Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-09-27
OUTLINES OF THE sILKEN HAND.

mere can DC no uOuDt Whatever In
regard to the value and necessity of
corporations. especially railroads, in
opening up for settlement and cult
walton extensive tracts of country and
developing the great resources, the
wonderful elements of wealth pos
sessed by the sections through which,
or in which, they are located. The
presence of railroads awakens a spirit
of enterprise and makes possible Of ac-
complishment that which otherwise
could not be effected. They add i'm
mense wealth to a country by stimu-
lating industry and encouraging pro-
duction, promoting commerce and
manufactures, building cities, towns
and villages and becoming also great
levers and engines of civilization and
human progress. Too much cannot
be said of their value in aiding and
promoting the onward march of the
country to development and prosperi-
ty.
But the corporations, including rail-
roads, which ART the most useful and
valuable when acting within their le-
ultimate sphere and confined to the
exercise of their proper functions, be-
come the most dangerous, tyrannical
and oppressive when they step beyond
their lawful plane of action, and by
the usuipation of power, trample on
the rights and disregard the interests
of the people, in order to accomplish
their selfish purposes. A case in point
is Immediately before us, in the action
and attitude Of the Northern Pacific
Railroad with regard to the location of
the capital, that is if the rumors which
are being quite generally circulated,
are true. These rumors are to the eff
feet that the said Railroad Company,
through parties connected Herewith,
is using its influence and power, and
is expending money corruptly by buy
ing votes, to obtain the location of the
capital at North Yakima, and are also
endeavoring by all means 20 defeat the
will of the people, as it ought to be ex-
pressed by their unbought votes at the
ballot-box. II so determined, every
body knows that the vote for Olympia
would be overwhelming, as her merit
in every respect is conceded to be far
superior to North Yakima, which, in
fact, is utterly without merit or claim
for the capital. North Yakima is a
place created and established by the
Northern Pacific Railroad for specula-
tive purposes, to effect which it
wrecked and ruined the old town of
Yakima, few miles distant, in man
ner at once discreditable and outra-
geOus.
This movement, if true, is unques-
tionably to secure, by the free, base
and corrupt use of money, influence
and power, tho location of the capital
of the State at place of their own,
not alone to speculate on their town
lots, but to more effectHally control
all future legislatures and legislation
affecting their interests, and this fact
ought to excite the alarm of the peo-
pie everywhere. We say, if the reports
are true, because we are reluctant in
believing a statement Of facts, which
if they really exist, will stamp that
corporation with a character and de-
sign so base, and withal so dangerous,
that it must arouse the just indigna-
ton of the people and cause them to
insist upon and demand of their Rep
resentatives in the legislature the
prompt creation of a Railroad Com
mission and also the enactment of the
most stringent measures of supervis-
ion, restriction and regulation.
Isis not presumed that the Railroad
Company will assume or admit any
responsibility of action in the premi-
ses, but it is not difficult for agents
and emissaries to do its dirty and cor
rupt work and yet the company itself
to all appearances be irresponsible.
One Of the dangers arising from the
irresponsible character of corporations
is their ability to act in the most I'M
just and oppressive way, and use the
most corrupt means through unseen
agencies, that, while every one is con-
WINGED of the fact, it is nevertheless
difficult and frequently impossible, to
fix the responsibility.
A quiet but thorough investigation
has been undertaken in regard to this