The Governor's White Elephant and a Newspaper Deal

The Tacoma Globe of today has a column article on 'A New Political Combination,' telling of a scheme concocted to boom Mayor Barry White of Seattle for the governorship by the proposed purchase of Governor Ferry's plant in this city, known as the Daily Olympian, by Col. Thomas Henderson Boyd. The article is in the shape of an interview with a Tacoman:

'Will the governor withdraw entirely from the ownership of the paper?' asked the reporter of the Globe.

'Ostensibly, yes; although he may retain an interest, confidentially, and thus contribute a share toward its support. The purchase price, $2,500, is nominal—a mere bagatelle—in comparison with the expense of keeping the craft afloat. The governor is manifestly tired of footing the bills alone for the keep of a white elephant.'

'Granting all this, what particular significance will attach to this deal, providing it is consummated?'

'Primarily, this: Fred Grant is already in the swim as a candidate for lieutenant governor, and has a powerful following in King county. That he is the favorite of the Post-Intelligencer is generally understood. Naturally, the booming of White for governor by one faction and Grant by another, both being King county men, would create dissension in the republican household there, as a blind man might discern the impracticability of seeking to secure both places on the state ticket. The old cry would be revived in the other counties that King county wants the earth, and the effort to secure both nominations, if persisted in, would create a prejudice, hazarding any chance that King county might have of securing either.'

'The movement, then, is not popular in King county?'

'Not so long as Fred Grant is presumably in the race.' This last assertion was made with emphasis, indicating a strong conviction as to its accuracy.

Relative to the Spokane parties supposed to be in the combination, the Tacoman thinks there are no politicians from that city in it, but there is a possibility of Judge Turner and J. Z. Moore going into it, the former for senator and the latter for supreme judge.

'Do you mean to imply, then, that the full scope of the combination has not been decided upon?' said the reporter.

'Yes; and more than that, the money is not yet in sight. Almost anybody can buy a newspaper, but it requires big money to keep it going, especially if it is designed as a political power, necessitating a good appearance.'

In closing the conversation the gentleman added:

'Whatever conclusions may be reached by the combination, if it is effected, it will create a rumpus in King county. A majority of the republicans there are in favor of harmonizing all the hitherto discordant elements, selecting one man for a place on the state ticket and working for his nomination. Hence, any attempt to revive old factional differences, or create new ones, will be frowned upon as detrimental to the best interests of the party in King county.'

IT IS MOONSHINE.

Seattle Telegraph: Governor Ferry, who owns the Olympian, seems likely to get out of it luckily, leaving Thomas Henderson Boyd to hold the bag. It seems that Boyd has bought, or is about to buy, the paper for $2,500, a top-notch price. It will certainly make it lively, and the presumption is that it will not enthusiastically whoop up Boss McGraw and the old ring, as Boyd has been very shabbily treated by that selfish circle. The story that Boyd is 'backed by Seattle and Spokane capital' in his newspaper venture is moonshine. He seems to be taking the risk on his own account. All the capital that these politicians put up to back a paper is, as in the case of the Port Townsend Leader, secured in the shape of a mortgage, and the alleged beneficiaries are backed out when no longer useful.