Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-10-29
Come, Let us Reason Together.

CITIZENS OF THuRsroN COUNTY: Mr..
Billings, the Republican candidate
for Sheriff, in his "open letter" OF
the 18th instant. while admitting all
that has been charged against him
as reason why he should not be re-
elected to Office, tries to excuse his
conduct and official acts, by blaming
others and pleading ignorance. The
law, reason, and common sense,
hold every man, and more especially
an official. responsible for his acts,
and such ignorance, is no excuse fol
violation of the law, unless insanity
can be proved. The Republican
candidate don't claim to be insane.
He is, however, just mad enough to
want the Office. He tries to turn
the votes and the public off his track,
I by turning their, attention aos1ail.
road matters. T'ha facts Of tho cnsc
are these: Thurston, with other
s,s as:sisssy vUiieCt t sssg &c rlix 1oi
the N. p. r. Il. Co. because the as
sessment was not made in accord
ance with law. The N. p. r. r.
Co.. to avoid litigation, offered to
settle on a basis Of three per cent. of
their earning. The county refused
.he offer OF The railroad, went into
court and came out beaten, on the
ground that the assessment was not
in accordance with law. This was a
test case, after which the counties
agreed to settle and did settle on the
basis proposed by the Railroad Com
pany Now, if the N. P. R. R., as
asserted by Mr.. Billing, was exempt
from taxes, would it have paid any
at all after gaining its case in court
Now, voters, reason little and you
will say no. The N. p. took advan-
tage OF the grave negligence OF the
county officers, and Notwithstanding
this contest. he again failed in the
duties OF his office IN the matter 1T
the @. and r. r.. r. This Latter
company took advantage of the de-
fects pointed out in the case Of the
N. P. r. r., but they were more
liberal. They offered to settle at
the rate Of 81 per cent of their earn
ings. The county officers refused to
see their mistake md insisted on
selling the road. for taxes. They
sold it. The company refused to
give up the property, holding that
the assessment and sale we're not in
accordance with law. but would set
tie with the county on fair and
reasonable basis. The officers re-
fused. They went into court, and
at great expense to the public, pub
lished their own ignorance and in
capacity. Mr.. Judson, as the At
torney of the company, simply did
his duty as such. He defended the
company against the illegal acts Of
incapable public officers. In this
connection. the following statement
knocks the only remaining prop from
Mr.. Billings position:
OLYMPIA. Oct. q, 1850.
As Ira Ward, q partner of mine In busi-
ness, has dragged my name into the p0;lt-
ical squabble, to the great injustice OF Mr..
J. p. tudson, feel that in justice to him
ought to make the following statement
of facts:
He is mistaken. There toas nearly
money enough raised TO pay the railroad
tax, II, case It was wanted. Mr.. Ward is
entirely mistaken when he intimates there
was not. J. p. Judson, the compaLy's at.
torney, advised that II there were no out
side bidders, for the company not to bid
on the road, MS the proceedings together
with the assessment roll were Illegal, and
they could not collect the tax. Mr.. Jud.
son, as q director and stockholder. never
did repeatedly advise, and in fact urge, the
directors to settle the matter in some way
hy which the county would get her taxes,
and the company be freed from the an
noyance. w. II. MIIChELL.
II is an extraordinary thing to hear