, moral man. You hire him because he is a business man.”
Occidental Square has remained a focal point for civic gathering for over a century. The conflict here—balancing the city's reputation for order against the need for a frictionless environment for business investment—remains a core tension in Seattle's urban development.
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