The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-03-20
THE NEW CONSTITUTION.
Grave Responsibility Resting
Upon Washington Electors.
Shall the Ressrmsrs BE Perpitted TO
shape the Orxnaic Law s-Ar-
gumsnss Pro and Con.

SEATTLE, March 1S.--it i perhaps
doubtfuI ii the great mass of the voters
Of this territory fully realize the vast
Importance Of the duties deyelv;ng
upon them as electors during the few
months intervening between this and
the meeting of the next congress
During that short space OF time dele
gates are to be elected, q state consti-
tuition formed and submitted 10 the
people for approval or rejection.
If the constitution 50 submitted is
approved state officers viii then be
elected. together with a representa-
| tive 10 congress. and the state legisla-
sure 20 elected viii then meet and APP
point two United States senators 20
represent US in the congress Of the
United States. All this Is TO be accom-
plishei within the period OF eight
months
The Importance OF 3 wise and con-
seryative organic Law cannot be over
estimated It Is the foundation of the
whole state structure, and If seriously
defective, viii endanger the entire
edifice.
Ii Is not proposed to attempt the
enumeration in this article OF what
should or should not be embraced in
this organic law. further than to sug-
gest, that it should contain no doubt
| ful or capricious limitation upon the
power of the state legislature: and
that all disputed questions. such as fe
male suffrage and prohibition should
| be submitted as separate propositions,
and thus avoid the danger of a forced
rejection OF the instrument, and the
consequent delay OF admission. That
in the coming contest there viii not
only be political parties. but interested
factions is beyond question.
| We have vast corporations, or arti-
fetal persons, creatures of law, con-
trolling large and rapidly increasing
interests, and that these corporations
will seek TO control the new state gov
eminent, is as certain as fate.
| There are plenty of professional
politicians and Office seekers, who are
ready directly or indirectly TO pledge
/ themselves 10 the service of these mo-
nopolies for the sake of pay or official
position.
1t is not the purpose of the writer to
antagonize capital and labor. or to ar
raign corporations merely as such, but
the fact exists nevertheless, that the
most momentous question of the day
is how TO regulate and control the rela-
tons between capital and labor.
| Capital, especially when owned and
controlled by corporations, is selfish,
aggressive and tyrannical. 1t forms
trusts, creates monopolies, and grinds
labor to the extent OF its power.
Labor on the other hand becomes
FESTIVE, sensitive and capricious. II
organizes ostensibly in self defence,
but frequently to carry on unjust and
unreasonable war, and commits open
acts of violence in defiance of law.
These relations between capital and
labor, these trusts and monopolies are
all proper subjects of legislative and
judicial control, and the general vel
fare imperatiyely demands that such
control should be exercised with firm
ness and fairness.
The term labor as here used properly
includes every toiler in the land wheth-
er with hand or brain. We see and
hear great deal in this country about
the organization of labor to protect it.
self. We have strikes and lockouts.
and much consequent misery and suf.
fering.
Without discussing the merits OF
the various labor organizations as q
means 20 protect labor against capital
IL is clear beyond dispute that in this
country the laboring men have the
absolute power 10 protect themselves
and all their legal rights by the intelli.
gent exercise of the privilege of the
elective franchise. Every honest and
patriotic man is or may become citi-
zen and sovereign in this favored
land. There Is no question here rs to
where the balance OF power lies.
| The great trouble is that this glo.
rious privilege Is often exercised care
lessly and even corruptiy. II
the mass of legal voters vii
take that interest IN the coming
man takes in the ordinary affair,
of lie. then and not otherwise
| the people and sill the people will be
properly represented and protected
The signs of the times Indicate beyond
question, that the corporations OF this
budding commonwealth will make q
desperate struggle to own, control and
operate the coming state government.
Shall il be done2 The answer rests
with the people. The writer is life
long Republican, and believes that a
large preponderanee OF the brains and
conscience OF the people eff the United
States is to be found in the ranks oi
the Republican party. and therefore
hopes much from his old political
friends, bat ii that grand old party
proves recreant 10 duty in this regard
its lease of power will he brief indeed
Republicans and patriots. awake
and report for duty on the field OF
battle when the opposing hosts are al
ready forming
JouN ] McGILvaA.
THE pI,oHIRIrUoN nYrsr.a<