The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-06
THE POLITICAL ISSUES.
OLYMPIA. Sent 3, Il

OLYMPIA, Sept 8, 1892
To THE EDITOR: While the canal proposition
seems to be most prominent as an issue in the
political battle now being waged in this state, it
In nevertheless true that the most persistent and
tnsidious work 10 being quietly done against the
Republican party by Peoples party and Demo.
cratic speakers all over the state, on entirely
different line. Results thus far being accom-.
plished by these forces encourage their workers
to hope for big showing on election day. Re-
pubiicans will make a most grievous mistake IL
they underestimate the magnitude of this move
nlent, or fail to offset II by counter educational
work that will reveal to the voters its decep-
tons, fallacies and malicious representations
Opportunities for somewhat extern led oDserva-
tion throughout the state have shown me that
the third party organization is formida-
bic In number of our counties wherein
Republican majorities have heretofore been sta
pie products. Among these may be mentioned:
Thurston, Lewis, Clark, Clailam, Whatcom.
Klickitat, Whitman, Lincoln and some others
Peoples party clubs or societies have long ITO
been organized in every country precinct where
enough material could be gotten together for q
nucleus. These organizations hold regular
meetings at which the doctrines of the party
are advocated and its literature circulated In
many cases Its most potent aids are schelning
Democratic politicians who seek to lure A. many
Repu blicans into the third party as possible
In most OF these cases the Democrat Is not there
TO influence voters TO forsake the Republican
party. Their hardest blows and most persistent
efforts are aimed at the Republican party. The
principal issue, snd the one on which their bold
est Snd most untruthful assertions are made, is
that OF alleged extravaganza and high taxes un-
der what they are pleased to term Republican
misrue. This kind Of talk is always In general
terms: and, while mere vague ranting. 1t never
the.ess has its effect in these times of dull
business and money stringency. Our state
has passed through q period of initiation, real
estate gambling, speculation and unhealthy
Doom influences, only to reach the depressing
reaction which creates unrest and dissatisfac-
tion- The boom awoke such ambitions in our
towns that enormous expenses for public i'm
provements have Resulted In taxation for town
purposes heavy enough TO amount to conisca-
ton OF property for many small holdings. This
being true, when voters are told by People'a
party orators that they are being taxed to death
under Republican rule many OF them assent
without more than superficial thought Bat
when the same Peoples party orator is "treet'
on his proposition, and is asked to specify what
particular acts Of extravaganza or high taxation
he refers TO. he Will point TO ths aggregate of the
appropriations made by Republican legislatures
since the organization OF the state of Washing.
ton, and will enlarge upon this as the wan;on
squaadering of the peoples money When Of
tered list OF the principal objects and amounts
which represent the main bulk of these snnro-
pFiatioas and asked % specify what particu.ar
Appropriation he objects 20, he Will usually have
urgent business else~h Blu, Just the sauna
ne VIII turn up smiling 81 the next spaakin7
point with the same plstitudes, ranting gem
efalitles and bold denuncia;iou of the nar;y ii,
power. lie Is pretty sure Of an apprecistivs
aaaseGce. too-uuless someone with canahilitv
sna disposition 10 runctare his bubbles han.
pens 10 b present
government IS nothing more nor less than the
business management Of the public affairs of
me people. The party in power performs it's
duty i 1t carries out the wishes OF the people /.
represents IL the case Of our own state large
appropriations have been made from the com
mon treasury, by Republican legislatures for
various oo!ecIs IN connection with which the
people viii pass Judgment as TO whetha. their
wishes have been ei out or not Among
these objects may be mentioned the state school
far detective youths, at Vancouver for which
appropriations have been made since statehood
aggregsiing s9s, T69 Much az this amount rep.
Teseats the cost Of securing ate and
erecting buildings The question will be
ss - whether not a humane sad en-
isgAie1ed constituency desire the Legislature 20
vote public money away IN such amour. for
this purpose Another item OF heavy sxuense
5 The aggregate OF state a5propgiAt tons tor the
fsnlsen:ary st Nals Wallis smsrn.irg in
round Numbers TO some SKIS o. Much Of this
A@s nsea expended 1os buildings ami Tor Tia