Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-09-13
THE STATE CAPITAL.
Olympia ROLES Upon True Merit
Correspondence of the Oregonisn.
OLYMPIA. Sent. ..

ITOln tue l0ct tllat III Will III Il large ue-
gree enter into the political combina-
tions and jobbery incident to such a
contest. Many of the people living in
remote counties from those which PIT
forth candidates for the contested
honor care but little for choice, while
the aspirations OF local and state par
ty favorites will afford an opportunity
for making the question one of party
trade and personal jobbery. 1t is a
question which, if submitted on its
merits, would doubtless receive fair
consideration and secure a just YER
dict at the hands of the people, and
that we honestly and conscientiously
believe would be in favor of
OLYMPIA,
The city which has so iwell supported
the honors under our Territorial form
of government. The adaptability of
this city for remaining the seat of
government is not matter of cOnjec-
ture, nor will it have to be determined,
as in any new selection, by the results
of a practical test. 1t has become
noted, not alone for its unequaled
climatic considerations, rendering it
during the winter months, the time
when the sOlons assemble in their
legislative capacity, the most congen-
ial point yet named for the personal
comfort of those charged with the
grave duties of Lawmakers, but its
social, moral and political tone is such
as to guarantee the best possible re-
suits from their labors. The history
of our Legislature so far, has been
devoid of the chicanery and
intrigue that has disgraced many
Territorial, as well as State Capitals.
The hospitality of the people is pro-
verbal. Her local representatives
have always been controlled by n
broad-gauge view of the rights and
privileges of every portion OF the Ter
ritory, and lavish in appropriations
for objects of general nature, no mat
ter what district was Immediately
benefited thereby. Olympia kas
been content with being the
seat of government; has asked
for nothing more, while accord
ing to east and west alike, the location
of public institutions, and appropria-
tions for their support, based upon a
fair and equitable distribution COM
measurate with the greatest good
for the largest number" She has
cordially aided in placing the uni
versity at Seattle, one hospital for
the insane at Steilacoom, while
according to the Eastern subdivis-
ion another asylum at Medical Lake
and the penitentiary at Walla Walla.
She has, so far as her influence went,
given to the river counties, the ONLY
other public institution located under
Territorial law, the school for defec-
tive youth, at Vancouver. These in
stitutions were permanently located at
a time when it was confidently expect
ed that Olympia would remain in un-
disputed possession of the capitol, and
were it not for the aid that rival COM
petitors expect to derive from real es-
tate speculations by change of loca-
ton, it is safe to say the present site
would be undisturbered.
WHY SHOULD A CHANGE BE MADE?
Is it on account of geographical DO
sition? A study of the map of our
country will show that other consider
ations must have almost invariably
a choice; and if, before the
telegraph had annihilated time and
the railroads shortened distances, true
business centers were selected for the
main wheels of the governmental sys-
TEN, how much more now should such
considerations affect choice when
they are the means of removing the
last objection to the argument of
metes and bounds? Olympia is, to-
day, the point that will best subserve
the business interests as the State CAP
itol. Situated at the head of nayiga-
ton on the great Puget Sound; the
point to the magnificent coun-
try bordering on the mighty Columbia
river; the most accessible to the thriv-
ing communities of the ocean coun-
ties and Gray's Harbor, and equally
accessible from Eastern Washington as
any other point west of the mountains
with rapidly developing country,
such as the whole Sound, coast and
river districts presents, where is there
a rival which can present 1.-THE OF
these most weighty of considerations
for preference? Where is there citi-
zen who thought of a change until
North Yakima needed boom to re.
lieve her from the odium of bad faith
towards the old town OF Yakima, prac-
ticed by powerful corporation to sub.
serve its selfish interests? Where was
there newspaper which saw in Ellens
burg any essential adaptation for the
seat of government until a land ring
began trading town lots for advertising
space, supplemented by ready-madt
reading notices." furnished by the
same enterprising Capital Park Asso
citation? Where is there an individual
who can look upon the Photographic
views of the Capital Park at Ellens
burg, taken from a purely imaginative
sketch by the late James Pickett
and embellished by all the art which
his skill could command, and declare
that such bleak, level waste can evel
be made to compare with the beautiful
tract of land on Capitol Hill, dedicated
by the founder of Olympia to the peo
pie as a site for the State Capitol for
ever?
The disinterested opinion of non
residents of Olympia, surely cannot bt
Overdrawn, even if it be claimed that
our own people are partial in theil
judgment on that question. Those
who have been brought hither ON leg
isiative duty, bear witness with singu
lar unanmity, to the merits of Olym
pia, in all respects, as political cen
ter. The members of the COnstitu
tional Convention were more than
pleased with their surroundings while
here, Notwithstanding our hotel facili
ties were not what they should have
been, a desideratum that will soon be
supplied by one of the best hotels on
the coast. This feeling OF comfort
and good will seemed to increase as
the session was prolonged, and if the
question had been clearly delegated tC
them to locate the site, or if it could
he left to their votes in October to Sc
lect the place, the friends of Olympus
would not fear the result.