, 1875-02-04
For the Dispatch.
"Spuds." OF the Standard, I'M
der Suspicion.


Forthe Dispatch.
"Spuds. OF the Standard. I'M
der Suspicion.
Our attention has been called to an
article in the Washington Standard Of
October II, 1874. as suggesting prob
able reason for Murphy's present posi-
tion. and why his paper and himself
now stand ready to hound and black
guard anybody at the beck and call of
Hill Harmon, even though it be those
whose only offense is, their humane eff
forts to correct alleged abuses of the
pcor inmates of the Insane Asylum.
The following is literal copy of the
article referred to:
How THE PEOPLE ARE MADE TO PAY
TRIBUTE the nomination of Ja-
cobs by the Portland Vancouver Conven-
tion, large number of sore-heads were
visible, and prominent among them the
long and shrewd cdput of one of the
owners of the Courier printing g establish
Haent. He declared that the paper should
not support Jacobs while it remained
under his control, and only consented
to its endorsement of the nominee on
condition that his interest should be
purchased outright by stated time.
The sale was effected rs stipulated, by
Messrs. Harmon, Ferry and McMicken
becoming joint owners by purchase in
the Courier establishment.
Il is easy enough to account for the
manner in which Office holders may
raise " cczyuption fund.-" to subsidies
newspapers. bat Why Hill Harmon
should manifest SO much zeal to appro-
pirate his own money to such an object
. needs q word of explanation.
It is probably not generally known,
Mr.. Harmon, as contractor for keeping
the Insane patients. has about the
"softest thing" in the Territory. Nor
is it understood that the contract was
awarded to him as party favorite. at a
higher rate of compensation than the.
bid Of at least one responsible party.
Why this was done, we believe that
present circumstances afford full and
satisfactory answer. 1t was literally In
Republican parlance to place money
"where it would do the most good. =
Hence we find Mr. Harmon, forward in
the cause, his pockets lined with green
backs to buy printing offices, hire edit
ors, purchase votes, or do anything else
which party necessity "may require"
There is however an additional incentive
for party zeal in the present campaign.
Mr.. Harmon's contract expires in Au-
gust, 1875, and TO keep it at the present
lucrative figures, for an indefinite peri
cd, requires the election of Legisla-
ture which may not be influenced by
certain modern ideas advanced by the
Medical Association of the Territory,
who are using every effort 10 place the
Asylum under the system of manage
ment adopted by similar institutions in
the older States. 1t is arranged that
Mr.. Harmon or some friend of his, will
be the Republican candidate for Coun-
Gilman in the district composed of the
counties of Pierce. Mason and Chehalis,
SO that he will have representative in
the next Assembly. whose special duty
it shall be to advance his personal inter-
ests. as well as that other object of par
amonnt importance, the interests of the
great Republican party of the Territory.
This explanation will shed some light
upon a subject which has hitherto been
shrouded in mystery.
It will show the people of PIT rec,
Mason and Cheha2is counties why such
a decided interest is felt in their local
politics, and how it is expected they are
to be used to advance the mercenary
objects of Tiry politician, and, or the
same thing, afford a perpetual corrup-
ton fund to carry on elections, drawn
directly from the pockets of our citizens.
Forewarned is forearmed. If they now
aid the plot, they do it with their eyes
open.
The usual GINNING of the editor of
the Standard, it seems, has deserted
him. The time was when money could
not have bought Mr.. Murphy to have
PLACED himself in SO ridiculous light
before the public as that he now appears
in by the present attitude of himself
and his paper in reference to Mr.. Hill
Harmon and other Insane Asylum af-
fairs, when considered in connection
with the above warning, given to the
public last October.
Murphy was then evidently with the
Medical Association in their endeavor
to afford relief for, and better the condi>
tion of the poor insane patients. He
said Harmon s pockets "were lined with
greenbacks to buy printing Offices, hire
editors, purchase ,otes," etc. That
"soft thing" had been given to him,
and in various ways throughout the en-
tire article evinces his hostility to Mr..
Harmon's schemes, and did not want
the people to be duped by contributing
in any way to continue his contract for
keeping the insane, and thereby be used
"to advance the mercenary objects of
wiry politician. and afford perpetual
corruption fund.-" etc.
It is clearly apparent now that Muir
ply and his paper have whirled into
line, and are leaving nothing undone or
unsaid that can tend to assist Harmon
in any way. and cast suspicion upon
the integrity of the motive and the pur>
ity of the intention of the medical asso-
citation, in the efforts they have made in
the interests of the insane. The ink
upon the paper containing the foregoing
article assailing Harmon was hardly dry
before news is received that Harmon is
o member of the next Legislature. and
that he has interviewed his late enemy,
Mr.. Murphy. and that they have kissed
and made up!
Now what does all this mean? Why
this sudden change in Murphy Why
this somersault in the Washington Stand
ard ? have any of the greenbacks that
Murphy said lined Harmon's pockets to
hire editors and buy newspapers with.
gone into the plethoric purse of Mr..
Murphy ? Has the removal of the
Courier printing press that Murphy said
Harmon, Ferry and McMicken had
Aoueht. into Murphy's building and the
<,-k o~rth. ou fo Io Nth