The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-09-03
THE WEEKLY iNTELLlGENCEx
Monday. September 8, 1877.
OUGHT NOT TO BE DONE

twithstanding the coceat which
was given in the coude mnatory action
OF the Grand Jury, we understand that
an order ha, issued for the psymen. Of
the 5000 of county funds recently APP
propria,ed by tae commissioners for tl'e
purpose of sending some one to lobby
aginst the anticipated demands Of the
Northern Pacific Railroad.
Without arguing the expediency or
proprie,y of the object proposed, we
again enter our protest against this I'M
just perversion Of the peoples money
30 hardly wrung from their hard toll
and SO sorely needed at home.
There is u question about the best
way to effect the desired end. We saw
little Indian boy put chip on the
track in front cf the down train; but it
didn't stop her When the flood is mp
in Duwamish it lifts worm fences, brush,
and most anything else that gets in the
way without making two bites of it.
The tide Of national sentiment which
is registered in the votes of the House
oil Representatives. that will rise strong
enough to carry through any schemes
Of further government relief in behalf
of tho Northern Pacific or Texas Pa
cidc, or any other such enterprises will
hardly DE controlled by our envoy ex-
traordiDary. For any measure of popu-
lar benefit the press eau be enlisted.
Better employ the appointed means
which exist ready at hand than resort
to the expensive and inadequate
method Of sending q lawyer to lobby
and bull-dosc the government. Ii
you would touch the springs that move
public opinion, use the printing press
the modern tribune Of the people,"
which can do more in week, ito put
the facts" than our irregular messen-
ger could do in year travelling about
the streets Of Washington soliciting
busy statesmen to listen to his grew
ance.
But. be this as it may, the commits
sioners have no right to lawfully mis-
direct the public funds for any such
extraordinary purpose. Conceding the
worthiness Of the object, the end does
not justify the means. There is no
limit to the frauds that might be per-
petrstcd if that infamous maxim OF
plunderers and tyrants be- accepted as
sound and just policy. Do not evil
that good may come. The custodians
Of public funds raised by law to be
disbnrsed for certain necessary and
proper public purposes, have no right
to saDsidize lobbyists with those funds
under any pretcxt.
We will do more, anyway, by attend
ing to our own business at home. de-
vStVRAoS Jul 0Wh ASsouaSNS aaA RoShihH
our own railroad. Other interests will
then take care Of themselves. They
cannot get our lands unjustly without
committing fraud Thea we have our
redress a. the public tribunals of
the nation. Fraud invalidates
everything on which rests the
smell of its faint. We cannot
get what governm ent lands we have left
improved for the want of passabls roads,
which il il the business Of the commits
sioner to open. The settlers on some Of
the richest lands in the county. have
for years had to pack their -four and
bacon on their backs over many long
and weary miles for want of decent
pack trail.
Therefore, let not this diversion Of
the public money 60 on. The people
viii not always b plundered with im-
punity. To the man who shall take
this Money wrongfully withdrawn. and
to all concerned in perpetrating the in
jury, We say: Better q milestone were
hanged about your necks aud YOU wers
cast into the sea" il will be the war
rant Of your political doom. Voters Of
King Co. and working men, guard your
property. guard the living Of your
fsnilies and the education Of your chill
drso. now and always. by opposing any
unlawful appropriation of the public