Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1888-10-12
OLYMPIA. WASHINGTON TER.
OLYMPIA. FRIDAY EVENING, OCT. u, 1883
A Long Essay on a Short Subject.

Ii any proof was needed of the wan
ing strength of the Republican party
in this county, it was afforded by the
meeting held Tuesday night. The
audience numbered less than sixty per-
sons, and about one-half of these we've
Democrats and Prohibitionists, drawn
thither simply through curiosity.
There was scarcely any of the element
present that could be classified as the
unknown quantity" from which both
of the great parties expect to enlist re-
cruits. After deducting the acknowl-
edged opponents, there remained in
deed pitiful showing for the party
which, under the old-time leadership
of such men Ferry, Strive, Evans and
other talented partisans, could have
commanded a hall-full of people at an
hours notice.
The first speaker Of the evening was
the Rev. L. J. Carver, of the Congre-
gational church, O gentleman who
obligingly loans his sacerdotal robes to
cover up the faults and frailties of
those whose cause he espouses. He is
ambitious. He likes to pose before the
public and listen to the dulcet strains
OF his own voice. Last winter, by
protesting sympathy for Democratic
principles. he received every vote OF
that party for Chaplain of the Coun-
Gil, and afterwards solicited the ap-
pointment of Librarian from our Dem
ocratic Governor, as a mugwump or
no-party man.
Had not the term as Chaplain ended,
or had that Of Librarian began, it is
safe to assume that he would not now
be making an effort to climb the Shiny
rounds Of the Republican party ladder
and making himself ridiculous by his
high tariff psrrot-talk.
Mr.. Reynolds, the candidate for Pros
ecuting Attorney, had, of course, a
right TO be heard. He appeared before
the people as suppliant for favor, and
it was proper that they should have an
opportunity for forming an opinion Of
his ability and fitness for the Office.
He confined himself mainly to dis
cussion of the tariff question, and sue
ceeded in setting forth some very orig
inal IDEAS on that subject. He insist
ed that there was no such commod-
ity as "raw material" to put ON the
free list. He held that the moment an
ak touched tree in the process of
Underwriting, it ceased to be raw
material, and the very day the fleece
began to appear on the back of the
sheep, labor was one of the elements
that entered into its development and
production. He believed in protection
in its most radical sense, and just in
proportion as he leaned forward on that
subject, he insisted that the Democrats
should lean in the opposite direction.
The sublime impudence Of such an as
sumption did not seem to occur to him,
as he went on to declare the Democrat
ic platform to he free trade paper.
But he ran upon an unexpected snag.
Mr.. Borden, the Prohibition candidate
for Sheriff, happened to be in the
audience, and he very quietly and re-
spectfully. but, it must be admitted,
firmly, demanded the reading of the
free trade plank in that document.
Certainly" said Mr.. Reynolds, with
every appearance of ready compliance.
=" Certainly; it is always well to be sup
piled with the proof in matters Of inn
portance. have the PLATFORM" (and
he fumbled in his left breast pocket)
"and l will read from it" Feeling in
his right breast pocket. at is plain
declaration Of that principle" (rum-
maging in his coat-tail poaket). al
will get it" (runs finger in his vest
pocket) "and read to you just what the
Democratic platform says" Crosses
the water pitcher, glasses, ETC., about |
on the table and finally produces his |
pocket scrap-book). eyes, I will read
It to you" Clips over the leaves vigor-