Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-11-14
OLYMPIA. WASHINGTON TER.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER IA, 1879.
ROnublican RptrenchmPnt.

LESSONS Oh tcoboHi''
ment has been the fright bower,
which has taken many trick that
close inspection of the cards would
have scored against them. Let 1t
be made patent that party scheme
may he promoted, OF an efficient
leader strengthened in his devotion
TO the cause, and there is scarcely
moments hesitation rs to the eXpedl-
ency of placing the public funds
"where they will do the most
good" The action OF both branches
of the Legislature on the bill to IN
crease the salary of the Territorial
Auditor. is an instance in point.
The House Committee recommended
through their Chairman, Mr.. lay
lor. an increase from 81 600 to ST.
7OO-two hundred of which, to
make it more palatable, was covered
up under the garb of compensation
for incidental expenses OF the OF
fee" But the pill was too large for
even Republican throat to swallow,
and the House refused to accept the
Recommendation III full, leaving the
amount for the salary at which it
had been, 81 900, but adopting the
suggestion of 5000 appropriation
for incidentals. In the Council, Il
substitute for the original bill was
passed fixing the salary at 81, 2OO,
with $500 for incidental EXPENSES.
This action of the majority of the
Council VAS taken Notwithstanding
Mr.. La Du maze the statement that
the present Territorial Auditor did,
while a member of the Council, two
years ago, declare that the duties OF
the Office We're worth no more than
$500, and he would gladly perform
such services for that sum. Mr.. Nc
Glynn insisted that something was
due to the dignity of the Office; that
the Auditor must necessarily live
in better style than common labor
er, and his eloquence carried the
day and the Council passed the sub
stitute.
While the bill was under consid-
Grafton in the House, Mr. Taylor APP
pealed to Republicans, us partisans,
to support the recommendation OF
the committee, and was SO far sue
cessful as to get " 81 400" inserted,
but through parliamentary jangle
afterwards this action was reconsid-
cred and the proposition voted down.
The speeches of the members favor
ing the bill, betrayed utter ignorance
of the duties of the Office, or will.
full desire to misrepresent the
amount of labor incident thereto.
1t was claimed that it was quite as
onerous rs the duties of book
keeper in mercantile establishment,
or the clerk of bank, when the fact
is that one or two hours day will
cover all the time necessarily devot-
ed to auditing the Territorial &C.
counts. 1t was asserted that the
duties incident to preparing and
mailing blanks for the county Offices
was an extra duty of great magni-
tude, when single day each year
would be amply sufficient for this
labor; that it was the Auditors duty
to adjust and credit cost-bills in
criminal cases, requiring extensive
legal knowledge and great ability,
when the law makes it the special
duty of the Treasurer to perform
that duty. In fact all the i" argu-
ments" used in support OF the meas
ure were of this same fimsy text
IRE, and only intended to ease the
conscience of those who could hear
the faint whisperings of the inward
monitor.
The climax of this extravaganza
and favoritism was reached, however,
when in obedience to caucus reso.
luton, the majority not only in
creased the pay of the Auditor $500,
but gave him $500 I" back paw" "A
direc; transportation of 81 800,
and free gilt of 81, 200 more than
the present incumbent asked for his
services two years ago.
This is but single instance of tue
disposition manifested to reward
parry favorites which became SO
marked, near the close of the session