The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1890-04-17
THERE IS YET SOME HOPE.
The Tide Lands Hot IrFeVocabIy Lost to
thszPeOPle.
speaker Felgan Advises Recourse 70
the cOurts--The Law said 60
Ne CneOnstltutlOnaI.

Spokane Falls RerieW: Learning yes
teriay that Col. J. W. Feighan, speaker
Of the Washington house Of represents
tives. had been heard to remark that the
tide lands could yet be saved to the peo-
pie by legal process, Notwithstanding the
passage Of the bill providing for their sale
to the shore line owners, a RetieW re-
porter visited the speaker at his residence
last night to learn his opinion on the
subject.
eyes," he said, "the tide lands may
yet be saved II the people will only take
hold Of the matter and invoke the aid Of
the courts"
"what would be the proper mode Of
procedure?" was asked.
"Well, there are several ways to 20
about II to get the matter into the courts.
10 the first place, the law can be sue
cessfully attacked on its cOnstitutionality.
The easiest way to test II and prevent
the SAFE Of tile lands would be for some
bOdy to enjoin the governor from ap-
pointing the bOard Of appraisers provided
for in the act"
ION what grounds do you claim that
the law is unconstitutional
''In the first place" sail the speaker,
''let me direct your attention to section
81 Of article Of the state constitution,
the last paragraph Of which reads: "A
member who has private interest in any
bill or measure proposed or pending be-
fore the legislature shall disclose the fact
to the house Of which he Is a member,
and shall not vote thereon Now, it is q
well known fact that about thirteen
members who were owners Of tide lands
voted on the bill, which was in direct
violation Of the constitution, as any one
who can read can plainly see.
''Now let ne call your attention to sec
ton u of article l, under the declaration
Of rights, which reads: No law shall be
passed granting to any citizen, class Of
citizens, or corporations other than mu-
nicipal. privileges or immunities which,
upon the same terms, shall not equally
belong to all citizens or corporations
Here is clearly another violation Of
the constitution FIR the bill provides that
one class Of citizens alone, the abutIing
owners, shall be entitled to purchase the
tide lands, whereas all citizens have equal
rights under the constitution.
II believe II the people will take hold
this great injustice, disposing Of the tide
lands, the ri,hIful heritage Of the whole
people, can be averted.
Take the matter into the courts and
keep up the fight. II the courts deci,le
a1ainst US We cHn appeal and keep on ap-
pealing, and In this manner keep the
question upen until the legislature meets
again, when the law can easily be re.
pealed. Before left the Sound l told
some Of those fellows over there that we
would make things exceedingly interest
Ing for them before they got their clutches
on the state tide lands, even II the bill
did pass.
cit will take money to fight the matter
10 successful issue, but the tide lands
can yet 10 saved by adopting the course I
have indicated. Any citizen can restrain
the governor, and that will stop the whole
thing and bring the matter into the
courts. There Is no time TO lose, how
ever"