Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1888-11-02

IiUSt VIII dSplic W SSotS III NV ANSi~
lative halls should be men with some
idea of the difference between right and
wrong, and of enough ability and edu-
cation to frame statute in accordance
with the forms OF law. He should
have no personal axes to grind, nor
individual interests to subserve which
will not be of paramount benefit to
the constituency he represents. He
should be man who can respect pri-
vate rights when brought in conflict
with the aggressive demands OF capital
and corporate influence. He should
be a man of enough moral principle to
stand by the right because it is right,
and to cast his vote fo- the people and
against schemes and schemers.
This duty does not apply to our
lawmakers alone. The best OF princi-
pies may be embodied in legal enact
ment, and fail from the inability or
indifference of those charged with the
administration or execution of the law.
This is specially true of such executive
officers as the Sheriff, who at times
possesses almost unlimited power in
shaping decisive results. The patron
age of his Office and the favors that
may be shown his henchmen as tax
collector, constitute basis of immense
political leverage, which may be
shrewdly used, in connection with
party machinery, to prolong the ten
ure of Office lifetime, against the pro-
tests of those who have the well-being
of the social fabric at heart, and in de-
fence Of that rule which would secure
the greatest good to the largest num-
Der. The very form of election be-
comes farce when a man, by care
lessness in discharge of duty or by
special favor, makes the law one thing
for his friend and another thing for his
neighbor. Taxation is q burden that
is only patiently borne when it falls
upon all alike. The very essence OF
its justification, is that it shall be uni.
form in application, and that the pen
alties imposed may not be suspended
or evaded by a chosen few whom the
tax-collector may place upon his list
of personal or political friends.
No man of ordinary intelligence
who has resided in this county any
length of time. can lay his hands upon
his heart and say he does not believe
this has been the uniform practice o.
the present incumbent. If he doubts
the record will afford abundant proof
If one man may claim an extension oil
time beyond that in which publica
ton of sale of delinquent taxes il
made, another has just as valid righ
to such consideration. If Mr.. s. N
Cooper, in 1882, was dropped from thu
advertisement by the Sheriff as a spec
ial favor, that officer should have pait
the $77.17 which the county lost from
the failure to comply with the form
prescribed by law for its collection. 1
the tax of $1O5.66 against the Terri
torial Penitentiary at Seatco, for tn,
same year, on buildings and twenty
acres of land, owned ard operated b,
the Sheriff and others, as contractor
for keeping convicts, was not paid
and all but $9.T stills remain unpaid
the county loses just that sum, from
some cause the Sheriff has yet failed t,
explain. The County has lost mucl
revenue from his failure to compl!
with the law, duty that the collecto
seems to have regarded as entirely op
tional with himself. Then again tn,
Sheriff is peace officer. He shoult
always have . clear head on his shout
ders anda civil tongue in his head
No matter what may te the provocation
he should not descend to the low and
vulgar epithets Of the slums. H,
should always be on the alert to main
tain the peace and well-being of society
instead of allowing temper to betra,
him into use Of Incorporate Language
and the demeanor of the bully.
Reader, have we placed our ideal tot
high! Are we dreaming of Utopia in
suggesting reformi May it not be mad,
reality, and would not the people, ire
spective Of politics or creed, welcome
with glad acclaim change that would
give them . model officer such ~ VI
have outlinedi Now is the time to TAXI
. step in that direction. It is the popu
lar will that it should be 90, aud it vii
be, If the people are faithful to theil
professions and true to to the princi
ples that constitute the safeguards O
free government.
The address of Mr.. d. L. Ward, can
- = II .