Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1869-02-13
SATURDAY MORNING, FEB. l3, 1869.
What Radicalism has Done for Us.


A New York paper says that Gen. Grant,
a few wecksago, in conversation with Mr.
Amcs. of Massachusetts, declared most en-
phatically that he was opposed to granting
further subsidies. to any of the railroads
to the Pacific, and ASST gncd as reason
that the national finances should be hus-
banded and not wasted. While this de-
sire for rc:renchment is laudable and could
not we'll be ignored by an Executive who
expects the support Of the people, it is not
settled that true economy would sanction
reform in the manner proposed. This po-
sition Of Hiram L. gives the Northern Pa
cifc Railroad quic:us, for time at least,
and all our bright prospects of aid from
that quarter. in the building up our Terri
tory are consequently blighted. When the
Transcript, few weeks ago declared IIol-
laday an enemy to the Northern road, We
did not expect so soon to find greater en-
envy in that papers god, and the great
Mogul of all the Republicans. But so it
is and VIC can derive but a cold comfort in
the hope that Congress may cut loose from
the bands which the President elect even
now seeks to impose upon its action. lie
has, it appears, since his election, lost no
occasion to define his views upon matters,
pending their consideration; nor to use his
influence unsparingly in carrying his
points. The transfer of the Indian Bureau
to the War Depa: -ment has made no head
way, though urged by Grants friends as
the special hobby of their chief. The final
decision of the matter, in its modified form,
is doubtful. This is not the only instance
in which the the President elect has mani
tested an intention of taking the lead in
shaping the legislation of Congress. The
undue haste to hold the reirs Of power has
not been favorabl..- .sceived, and it is not
saying more than appearances warrant
to assert that his influence is already weak
ened. 1t would indeed be unfortunate that
measure of such importance as this should
be defeated by the within which has so sud-
denly possessed Gen. Grant
In this connection, We are forced to re-
feet upon the question, What has the Re-
publican party done Tor the Territory
When that party came into power We had
a semi monthly steamer from California, a
daily mail overland, and an economical sd-
ministration of the public service Now
what have We in its stead! No ocean
steamer, tri-weekly mail overland, and
extravaganza and fraud the rule and not
the exception. We have more: negro sui.
frage has been forced upon an unwilling
people; the will Of the people as expressed
by their legally constituted Representa-
tNes, has been twice set aside BY the die
tum Of Congress. Even the poor laborer
is prohibited from cutting the trees Of the
forest by tax as onerous as it is unjust.
These however sink into insignifcance COM
pared with this browning act of injustice,
the hostility Of the Executive to a work Of
such Importance, and which VIC regarded
as already virtually attained. 1t should
awaken the energies of those who have
so listlessly supported party with no bet
ter record than this. Look at the matter
impartially, and let reason decide if reform
Is not needed.