Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-11-08
A Republican Middle.

A Republican Middle.
Time was when if letter miscarried
in the mails, the train was late, or
somebody OVERSIGHT himself in the
morning, it was charged upon MIR.
Clcveland's Administration as a no
table instance OF inciiicicncy OF the
civil service or incapacity of some per
sou connected with it. Time was
and only short time ago-when, il a
blunder was made, jeer passed along
the whole line of disgruntled politi-
clans who had been punched out OF
the soft spots in the party sty and
stood shivering in the cold blast that
had swept over their political horizon.
But now, how things have changed!
A mistake OF Republican Executive
and Republican Chief Justice, which
keeps State Indefinitely from enter
ing the portals of the Union, is looked
upon as technical error, OF no real
Importance, and which such learned
jurists as Gov. Ferry and Judge Hoyt
declare should not influence the Pres
ident one moment to delay the procla-
nation which alone is wanting to give
vitality to the new State.
But, then, as the President grimly
intimated, when Immaculate Joe in
formed him that the people were ex.
ceedingly anxious that there should be
no delay in admitting the State, prOba.
bly, the expectant office-holders are the
leaven of that sentiment, and it is not
altogether improbable that the fingers
of the first Governor under the new
order of things fairly ache to grasp the
helm of State, nor does it require much
of a stretch of the imagination to pic
ture the shoulders of the new Judge
gracefully posed to receive the ermint
that is SO provokingly suspended by ex
ecutive respect for a mere technically
The Presidents refusal to act is
based upon Gov. Moore's neglect to
certify the Constitution in strict &C
cordance with the provisions of the
Enabling Act. He does send certif-
icate of the vote on the Constitution
but that is not enough. and the Presi-
dent announced his determination to
await the receipt of copy of the Con-
stitution properly certified. This did
not suit Gov. Ferry and his suite, SO
they telegraphed a more explicit en-.
dorsement- to be entered upon the
Constitution in the hands of the Pres
ident. This Mr.. Harrison declared
insufficient, and after several days en-
deavor to patch up the matter, the
managers have adopted the plan sug.
gested by the imperturbable Harrison,
and new copy properly certified was
mailed Monday, which will probably
reach the White House tomorrow
and if after Office hours, will result in
another weeks delay and all the
anguish Of spirit which that unfortu.
nate result involves. The cost to the
people of nearly $500 per day is
another consideration Of some moment
to the taxpayer, butt does not
count for anything to the fSz ian at
date 80 remote from election.
The peryersity of the President, after
the Geographic remonstrance Of Gov.
Ferry and Judge Hoyt, is remarkable.
He certainly is unaware of the emf
nent legal and personal standing Of
those gentlemen, or he would not have
persisted in maintaining position SO
utterly at variance with the true legal
Interpretation of the Enabling Act
Here their opinion downs opposition
with the weight Of an avalanche from
the topmost peak of Mount Rainier
and the wonder is that Mr.. Harrison
has not ere this realized that he il
posing as an Ajax against political
lightning.