Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-12-15
OI.YMPI,. ,SIIi\GTUN TER.
OLYMPIA. FRIDAY NENIM. DEG. IS. l>\
Let lis Talk Common Sense.

Tnr Port TOWNSEND .irq'> has at
last " caught the idea Of the SIAN
pAEr's opposition to Statehood, and
instead of its being " mo>s-back, y
a. that paper had the previous week
solemnly averted. We are now moth
ing better than a party schcmer, who
would check the car of progress un-
less it runs in the ruts leading 10 our
own political heaven of safety.
1t is not denied that political con.
sideration, and even party interests,
are involved in the project, and we
maintain that the purity and depth
of a cherished faith is best indicated
by making it one Of the conditions
of movement of so grave import
ance. The legitimate obj ct of party
organization is to promote the pub
lie welfare. It is only as means O.
accomplishing public good that it
is entitled to either confidence or re-
spect. The -1rgus does not seem to
realize this, and is evidently pos
sessed of the idea that party ma
chinery is only some kind of huge
catapult for shooting aspiring politi-
cians into office.
The party view OF the subject pre-
sents, however, but a single aspect
of The question. The vital inquiry
is: Do we need State Government
noc? The -1rgus says we want re-
lief from state of vassalaSe and
carpet-bag rule. Very true; but
is the necessity just now any greater
than it has been the past ten years,
during which time that journal has
sung peans of praise to these same
carpet-baggers? Can we not endure
it a short time longer, while the
Argis' friends are in office, until our
petition is entitled to respect from
its own merits? Is it desirable Just
at this time while the Republican
party is on the ragged edge, to force
admission, by grossly misrepresent-
ing the wants and wishes of large
proportion of the people Of the Ter
ritory?
A few facts will suffice to rem
der our meaning clear. The prop
osition for holding a convention to
frame State Constitution was car
ried by printing For Constitution"
on the tickets voted at the general
election. The people were remark
ably Indifferent to the subject, not
outstanding there then existed
grand object for setting the ball in
motion. This was to advertise the
Territory and turn hitherward the
tide of immigration which was con-
stantly flowing into California and
Oregon. The vote on the adoption
of the Constitution was also materi-
ally aided by the same means.
Now, however, the conditions have
changed; there no longer exists an
object for haste. The Territory is
filling up rapidly enough for a
healthy growth, and to force it be-
yond its present limits would GER
tainly bring with it the disasters
which attend sudden and radical
change in habits of life.
It seems manifestly unfair for a
Territory falling SO far short of the
requisite population for Represent
alive in the lower branch of Con-
gress, to boldly demand in addition
the same vote in the Senate as is
cast by the five millions of people in
the Empire State. Shall Washing
ton with her 10000 voters, ask more
than has been refused Dakota with
her Al 1000 votes? Will q commits
mission OF two or three from our
Territory accomplish more than the
Committee Of 81 representative men
sent to Washington by Dakota, last
year, to demand admission? Are
our people anxious to try the costly
experiment of lobby influence at
Washington, where Dakotas plethor-
icpurse was overbalanced by the hos
tility of a single Senator, Mr.. Hale,
of Maine?
If, as the Argus affirms, our views
are narrow and selfish, we believe
they are founded upon common
sense, and are much preferable to
that expansive vision of those who
live with their heads above the
clouds. At least, those who follow
the Quixotic task of castle-building
are almost certain to be crushed amid
tumbling ruins.
The HOLIDAY CLAIM.-Ben. Hol-
laday has $35O,OO0 postal service
claim before the Senate, which has
received favorable report from the
committee. This shows what per-
sistent lobbying will accomplish.
This claim has been up in Congress
for years, and has cost an infinite
amount of winiDs and dining, but as
it is now broached SO early in the
session, there is some likelihood of
its being allowed.