The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-22
THE STATE FLOWER.

Mrs. Alsora Hayner Fry, of Seattle, writes 70
tho OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES: In the un1ortuha'e
lapsus lingua of "unfair' from the gifted clover
devotee in regard to rhododendron canvass
calm reader might infer it is not all rose
colored and fragrant in the state flower can
vass. But the writer begs to state, as one VINO
was the first loyal and open champion OF rhooo-
dendron, that these SPARKS OF friction are put
the "glow worm in the night. the wh1cn mas nro
in darkness, none In light" and this darkness
of misapprehension il certain to be dispersed by
the light OF mutual understanding as 10
fair intentions on both side. OF the con-
troversy. Devoted partisanship Is COM
mendable, and adds a certain "spice' 70 30
sweet and beautiful q candidacy as the rnooo-
dendrou-elover, but any unfortunate allus1on
to unfairness il but stopping to kind OF spoil
tics that is abroad in the land in which the
ladies' take part, the which is always Pfac-
ticed against those candidates and their follow
ers who are less fragrant sometimes than those
of this campaign. So from the rhodooenoIon
watch tower is floating the banner OF good lei
lowship, and let no strife-loving reader infer
thai there is anything but "bssuty and sweet.
ness in the Observation-Disclosures controversy.
Nevertheless, 1t is a source OF great pleasure 10
the writer to be informed by Mrs. Higginsons
acute perceptions that one of the lady commits
sioners "favon the rhododeadron. In the long
canvass since February the sharpest endeavors
of the rhododendron champion have been fruit
less In making such welcome discovery, thus 1t
is valued news to learn through Mrs. Higginson
that rhodedendron is SO favored. The cry OF
"unfair'' from the sweet clover field has been
somewhat amusing to the writer, because to her
ears have been borne the statements OF unfair
ballotinx" in the home contest In Whatcom be-
tween clover and rhododendron, many rhodo-
dendron voters being debarred by early closing
of ths spolls;" there being really q strong fol-
| lowing of rhododendron in Whatcom, some of
| the most prominent citizens" favoring it,
| whose names are given. 1t may be mentioned
| that said citizens might quite overbalance the
| names of prominent citizens of Seattle who
favor clover, as stated by Mrs. Higginson. II is
| always pleasant to have things evened up IN
| this manner. In view of the cry of "unfair-
| ness" it was also further amusement to the
| writer to read in the Sunday PosT-INTELLI
| GENcRR of q week ago communication from z
| correspondent in Whatcom, who adroitly used
| Bishop Thoburn a. Endorsement OF clover FOL
state flower, when the facts of the case were the
| writer had In her possession the name Of
| Bishop Thoburn signed as . com plimentary
Endorsement of rhododendron; the bishop
| pleasantly averring it his favorite flower In
India, therefore his favorite syerywhers, at The
same time saying many royal things for TIL
clover. But his name went down for rhododen
| dron at the same time, ~ also the names Of hi
son and daughters, Rev. and Mrs Thoburn's. o
| Whatcom. The correspondent from Whatcon
may be able to quote fine expressions for clover
but when it comes to names, these are captured
by the superior fitness of rhododendroni Thu
clover tactics may be commendable, but i
should be slower in crying "unfair." The uni
versal admiration of the first "Washington rho
dodendron," whose honor 1t was the writer's t
inaugurate this week, in miniature and impro
vised way, proved q strong expression OF tn
| popular sentiment In favor of the rhododendrol
for state flower, and If this exceptional .fowe
| In adopted, it is her intention of making stron
| plea throughout the state for the preservation
by the state of many of her large tracts of rho
dodendron, and of at once instituting famou
"Washinston rhododendron shows" rivalin
the great shows of London, where they are e.
| hibted the American plant. Sue
shows given in the state during the bloomin
of the rhododendron would soon become fl
nous as the washington rhododendro
| shows" proving another added and most glor
Gus fame for the state. The good sense an
appreciation of Washington Is showing itsel
in universal preference OF rhododendron ovs
clover for state flower, and when "the gre.
rhododendron shows of Washington becom
famous, Respondent in color mass and raj
beauty, every loyal deyotee of clover will r
| ioice alike with all the dauntiess and "faiI
admirers of the rhododendron.
Tacoma Herald: The pumpkin blossom has
| few friends rs a state flower. Doubtless IL
| state is ''some pumpkins" but we want som
, | thing that will not suggest the pumpkin pie G
all occasions. Pumpkin pie, or pumpkin bio
som and funeral would hardly 60 well T.
|