Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-02-17
OLYMPIA, SATURDAY MORNING. FEB. II, 1S72.
MAIN STREET AND IT'S MALIGNERS.
IT.. H., L., Il ,,.on - coz, tbo

past few months about the conuitlon OF
Main Street, and has INDUCED in coarse
abuse of the town authorities to its hearts
content, simply because they could not
make water run up hin or mud-holes dis
appear at their bidding. A brief reply is
designed, although it may, as with the
backwoods legislator, " wrench US terribly
to kick at nothing" We propose, like,
wise, to state some very unpalatatlc truths,
seasoned with few grains Of wholesome
advice, which We believe it would be well
for the Disconnected crew who have been
so often beaten in their efforts to "run" the
town, to heed.
The assertion of the Transcript that
Main Street is in worse condition than
any portion of the road between this place
and Monticello, is simply false. 1t is ut
tered with just about the consideration or
respect for truth that is manifested by that
journal in many Of its political articles in
which it unhesitatinsly assumes that no
man who does not belong to its little coterie,
and revolvc around Thompson's Colt"
as its central lumiuary, is Republican or
entitled to seat among the blest. This
course, so long pursued, has been attended
by the usual results, and the conscieuccs
Of the editors of that journal are SO COM
pletely caloused that truth or fiction is
accepted with equal confidence that it will
serve their purpose.
Main street, We are prepared to prove by
impartial witnesses, is in as good state
Of repair now, and has been throughout
the inclement season, as it has been any
previous winter. But little money has
been expended upon it, we admit, aud
that more appropriated for that pur-
pose would have improved it, we do not
deny; but the present Board of Trustees
recognized the fact that many Of our citi-
Ieus reside On other streets than the main
thoroughfare, who have paid taxes ever
since the town was incorporated and never
received the benefit of one cent from the
public expenditures on the streets in which
their interests we're centered. They re.
garded the opening of Franklin, Jefferson
aud Adams Streets as necessity. which
the rapidly extending town limits impera-
lively demanded, and the acceleratiou that
was impaired by the street extensions, has
more than demonstrated both the wisdom
and justice of the policy. The principal
property owners on Main Street we're not,
as general thing, in favor of the usual
temporary Improvements, and manifested
decided preference for delay of as much
of the work as was possible until the rail-
road prospects were further developed.
No man Of ordinary sense will question
the good, sound, practical, common sense
Of this course.
In the days Of blood,shed, everything
was denominated treason that was not done
at the special instance and dictation of the
loyal crew. Probably the opinion still oh.
tains, among few aunkys who came here
with but shirt to their backs, and who
have since, by wildcat speculations, Off.
cial corruption aud bribery, and the usual
demands and appliances of Shylock,
amassed few thousand dollars. If it is
"treasos" to admit that citizens who may
not own bank-stock, wildcat town sites. or
augers for boring pump-logs, have political
rights, We accept the condition and bid
them make the most of it. If it is
treason" to differ with the Hon. E. L
Smith that capital should control NUM-.
cipal elections" and that the poor man
should be deprived of voice in the man.
agement Of his most immediate interests,
then We plead guilty to the Indictment.
If it is treason" to advocate the right of
poor men to vote at all elections, and
exercise an equal voice in all interests
affecting the veal Of the Nation, the State,
the country, the precinct or town, then we
accept the situation and signify willing
ness to abide all its penalties.
Those who have closely noted the course
Of events, will not be at loss to discover
the incentive which has prompted the
representatives of Thurston county in the
Territorial Legislature to override the
will of the majority of the people Of the
town, as expressed by their solemn protest,