Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-08-15
A Frantic Apeeal.

The advice that the Chairman. of
he Republican State Committee gives
TO tho ., o. p. ina late manifesto, in
ticates that some apprehension is felt
for the changed conditions primarily in
cident to the increase Of population Of
our thriving State. He urges all Re-
pub,icans to register, as a perquisite for
voting, and declares with pathetic
eff We desire to hold
what we have obtained in the past; if
We expect that Washington shall con-
tinue to be Republican State; if we
are in earnest that its vote shall help
to elect the next President, we must
register and turn out at the polls
The spirit of the appeal is quite
different from the exu!'ant notes
which ended the last camp ign, when
it was asoertained that majority of
from 5000 to 5000 had been rolled up
for the proverbial "yellow dog" part
of their State ticket. They then
seemed to think that The margin was
large enough for any possible con-
tingency. They then gloried in
the knowledge that their party
strength had exceeded the most san
gcine expectations Of the leaders.
The result was virtually a clean sweep.
They elected State legislators and
county officers with q Representative
in the National Councils. An almost
unanimously Republican legislature
gave assurance of two U. S. Senators.
As usual under such circumstances,
tire party became arrogant, bold and
defiant. They saw before them unin-
terfupted possession Of the fesh-pots
the remainder of their natural lives.
They lost sight of the fact that
over-confidence is an element OF
weakness instead of strength; that
undivided responsibility holds a party
down to stricter line of duty than is
exacted under ordinary circumstances.
They could not, however, have
anticipated the unadulterated mass OF
stupidity and ignorance they had
drawn from the legislative grab-bag.
They had no idea of the selfshness
that would prevail in the deliberations
of that body. They little dreamed OF
the reckless extravaganza that would
mark their course. Hence the sur
prise in store for them. Honest peo-
pie saw the error committed, and have
heartily resolved upon change at the
first opportunity. That chance occurs
when the polls are opened for free
expression OF the popular will.
It is . notable fact that when the
session Of the Legislature was drawing
to q close, the press and public
opinion far and near, considered it a
stupendous failure. It was a by-word
Of reproach to q people otherwise
noted for high average of popular
intelligence. At this decisive moment.
the Executive, who had been snubbed
by these same lawmakers at the out
set. stilled his pride and valliantly un-
derstook the herculian task of saving
the ship. Dazed and disheartentsd by
adverse criticisms, the legislature
eagerly welcomed this deliverance.
The Governor is not wanting in
vitality and brains. He nerved HIM
self for the work. He entered the lists
with stalwart mein and barred his breast
like Ajax defying the lightning, while
many Of the mighty in the counsels
Of the party quaked in apprehension
Of the result. Audacity won. The
whisewash adhered, but time had to
b given for it to set. Hence the OK
ira session, to he paid for by the
people with its retinue Of pages, clerks
and supernumeraries), simply to re-
pair the imperfect work of an almost
unanimously Republican Legislature.
No wonder Chairman Convey de.
clares that " if We desire to hold what
No have obtained in the past, we must
adhere to the Republican ticket" No
wonder he solemnly afirms that
Washington cannot continue to be a
Republican State unless every party
man votes the ticket. There is a
handwriting on the wall, and its pur-
port Is precisely that which caused the
hair Of Belahaxzar to stand ON end.
!