Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1873-03-22
#ashinetun Standard.
O0r Agents.
OLYMPIA. SATURDAY MORNING. IAR. q, 1878
THE TOWN ELECTION.

1t is proper that our citizens should
beyin to consider the policy they in
tend, by their election of Board of
Trustees on the 7th prpx., to adopt for
the ensuing year. The time that re-
mains before election is not more than
is necessary for thorough canvass of
sentiment for the purpose of uniting
upon candidates that will render it eff
fective. Close observers of events,
those whose experience entitle their
opinions to respect, have remarked that
crisis is imminent in our municipal
affairs, and that our town will advance
or decline as the action of its Trustees
and the degree of enterprise mani
tested by its citizens must determine.
1t is no more than just to all parties
desiring TO engage in business Oh to orig
mate enterprises that will benefit the
whole community, to require some as
surance that their efforts will be second
ed by public improvements of cores
ponding utility. The best way of
securing this confidence is by placing
the administration of public affairs into
safe hands, of entrusting it to men of
good judgment, acknowledged ability,
with the nerve to carry out a progressive
policy, despite the opinions of old 70.
gies or the croakings of the penny-wise
barnacles that impede efforts made for
self-preservation.
So many of our western cities owe
their origin to powerful local advantages
or other fortu;tous circumstances, that
it seems almost impossible to instill any
general idea of, Or hope for, a growth
not based upon some such external
cause. The anticipation of benefits tc
be derived from o railroad has been q
curse to every town on the Sound thai
has been mentioned as possible point
for railroad connection. 1t has devel
oped generation of Micawbers in oul
midst, and turned the money thai
should have been employed for years
past in building cities and developing
the resources of the country into re-
serve funds for speculative purposes
awaiting the tardy action of the railroad
directors. 1t is hoped that our people
will see the folly of longer INDUCING
such delusive dreams. The Railroad
Company is complicated machine
with wheels, and wheels within wheels
passing the comprehension of men moi
schooled in the secret workings of great
corporations. The policy is generally
a "grab' game, in which only the com
pany and its favorites are privileged t.
take chance.
1t is believed that the first public i'm
proyement that should be undertaken
by the new board of Trustees should
be a wharf to deep water. This is
necessity that cannot longer be ignored
We all agree on this point. 1t is need
ed let the action of the railroad direct
ors be what it may. If the branch i
built to Budd's Inlet, the owners O
property at the present site can readil,
perceive that its construction is an i'm
perative necessity. If the decision O
the company is against US, the contin
ued prosperity of the town no less de
ponds upon its possessing equal conven
fences with rival points. So palpable i
this want, we believe that it will readil,
be accepted as an issue in the ap
preaching election. If the Board il
pledged to this action, we have no fear
but that means will be devised to &c
complish the object. "Where there i
will, there is a way" and men o
common sense can find it.
We invite the public to make know
their views through our columns O,
this question as we'll as others that hav
been, or may be-. suggested. But
short time remains till control of thes
matters will have passed from the peopl
to their representatives-the Board O
Trustees. Shall We not by our vote
indicate lire policy and elect men t.
pledged to carry it into effect?
The RAnRoAD.-It will be seen b
advertisement published in anothe
column, that Chief Engineer Robert
will receive bids till the LIST prox., 70
clearing and grubbing forty miles, iron
Tenino northward. This will be cheer
ing news to the hundreds of person
now out Of employment, and will re
1iove in a mao c,,ro1,Io Jor~-oo A. $4,000.