, 1890-02-27
A HIGHER DUTY.


been made the object of q pitiless
cross-iire from the press and tho peo-
pie. Perhaps much of this singing
criticism has been unjust. The
tendency In such cases Is always to
rush TO extremes. And yet the
members Of this legislature, the first
In the history of the state Of Wash.
ington, have magnificent oppor-
tunity to send their names down to
postcrity In a manner that will for
ever stamp them IA patriots and
men of wisdom. II they are equal
to the occasion, II they are dcslrous
OF winning the esteem and applause
OF the future, they can sweep away
the hostile criticism that has been
flying over the state, and by one
stroke forever establish their rcputa-
tion as men Of far-seeing wisdom
and the lofticst patriotism.
One question is now pending, q
question of such overtowcrlng i'm
portanoe, that Its solution Will be
the sole measure OF the present legis-
lature. II the lawmakers now
sitting at Olympia shall deal wisely
with the tide lands OF the state, they
will become famous. II they
squander this magnificent heritage
they will become Infamous. This
pronosition Is so apparent, so in
dis ,table, that one stands in
A. ITement at the bare possibility of
the adoption OF corrupt or stupid
course of treatment of this moment
ous subject. II Is not often that Q
body of Lawmakers is entrusted
with so stupendous power for good
or evil. Such opportunities to es-
tablish a magnificent record are few
and far between, and II the present
legislature shall net In this instance
with folly, or permit their better
Judgment to lie warped by coterle
of greedy and audacous men q life
time of wise legislation could not
serve 10 atone for one fatal misstcp.
There Is not shadow OF doubt
that wise control of the tide
lands would return tho state n royal
revenue that would forever reduce
taxation, free commerce of a per-
pe,ual aud burdcnsome toll, educate
the children of the state forever
more, and he means OF public i'm
provcment that would give WASH
ington reputation abroad that
would attract immigration and In
evltably make her one of the grand
est states In the Union. This glo-
rlous possibility belongs to tho peo-
pie. 1t has been established by the
courts and asserted by the consti-
tuition, and IL this mighty heritage
should he voted away for song to
rich and powerful corporations, the
people would hold the legislature to
n strict responsibility.
1t seems incredible that the trus-
tees OF the states property should
for moment entertain the vicious
proposition Of the bill reported by
the joint committee on tide lands,
which proposes surrender OF these
magnificent possibilities to private
interests. One would think that
measure had been prepared 10y the
attorneys Of this clique nther than
by men who are sworn to do their
duty by the state. The very fact
that the bill is vigorously supported
by the men who arc trying to wrest
these tide lands from the people
ought to arouse the Indignation Of
every honorable legislator The
people throughout the state, IT they
sit in apathy and permit this steal
to be consnmmated, and prlncely
heritage to pass forever from the
control OF themselves and their pos
terity, win stamp themselves as un.
worthy scions OF noble race.