The Political Stump in Old Seattle

Last Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, a small audience of ladies and gentlemen assembled in the City Hall to hear Judge Thomas Burke, the Democratic candidate for Delegate to Congress, give the reasons for the faith that is in him. Judge Burke is not a very prepossessing man in appearance. He is shorter by a head than Mr. Caton, of slight build, probably 140 pounds. Mr. Burke appears to be about 40 years of age. His head is large, with thick hair, his brow high and broad, his lower face narrow, his nose pug. His mouth is large and not impressive. His voice is clear and resonant; his enunciation distinct and his language correct. During his speech, he held up his hands in holy horror that the Republicans have seen fit to make speeches during the present campaign. He argued against the arraying of the Eastern against the Western part of the Territory, claiming they were one and he was the man to personate the whole at Washington. He failed to remark that the next Congress, to which Mr. Burke wants to go, will, in all human probability, have a Republican majority in both houses. He said the Chinese question is the biggest boomer a politician ever struck, and then proceeded to work to lead in all its dips, spurs, and ramifications, fairly skirting the real issue. As a whole, the speech made a favorable impression, yet it is a fool’s errand to speak to us when we cannot vote, being disenfranchised for twenty-seven years.