The Beer-Fueled Plot to Steal a Populist Club

Virtue is still triumphant in the ward, and a deep-laid scheme of town Democratic statesmen and some Populists to deliver the ward into the hands of John Collins and John Considine has completely failed.

A week ago Dr. Jordan, Joe Young, W. Van Waters, W. J. Larkin and Jack Thompson, the latter being specially invited, met in the office of the homeopathic doctor to consider a proposition submitted by the Democratic central committee as to how to throw the First Ward Populist Club into the control of the Democrats.

The edict had gone forth from the Tacoma headquarters that fusion of Populists and Democrats was to be counted on, on the plan of giving the chief offices to the Populists in return for members of the legislature. But this scheme did not suit the Democratic managers here. They wanted no one but Democrats and Populists who would become Democrats immediately after election to secure nominations. The meeting of self-made leaders was to complete arrangements for hoodwinking the honest Populists of the First ward.

It was argued at this meeting that the only way was to make up a slate and turn it over to the Democrats for indorsement, and no man was to be put on the Populist ticket unless he was approved by John Collins and the Democratic central committee. The special committee was willing to accept Jack McDonald for sheriff, Thomas F. Drew for the legislature and Judge Bush as first choice for prosecuting attorney, with Richard Winsor a close second. Johnny Hart was objectionable to Collins and was to be knifed from the word go. Under no consideration were the Populists to be allowed to nominate Jack Thompson for the legislature.

This was the state of affairs when 'Tax Tommy' Bevan called the First Ward Populist Club to order at 8 o'clock Saturday evening in the hall over John Considine's variety theater. The room had been 'packed' full, and Considine's lane, the Conroys and a numerous following of rounders were there, with enough votes, they thought, to control the meeting. Numbers of brand new Populists flocked in from the water front, signed the roll, and sat back waiting for the time when their votes would be reached. The hall was crowded, and many of the converts to Populism formed an overflow meeting on the street below.

'Single Tax Tommy' had a straight line as to the scheme, and his friends also were there. The prospect was good for a flood of oratory that would make an ordinary Populist happy for a week. The contest at once began, and the battle was over a question that took the schemers by surprise. Bevan offered his resignation as chairman, and it was accepted. Then, through a preconcerted arrangement, Hugh McGunigal was nominated by the Bevan-Thompson men, while Larkin was put up by Considine's followers. An effort was made to stave off the vote. Repeated motions, amendments and appeals were offered, but the chairman controlled the meeting, though he was forced to declare appeals out of order. After a wrangle lasting an hour Secretary McCartle was called to the chair and Bevan took the floor. He spoke for three-quarters of an hour and struck straight from the shoulder, denouncing in vigorous terms the meeting held in Jordan's office and showing up the deal intended to be made. He said he was not only fighting Considine and the Democrats, but every Populist traitor that had been scheming with them, and he declared that the First Ward Populist Club had an organization that could not be turned over to the Democrats. At times he was interrupted by 'We are the voters,' 'We'll have our chairman,' and other cries hurled at him, but he kept the floor until he had relieved himself of the bubbling eloquence set free by the opposition.

Bevan's speech was of telling effect. After he had yielded the floor Larkin attempted to explain the Collins scheme, but he stammered and lost his head, and the crowd would not hear him. Larkin was followed by Thompson, who had received the special invitation to the private meeting of the self-appointed committee, and he captured the crowd when he told how he had stood up alone in the doctor's office and fought the scheme as a threatened deathblow to Populism.

When the vote was taken McGunigal was elected by a majority of 20, and the lily-faced statesman of the First sadly arose, and followed by his henchmen, withdrew from the room, leaving behind a train of sulphur and a very loud smell.

The remainder of the officers and executive committee were chosen without opposition.

An enthusiastic Populist, speaking of the meeting, said: 'They spent $100 for beer, and it didn't do them any good. Besides they lost $1,000 promised them by the Democratic managers if they could succeed in turning the club. Jordan wants to be the next county treasurer, but this night's work has skinned him so thoroughly he'll never show his face in the First ward again. Why, he drove his carriage up and down the street all the time Bevan and Thompson were knocking him in the head.'

Another one said: 'They wanted to saddle Joe Young on us for auditor or county clerk, but it wouldn't do. He couldn't get a corporal's guard to support him down here. Then they had McDonald for sheriff. Bevan says he isn't a Populist at all, and refused point blank to support him. We all want Bill Cochrane for sheriff. I tell you, Henry man Considine was completely undone.'

After his crushing defeat he met 'Tax Tommy' and called him a stool pigeon for the chief of police, saying that he procured witnesses against the Telegraph when Lugrin was convicted of libel. That makes me laugh.

The present row in the First has already grown to unexpected proportions. It surpasses the break between [—] and the Conroys during the last city campaign.