Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-11-11
OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON TER.
FRIDAY ENE'G, NOV. IL, 1881,
The Governors Slate.

sound discretion or political sagacity
in the nomination made last Thurs
dav for Territorial officers. The fact
that they ware Immediately and
unanimously confirmed by the Coun-
Gil, in executive session, possesses
no special significance, as almost
any slate submitted to a cabinet of
advisers three-fourths of whom were
in political accord with the Govern
or and the remainder more anxious
to conciliate the coordinate and
cooperative branch Of the Territori-
al government and representing the
Government of the United States, -
than to interpose objections to an
inevitable result, would have met
with the same reception. matters
not whether fealty to principle or a re-
gard for its triumph sometime in the
future sanctioned this departure
from party usage or not, different
course could scarcely have been ex-
pected from those who have not al
luded to Democracy during the SEES
sion except by way of jest. There is
some compensation, however, in the
reflection that such partisans will be
our most devoted and self-sacrifcing
patriots when the party comes into
power.
The claim has been urged with
great persistency that the present
incumbents of the two principal Off
ces have been faithful in the dis
charge of duty, but this if admitted,
does not carry with it a conviction
that there may not he other Just as
deserving men who would have
filled the places with just as much
credit to themselves and profit to
the Territory. Nor does it follow
that because an individual discharges
his duty in accordance with the
plain provisions of law, for which
he receives stipulated and liberal
salary, that lie obtains thereby a
lien upon the Office which must for
ever bar other aspirants for the place.
Such policy, once inaugurated
would lead to the recognition of a
privileged class of official parasites,
or drones, who in the course OF
time would claim a hereditary right
to loll at their ease, performing but a
few hours labor each week at dou-
BILE the pay of the common laborer
who foots the cost from the meagre
earnings of ten hours daily Of unre-
hitting toll. The people owe no
obligation to any fice-holder after
paying him his salary, which he
gladly receives; and the feeling Of
gratitude, if any should exist after
the debt is Cancelled, might more pro.
perly be felt by him who has been
enabled to made an easy livelihood,
with plenty of time to attend to other
lucrative business and talk politics
in the bar-room. That neither OF
the gentlemen who have received
the paying Offices of the Territory
would have been the choice of the
people is very generally conceded.
The appointment of Mis-, Newell
as Librarian, is one which will moi
surprise the people, when they re-
feet that the Governor stripped of
his coat and pitched into politics the
day after he had set foot in the
Territory. Nepotism is intolorable
in its mildest form, but when, as
under the new regime, not only the
principal officers of the Territory
are imported from across the plains,
but subordinate places under the
Executive and marine revenue SELL
vice are filled by relatives, the sturdy
pioneers may we'll exclaim: How
long! o Lord, how long must such
policy be patiently endured?
The Trustees of the Hospital for
the Insane, are the old board, al
though charge of extravaganza in
the expenditures for the institution
has been preferred by Republican
Council, and is now the subject of
Investigations charge of sufficient
gravity, by the way, to warrant the
adjournment of the Legislature
while the committee is absent taking
testimony.
The remainder of the appointees,
to fill honorary positions, are men
who have been used as hobs to
Ferry's kite for years, with two
notable exceptions-two members of
the Assembly-who, propriety sug-
gests, should have been left to bear
the honors of Legislative dignity un-
trammeled. They were doubtless
named for the same shrewd PURPOSE
that wine is sometimes used at din.
ner parties, to make the whole thing
slip down easily and to aid digestion.
The political significance of the
whole matter is vague as to detail,
but plain enough as to the objective
point. Whether the Governor has
adopted the Napoleonic tactics,
divide and conquer" or stands
:,O 18Th a., Eorrx, -, Co,otor:oI