The Political Landscape of Snohomish, 1878
As the November election approaches, the citizens of Washington Territory weigh the merits of local candidates for Sheriff, Auditor, and beyond.
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.
It is but a few short weeks before the electors, who for the next two years will fill the different political offices in this Territory, will be elected. All the different conventions have been held, the nominations made, and it remains only to select from the nominees those who will best represent the interests of all. It was intended, prior to the nominations being made, to give a full biographical sketch of each candidate, but lack of space forbids. There is the candidate for Auditor, the candidate for Sheriff, and others—all of whom have their proponents. Among the candidates for Sheriff, Wm. Whitfield is a native of England, his birthplace being not far from London; yet he has been a resident of this county for over thirteen years and knows every one here. Were it not that he has an extra strong opponent in the person of J. C. Plaskett, the Republican nominee, Mr. Whitfield would not have enough opposition to render his election uncertain. Mr. Plaskett was born in Wayne Co., Penn., in 1846, and has been in this county since 1869. He has worked some five years in logging camps and has been employed at the Snohomish Exchange Hotel about three years. The character he has maintained for himself here will convince voters more than any electioneering of his own.
“The character he has maintained for himself here will convince voters more than any electioneering of his own.”
The 1878 election cycle highlights a classic struggle of 'candidate versus resume' that still defines local politics. Just as voters in Snohomish County weighed personal character and local labor experience (logging and service industry) against professional accolades, modern residents face similar dilemmas when choosing between neighborhood-connected candidates and established political figures.
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