A Bluff Democrat Tells the State Committee to Hold Its Convention in Hell

Whatcom, July 31.—[Special.]—A short time ago the Post-Intelligencer noted that, in answer to a letter from the secretary of the Democratic state committee, the Port Townsend Democrats had advised holding the state convention in Texas, as about the only place this year where the Democrats seem to be 'still in it.' A rather better suggestion than that has just come to light here, contained in the reply of Hon. Samuel Bass, of this city, to a similar letter. The reply bears date of July 12, but for all that it is still fresh, a few may say too fresh, and will undoubtedly be read with special interest by the new school of Democratic politicians whose stars are just now in the ascendancy in this state. It is thoroughly characteristic of the bluff old Democrat who sends it and who fears neither man nor devil, Pharisees nor Pharisees in his own party or out of it.

Following is a verbatim copy of his lurid letter to the Whatcom secretary:

'Mr. Charles De France, Secretary Democratic State Central Committee—Dear Sir: I am in receipt of your favor requesting me to write to Henry Drum and others my opinion as to the time and place of holding the next state convention, and inviting me also to make such other recommendations as may suggest themselves to my mind as helpful to the cause of Democracy,' etc.

'It strikes me that your letter, so far as I am personally concerned, is rather an astonishing exhibition of gall, in view of the fact that the first time I had any talk with you about politics you told me you knew more about the political situation in Whatcom county than I did, and the next time you had the impudence to tell me that I was no Democrat, although I was helping to fight the battles of Democracy when you and Wallace and Drum were wearing breechclouts; and long before trickery, disregard for principles and pledges and for party fealty were considered the primary qualifications for party leadership in this state, and especially in this county.

'If you don't consider me a Democrat why do you want my opinion? Why don't you ask some tin-horn gambler or some shyster judge? They are the sort of people who seem to have the most influence with the party organization in this state, and, I am sorry to say, with the administration also.

'As far as the next convention is concerned I don't care where it is held. To accommodate the class of Democrats who seem to be running the machine now it might be a good idea to have it in h—ll, but wherever it is I will try to be there, and if the privilege of free speech is not overridden I may then express my opinion as to what would be helpful to the cause of Democracy and to the principles I have supported for more than forty years.

'SAMUEL BASS, 'A Democrat.'