The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-16
THE LAKE WASHINGTON CANAL.

Adroit attempts are being made by
small coterie of Democratic politicians IN
King county assisted by Tacoma and the
Seattle Telegraph, to divert the attention
Of the people from an important issue In
the present campaign.
Every man, woman and child in King
county knows that If the Democratic
party is successful in this campaign the
Lake Washington canal will receive set
back from which it will with difficulty re-
cover. The Democratic platform de.
nounces the Lake Washington canal in
terms 80 emphatic that no King county
man would accept place on the Demo-
cratic ticket. James Hamilton Lewis de-
clined the nomination for governor and ].
T. Ronald declined the nomination for
congress because their self-respect and
their regard for Seattle and King county
would not permit them to stand on a plat
form which was in itself an insult to
them and the people among whom they
live.
Every man, woman and child in King
county knows that q vote for the Demo-
cratic state and congressional ticket is
vote for the Democratic state platform
and is in effect denunciation of the Lake
Washington canal.
Can any Democrat vote for q platform
upon which no King county Democrat
would stand7 Will any Democrat who
loves his city and his county vote for q
platform framed by Pierce county Demo-
Gratis for the express purpose Of humiiiat-
ing King county and forcing every King
county Democrat off the ticket? The
Telegraph itself condemned the platform as
untruthful, and yet 1t now asks King
county Democrats to support it. Why
this sudden change? Why does the Tele-
graph now advocate the building of the
canal by King county rather than by the
general government? Will the Telegraph
deny that the building of the canal is a
matter of Importance to the entire state Of
Washington, and public improvement
OF sucl general Importance that it should
be undertaken by the general govern
ment1 If 1t will not, then by what process
ofreasoning does it arrive at the conclusion
that King county should assume burden
of 100000 indebtedness when there is
reasonable certainty that the general gov
eminent appreciates the importance of the
work and intends to undertake it2 Can it
be that the Telegraph for q paltry $500
donated by Tacoma to its support
and another $500 promised from
the same source would deliberately sacri-
tce its principles and its loyalty to Seattle
and King county? The building of the
canal would undoubtedly benefit Seattle
and King county locally. 1t would give
employment to thousands of laborers, it
would make market for the produce of
the farmers of this county and the farmers
of other counties. and it would indirectly
in many ways stimulate our industries
and encourage the prosperity Of our peo-
pie. But when completed it would be a
direct and lasting benefit to the people of
the entire state. It would mean cheaper
freight rates for the farmers of Eastern
Washington, and it would mean the recog-
milton of Puget sound as the greatest and
best shipping point on the Pacific coast,
not even Portland excepted.
The Republican platform Endorses the
Lake Washington canal in common with
other necessary improvements in the
state. including the Columbia river i'm
provement. King county will always be
found ready to encourage and support any
measure having for its object the advance
ment of the state of Washington or any
secfion thereof 1t asks in return only fair
treatment for itself. 1t does not for an in
slant believe that the people of the state
sympathize with the contemplate spirit of
local jealousy shown by the Democrats Of
Tacoma and Pierce county and by some
men who profess to be Republicans.