The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-11-30
Why Not Tell the TRUTH
Seattle Pre-s-1imes.


Either the Tacoma Ledger is densely ignorant
or it assumes that its constituency IS hopelessIy
stupid. On no other ground can Its
gross misrepresentation OF Senator Allen
efforts in behalf Of river and harbor improve
ments in this state be accounted for.
As Senator Aliens candidacy for reelection
to the United States senate was not an issue in
the recent state campaign, it was great in'
justice to him and to the Republicans on the
sta G ticket to contend, o. the Ledger did from
first to last, that the senator had Jailed in the
matter OF securing appropriations to represent
either the wishes OF his party or the needs OF the
state.
Now that the state campaign is at an end and
the senatorial contest begun; now that Senator
Aliens acts and intentions in congress are
properly at issue, the Press Times proposes max
ing the Ledger eat its own words.
"Iu three years of SERVICE" says the Ledger,
sour senators have got little beyond preiimi.
nary surveys"
In plain English this il q lie, and q conscious
lie at that At the time Washington was adj
United and Allen and Squire sent to the senate,
in 1889, the appropriations for the North Pacific
coast in the river and harbor bill were con-
trolled by the Oregon senators and manipulated
almost exclusively in the Interest OF their state
1t is to Senator Aliens success in breaking up
this combination and in forcing the senate to
consider the needs of Washington. that the tire
ring are ascribablc.
The Portland senator's had made no provisions
for Washington surveys. They didn't intend
to make any. Senator Allen did, and
he succeeded in the first congress of
whose senate he was member. True,
he was supported by the whole state delega-
ton in congress, but he led the onslaught on
the Portland hogs. and he still leads it On
the reports made. favorable TO the OPEN
ing of the Rock Island rapids of the
Columbia river. he was instrumental
IN securing 100000. This appropriation
was subsequently held up on the
strength of an untavorable report by 6yInonds,
but instead OF accepting that engineers report
as final, Senator Allen got an additional appro.
priation of $4,000 for another survey OF the
Columbia from these rapids to the British
Columbia line.
The system of surveys to effect river and
harbor appropriations in Washington was es-
tablished in the first dill on which Senator
Allen had the opportunity to work. The har-
borage of the Snohomish was occupied then by
wilderness. The Skagit was open.
IN the last river and harbor bill in the
case of every survey provided for in the
previous bili-save the ship caual-an ap-
preparation made. Money was obtained
Tor the improvement of Willapa, Gray's and
Olympia harbors, for the removal OF tn,
Vancouver bar, for the Snake, Cowlitz and
Willapa rivers, for the closing OF Mailboat
slough, and Tor Swipomish slough. Every
appropriation, on the recommendations of
the engineers, made by the house conn ittee,
was increased in the senate, and some were
inserrei in the senate by Senator Alien. No
recommendation failed except that of the ship
CO al, which was designeily rejected through
tn conuivauce OF the Port aud senators.
In the same bill provision was made for addi-
tioaal surveys, including the Snohomish and
SIX git, and every energy was exerted to gain
for Washington the recognition to which she is
entitled in the river and harbor bill.
senator Allen was foremost In this eude8vor.
He was successful beyond expectations. His
record is open.