Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1862-01-11
SATURDAY, JANUARY II. ls6a.
The War On Collector Smith.

SATI RDAl. JAM AK III, iso-
The War On Collector Smith.
Some two weeks since letter was handed
rs from the Collector at Port Townsend. re-
quesin: US to copy q communicated address
I'd By him to the Doesticksinn organ. We
did not publish it as VIC should have done
had it been addressed TO Us, although very
much pressed for room at the time.
The Legislature has seen proper to dispense
with our services, and consequently we are at
liberty to use our columns more for the ac-
commoda.ion of our friends and their local and
personal interests, than it would have been
proper for us to have done had We been con.
tiuued in the Office of Public Printer.
One other consideration has influenced us
to give Mr.. Smith hearing through our col
umns, although still pressed for room: and
that is, the wicked and corrupt combination
that has been formed against him by personal
and political enemies, for the purpose Of ruin
ing his reputation both here and at Washing
ton.
Notwithstanding VIC may have preferred
sour friend Wilson of our own Territory for
the Office Of Collector Of the Puget Sound dis
trict to any man from the States, our failing
in the accomplishment Of our wishes. we were
as willing to have Mr.. Victor Smith for our
Collector as any other man outside Of the Ter
,itory. He came among US as a gentleman of
high character and ability, not only as Col.
lector Of the Puget Sound District, but as the
confidential agent Of the Treasury Department
for the whole Pacific coast. These facts of
themselves were sufficient endorsement for
his integrity and ability as man, and for his
being reliable Republican, whose whole in
fucnce would be used for the best welfare Of
the Government and the interests Of the peo-
pie Of the Territory, without regard to local
interests Or party cliques; and so far as We
know and believe, he has done nothing to dis
appoint these expcctations,-and hence we
conclude he will be in no danger Of suffering
serious permanent injury from the Wholesale
charges Of personal and official dishonesty
charged upon him by the editor Of the North
Wessin late Issue Of his paper. That gen.
tleman has yet to learn land the sooner he
learns it the better for him and the Republi-
can cause which lse processes to have so near
his heart), that characters for honesty and in
acgrity that have been built up in the eastern
communities by the pcrsevering toll Of years,
are not to be swept away at one dash Of the
pen, although it may be welded by the Her
cules Of the editorial corps Of the famed city
Of Port Townsend. We think the Hon. Vic
Tor Smith viii survive these sweeping accu-
cations. notwithstanding they hsve been tacitly
endorsed by a majority of our Legislature.
We incline to the opinion that both Presi.
dent Lincoln and his Secretary. Mr.. Chase,
win at least give Mr.. Smith hearing before
they a1op: - truths the charges Of that
~Phencral and chameleon sheet. the North
West, and which seems to have been resusci-
tatcd from iss supposed slsrp Of death to b.
come the plant mol in the hands Of such lit
Ter enen.ics Of the Republican cause a. Paul
n Hubs, the -eoisaaf Aueric:n." and has
un>crupalsss asd sindicsive associai~.. sss
~ purpose si bisok-hslliag thu penoHal and
o1icis characters Of 'hr Republican appoint
crs 1t the ms-sn; Administrator That
ssch .rn should be gagged in such dirty
~osk. doss not 80 mach surprise us.-bu; thai
-:h~y should receive the AID and eounienance
81 men prsfsrs.e to BE- fr;~sas s the Repsb-
3iesA e,.s<. <a.l shs sh~aA ~ exissn~ly
csssiss hsw dry s.P~ uish ~ Ps.sasl
and O6esal rrPsfasinas a 6evs.,eM p
PoiHss.-l. Is to - u.accoanasble and ineom-
Psxhr.rilas. and Ne fsj sare ~n not br ~
esard - wssai.es.s sih f.ss. vh.ssves
oy b. shssgas d thrir co..s ~ sAr barsa
fis.as # thr Rerassiean esr h shis Ter
Sisosy.
Or esl.nD VII - ePss ~ aisie;aas q
tbe e6eial cssdsct a IN Govesu.-.s sG6crrs.
ns1s vAA asuiss - su6usn shs.s ssthrs
than she p.ai6eatiss II PsssnA nslsc.; M
vs vn - give spses 10 "a Who nay b.
sAss criticised 10 be heard in thar def@nse.
IL ~ hays Drvw dsuiea 70 - Dsmserus;s
eupesiassa1suf e InAisn aHaius. whsse o.
sal es.1scs A-s bs<n suejsrssd to arvas de-
nsn-ia,io, IN the srsNP,ss. provided such