Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-01-07
oLYIPIA, SATURDAY MORNING, jim. I, 1871.
What is Democratic Doctrine3

Wn8t IL UemOCI8tlC OOCtI1ucs
An old Democrat, for whose ability and
political consistency We have profound
veneration, arraigus us for departure
from Democratic doctrine in advocating
municipal aid to railroad. There are
many others Of the old-style Democrats
who undoubtedly holdto his views, and in
the main we coincide with thcm. In this
instance We do not We make the dis.
tinction between tho use and the abuse Of
. principle. The main thing contended
for by the Democratic party is municipal
independence, as vital to the protection Of
personal liberty; and strict construction
Of delegated powers, as a bulwark against
the tendency Of power to Capitalization and
aggrandisement. That people are incapa-
be Of self government who cannot safely
be trusted with the regulation Of their own
municipal affairs, aud in the administra-
ton Of the same, the end to be sought ac-
cording to Democratic theory is, the great
est good to the greatest number, without
Injustice to any. We deny and deprecatc
the right Of the Federal Government to
enter any State for the purposes Of internal
inprovemeut at the expense Of the citizens
Of other States, or to confer upon citizens
Of any State or Territory Of the United
States special grants or .immunities not
ameuable to the local authorities of the
same. We deny and deprecate the right of
State to confer special privileges, to be
exercised within any lesser municipality
. without the consent of the same, or to ap-
propriAte from the general fund aid to q
special work of Improvement in the bene-
Gts Of which all portions Of the State do
not share. We are, in fine, uualterably
opposed to special grants, privileges or i'm
nunities BY which the whole people are
taxed for the exclusive benefit of the few.
After many explanations, We are yet un.
able to understand upon what principle Of
equity, or under what Democratic doctrine,
The Demecr,tic Legislature Of Oregon
granted loan out Of the common treasury
81 $500, 900 to private corporation to i'm
prove the navigation Of the Willamette
river and collect tolh from the same, re-
fused like grant Of = much less amount
Tor wagon road connecting the eastern
With the western portion of the State, and
defeated BY Executive veto . bill for an
set authorizing the people Of Portland to
tax themselves To aid in the construction
sfs railroad for their own benefit. We
. not condemn the Stste loan 70 the Viii.
hnstte Improvement Company its impor-
sssce and benefits to the State at large may
have justified the loan. We do not know
that the projected wagon road which asked
aid had like claim TO public consideration I;
bat Ne do not recognize the Democratic
principle Of denying to the municipality of
Portland the right to do for themselves in
the way Of internal improvements what the
Sad assumed the right to do for others, or
usdsutapd Why the denial of the right 10
ess case and - assumption 10 tho other
should Be elassed together a. 10 accord
aece With Democratic doctrine.
We sdvocate and defend Democratic
dectrise just 40 far - it is consistent with
eooDou sense, and no farther. No form
Il Government can be maintained without
ssos surender Of personal rights for the
common benefit. When tits provided that
private property shall not he taken for
public ne without just compensation, the
sit;sss has al the protection consistent
viii tss pablo interests, and il is entirely
sesPstast for the sovereign people of bis
vieisags 10 determine when and how this
psblie eostrol over his private property
shsll Be exercised; else the municipality
vssN b utterly povsrless to make any
peb6s isprovsaests-rosds, bridges, pub
IL bsilaisp, erasy other necessary expeu-
dissrss. II IL people Of Olympia and
1Ssrstss county have right to tax them