A Customs House Boss and the Fight to Run Washington
A federal deputy collector resigns in Seattle and accuses the custom house crowd of building a machine for Senator Squire.
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.
SEATTLE, Oct. 15.—Upon learning that Collector of Customs Andrew Wasson has assumed the duties of his office at Port Townsend, Deputy Collector John Alexander of this city sent in his resignation in the following letter:
SEATTLE, Wash., Oct. 15, 1891. Hon. Andrew Wasson, Collector of Customs, Port Townsend, Wash.—Sir: I have the honor herewith to tender to the secretary of the treasury, through you, my resignation as deputy collector of customs for this port.
I have no desire to serve under an administration which has disregarded the long and faithful services of Collector Bradshaw in the cause of the Republican party, in order to carry out promises made to legislators who betrayed their constituents and belied their pledges that Colonel Squire might be chosen senator. Yourself and your coadjutors in King and other counties have undertaken, with the aid of the customs service, to lead the party to victory; and I desire to leave you untrammelled so far as this office is concerned.
Squire’s lieutenant in Seattle, Boss McGraw, I understand, has openly stated that, with the aid of the custom house, he could control the politics of the state of Washington. I trust that he will be given “full sweep.” Neither myself nor any of the old settlers who appear to have aroused your bitter antipathy will be in his or your way. Wishing you, personally, all success, I remain yours respectfully, JOHN ALEXANDER, Deputy Collector.
A WARD WORKER’S REWARD. PORT TOWNSEND, Oct. 15.—The resignation of Deputy Collector Alexander of Seattle was received at the custom house this morning. D. S. McKenzie, a well-known real estate man and politician of Seattle, is believed to be selected for the position.
““Squire’s lieutenant in Seattle, Boss McGraw, I understand, has openly stated that, with the aid of the custom house, he could control the politics of the state of Washington.””
The letter describes a familiar pattern: federal patronage used to build a local political machine, with a custom house as the lever. Washington was barely two years into statehood, and fights over appointments and party control shaped the new state’s public life.
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