Populists Nearly Come to Blows Over Their Own Platform
Fifty-five delegates, a hall full of converted Republicans and Democrats, and two competing sets of resolutions in Mount Vernon — the new People's Party of Skagit County almost wrecked itself before it named a single candidate.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
MOUNT VERNON, Sept. 1. — [Special.] — The People's party held its county convention today at Burlington, and fifty-five delegates answered to their names when the roll was called. M. F. Knox, of Seattle, was present, and before the convention was called to order delivered a speech in which he stated that he was in favor of building the Lake Washington canal at the expense of the government; also that the canal should be owned and operated by the government. In fact, he was in favor of public improvements of all kinds being made, owned and operated by the government.
Among the delegates are many former prominent Republicans and a few Democrats. E. K. Matlock, of Mount Vernon, for a long time a Republican officeholder and one of the smartest politicians in Skagit county, is one of the delegates. J. P. Houser, an attorney of Mount Vernon, another old-time Republican, occupied a prominent place on the floor. Judge Nealy, for twenty years a Democrat, has also joined the forces and delivered a speech before the convention. E. L. Clarke, of Anacortes, was chosen temporary chairman.
The committee on resolutions reported, and then J. B. Willey, of Hamilton, formerly a prominent Democrat, arose and read a set of radical resolutions of his own making, which he moved that the convention adopt as a substitute. There was much feeling, and it was evident that a bitter fight was on, and all expected to see a disgraceful scene. Just at this moment a delegate from Anacortes arose, and in the interest of harmony moved that the two platforms be laid on the table until after the nominations were closed. The motion carried, and the following nominations were made: Representatives, Oscar Ball, of McMurray, and E. L. Clarke, of Anacortes; auditor, C. Roseby, of Mt. Vernon; county clerk, George Angel, of Burlington; sheriff, L. E. Boyd, of Clear Lake; treasurer, Ole J. Bjorseth, of Fir; prosecuting attorney, J. P. Houser, of Mount Vernon; assessor, G. M. Reed, of Wooley; surveyor, H. R. Stevenson, of Hamilton; coroner, I. A. Blackwell, of Clear Lake; wreckmaster, J. W. Benson, of Clear Lake; county superintendent of schools, Mrs. McKenzie, of Anacortes; county commissioners, A. J. Wright, of North Fork, W. B. Fraser, of Anacortes and J. B. Willey, of Hamilton. A few of the nominees are well known, and several of them are said to be irresistible men.
After nominations were closed the question of platform was discussed, and the resolutions drawn up by the committee were received and Willey's platform was voted down. It is claimed that the People's party will poll about one-third of the total vote of this county. The new party here is an unknown quantity, and is expected to draw heavily from both the old parties.
“There was much feeling, and it was evident that a bitter fight was on, and all expected to see a disgraceful scene.”
The 1892 People's Party was the last great insurgency to sweep Washington farms and mill towns, and its demand that the Lake Washington canal be publicly owned reads like a modern fight over who profits from public infrastructure. Note the convention's cast: lifelong Republicans and Democrats bolting together, then nearly splitting over whose platform would stand. Party realignment, insurgent outsiders and a squabble over the rules is a script that could run in any election cycle since.
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