The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-04
WHAT CLARKSON SAW
Review Of His Journey Through
the Great Northwest.
PUGET SOUND MAILS WRETcHED.
The Most Refined Person Could Find
Congenial Associates i'm Amy Part
OF Washington.

From an Interview with James 8 Garrison In
Des MONIES Register.
II took this trip knowing it to be one OF
some hardship and work. I was anxious
to do what could in helping to gain for
the Western country as good postal facil-
tiles as that given TO the East. l will say
also in answer to the criticism from some
Democratic newspapers. so far from tins
being junketing trip at the expense OF the
government. the government has not paid
aud will not pay cent OF the expense, as
have borne il all myself personally. IL
would be good thing If these trips OF gov
eminent officials over the country
to ascertain the actual need OF
the pubiic's service and the
views and wishes of the people were made
compulsory at the governments expense.
1t would pay well and greatly benef1t the
people. The trouble is that the depart
ment and other officers are too far away
from the people, and do not know their ac-
thai needs or rights. Especially in the
West, in the larger half of the country that
lies west of the Mississippi river, which
has neither q member of the cabinet nor the
interstate commission, and scant represen-
tation even in the bureaus at " ashlngton.
is there dense governmental ignorance OF
the actual facts and necessities.
II found the mail service In the Puget
sound country wretched and inefficient. l
did not find a single city in the Western
country that had as good postal facilities as
are given TO cities of the same grades IN
the East. There is one difficulty that it is
hard for the government to obvlate, and
that Is the wages paid In the Eastern OIL
ces are not sufficient compensation tor
those of the West. In my two months
examination of the ground have already
made some changes, and will make recon-
mendations that will very much improve
the service, and l will be able TO supply
the department with practical knowledge
as to the actual facts whicl will help
great deal to change things for the better,
but it will have to be done slowly and grad
uaIiy, for this Is practically government
which is q partnership between congress
sional districts. Appropriations made by
congress always have 10 be divided like q
pound of putty-pretty equally between all
of the districts -and the department has
little voice in building up new districts as in
the West, where towns double nearly every
year and new towns are springing up all the
while. The new states of the West have
such small representation, . congressional
district covers such large area, that its
share of an appropriation is infinitesimal.
But / am sure that all the departments at
Washington are waking up 10 realization
of the needs and rights of the far West, and
that they will all cooperate to the end of
trying to remove present difficulties, many
of winch are inherited from Democratic
administration, which, from false sense
of economy, greatly pinched and crippled
the public service"
You spoke OF the rapidity of the growth
Of the Western country. Was it surprise
to you as q Western man?"
Yes. / had supposed as had lived in
Iowa since was q lad, coming here with
my father when the state had but 5000
people and not an inch of railroad IN its
boraers; when we had to go with OK teams
1870 miles 10 market, and when learned all
that has to be endured by pioneers, I
thought knew something of the West.
was not long i'll ascertaining upon this trip
that l was practically a narrow, unin-
formed Fastener, with but little knowledge
about and much prejudics against the real
West. was pretty broad fellow before,
TOO, but this jaunt has been a very great
revelation TO me and made me much more
American, and still more proud of
my country. 1t has shown me that
the Americans west of the Mississippi
are not only the most remarkable people in
many respects, but the most patient as
well. for they have founded their settle
OF hardshlps and dangers and under mani
fold discouragements, with the general gov
eminent giving little protection and less
encouragement, and with the body of the
American people Understanding rather
than helping and stimulating them, but
their own pride and American pluck have
carried them through spIendidly."
Then you believe that the admission of
the new states was right and proper"
Most certainly do. for they had every
right 10 be admitted, and their exclusion
during the four years of Democratic ma
tional rule was q crime against the people
of the new states. committed solely for the
dishonest benefit of the Democratic party.
They fulfilled every requisite for admis-
sion. They had as much population and
more wealth and more schools than
majority Of the original states had at the
creation of the republic, and more than
majority OF the states had that were adj
mitted after the Revolution, and they have
today more schools and newspapers
and more of all the intelligent
forces OF society and government, and
will cast more votes at the ensuing
elections than majority of the Southern
states. The sneers of Governor Hill and
other Democrats and Haypey's Weekly and
other mugwumps. that their admission as
states Is making few mining camps of
Ignorant people into states for the benefit
OF the Republican party" are a libel
upon an intelligent class of people and a
denial of as fair bill of rights as ever was
was uttered. Such sneers are unworthy of
Americans. These states should have been
admitted regardless of any partisanship,
just as New Mexico, Utah, Arizona and
Idaho should be admitted now, whether
they are Democratic or Republican.
How can you, as a Republican, favor
such policy in regard to Utah and the
Mormons?"
Because it is right and because fair
minded Rapuhlirapo IL fhov ,arenvalty
knew the facts, would see an easy way to
settle the poiygamy question at once and
permanently. The Mormon church, as a
church, has the same right to exist as any
other. The great body of the Mormon peo-
pie today are intelligent, industrious and
honest. The creation of that commu-
nifty in the Salt Lake valley
was one OF the greatest achieve
ments in American industry. Ii was
done by a people of indomitable courage
and creative power. Separated from
polygamy, the Mormon is a good type of
the American citizen, in character, intelli-
gence and industry. We have large COM
munity of them in Iowa, without polyg-
amy, led by young Joseph Smith, and they
are OF the very best people in our state. OF
the same sort are many of the Mormons
now in Utah. OF the As 600 Mormorls who
are voters In that region now, three
fourths at least are good citizens, wanting
to be loyal TO what is right in government
polygamy. Such Americans should
be encouraged and protected in their full
rights and not punished for the sins OF that
small noiety or minority OF that faith who
stiii bell We IN polygamy. / regard the test
oath recently passed by congress, virtually
outlawing the Mormons and confiscating
their property, as wrong in itself and its
purpose. unworthy of American legislation.