Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-10-28
OLYMPIA. WASHINGTON TER.
FRIDAY EVEG, OCT. Is, 1881
The Right of Petition.


it duty to approve of the action of
the Legislature in extending to MIR.
Willard and party some recognition
of his services in developing the
latent resources of the Territory, as
well as to afford that gentleman an
opportunity of comforting with the
lawmakers regarding such legisla-
ton as might aid in blending the in
terests of capital and labor. The
position held is that wholesome
legislation will be promoted just
in proportion as the representatives
of the people express and embody
in statutory law the will of their con-
stituencies. 1t is, therefore, OF the
highest importance that this will
should he accurately ascertained,
and oil the aids which may lead to a
thorough understanding of every
subject of legislation should be dill
gently sought by those who desire
or expect to fill satisfactorily the
arduous duties OF legislators.
AIr. Wizards statement was fol-
lowed by immediate legislation in
harmony with his views, which ore
no less the views of the people be-
cause o few years ago they placed
upon the statute books an enact
ment just the reverse of the late bill
repeating the act to prevent extor-
ton. Times have changed; new
conditions, require a different mode
of treatment, and the conservatism
which does not recognize this fact is
but stumbling-block in the path
way of progress. Having thus ac.
corded the Legislature full credit
for the means adopted to arrive ct
q thorough understanding of the
subject upon which they were to
act, we express the hope that they
will be equally considerate on every
subject brought before them for
consideration. The "right of petit
ton" was one deemed of sufficient
importance to be engrafted upon
the Constitution of the United States,
and the principle is the same wheth-
er the will of the people is expressed
in written or oral form.
An instance will serve to illustrate
the importance we attach to this
harmony of action between the peo-
pie and their representatives. A
few days ago the temperance peo-
pie, through organizations repre-
senting the sentiment of q very large
proportion of the people of the Ter
ritory, instituted o course of lectures
upon a subject soon to be brought
before the Assembly for intelligent
action-a subject of sufficient impor-
lance to have warranted a special
recommendation in the message of
the Executive. The members OF the
Legislature were cordially invited to
be present, that they might at least
hear the views O large proportion
of their constituency upon a subject
of vital interest to themselves and
affecting the best interests of the
whole community. Very few of the
members responded to the courtesy
extended them. Why, we know
not. unless it was regarded as an
objectionable presumption on the
part of the temperance organiza-
tons, to gain the ear of the honor
abe representatives outside of the
legislative halls. This view of the
case might find some support, if il
was not well known that every effort
hitherto made to gain hearing on
the floors of the Assembly has met
with a decided repulse. To hire
q hall" seemed the only alternative,
although the precedent has been sci
by Mr.. Wizards address from the
Speakers desk, that the rule is one
which is not without an exception,
when the proper person, though he
may not appear in a representative
capacity, applies. Former Legisla'
lures, with one-thlrd less time O,
their disposal, have allowed Mrs.
Duniway and Miss Anthony to give
their views on impartial suffrage;
Mr.. Utter to discuss the School law,
and Mrs. Packard to urge the pass.
age Of her humane law granting pos.
tai privileges to the insane, but this
seems to afford no precedent for the
present Assembly, except it be in
the notable instance just cited.
It is hoped that the Legislature
will not place itselfin tho unenviable
attitude which may result from a re-
fusal to hear the reasons that may
be given by large number of oul
citizens for favorable action upon
an important measure now before
them. 1t is certainly right that
they should be heard. It is a legiti.
mate way of securing legislation
No man though he be a legislator
can claim that he possesses thorough
knowledge on all subjects. Thos.
who have made specially of gath
ering statistics and data in supper,
of any piven measura aro art;.1.l