Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1894-06-15
Success OF Organized Methods.

Which for the time constitutes the
executive power 0i the law. 1t can
only bc perverted through misnnder-
standing OF the issues involved. Il pre-
sumption OF culpabl' ignorance an
apathy on the part OF the citizen
which does not comport with the
duties Of citizenship, or fraud.
The call for meeting Of the tax
PAYERS Saturday night, was made il
due form, for a commcndahlc object
the taking oil initiative steps for re
ttenchment in a branch OF the public
service that has already lead TO an
over-draft OF warrants on a debt
aggregating about $4,000. Every
community has cut down the school
costs, with other expenses, but no.
where is it reported that it has met
with the organized opposition that il
has in this city. At the meeting
Saturday night, the situation was
amply shown to be quite serious, the
debt increasing annually, without any
hope OF relief except by action OF the
people in the manner proposed-by
the selection of officers whose bust
ness probity had been proven and
whose judgment and ability were
demonstrated by their works. 1t was
not deemed necessary to cut-and-dry a
programme to secure results con-
templated by the call, but it was sup
posed that those who had instituted
the movement of reform would bt
present and able to name men who
would represent the will OF those who
have organized for securing relief from
a grievous burden.
After speeches had been made by &
number of our prominent taxpayers
all of whom emphasized the objecI
sought, vote was taken for Director
and Mr.. ellis was nominated by {
rising vote without any inquiry as tt
his views on the question involved
and on a ballot Mr.. Van Eaton re.
ceived clear majority over each of hi
competitors, both of whom were large
taxpayers, while the successful nomi
nee pays nothing to the school o.
other funds.
After the meeting had adjourned
and it was ascertained that Mr.. Gilli
was by no means fair Representative,
Of the issue which the meeting hat
been called to promote, much dissatis
faction was expressed, and by quite ,
number who had voted for both of tn
successful candidates. 1t could ther
be seen that the meeting had beer
under the absolute control of Al
organized clique who had ATTENDED
solely for the purpose accomplished.
The proceedings of the meeting
we're faulty in several particulars. NJ
resolutions were introduced as a tes
for participation, nor we're any of th'
candidates voted for asked to pledg,
support of the measure proposed. I
is quite evident that had this beer
done, neither Of the successful candi
dates would have been nominated, ant
the A. P. A., or kindred secret organ
ization, would not have scored vic
tory.
Monday, about noon, q number o
the Taxpayers' organization placed
Mr.. Geo. A. Barnes and Mrs. Susan E
Barr in the field for Director anl
Clerk, respectively, and it is safe to So!
they received the support of msiorit,
of the legal votes cast in the district.
No questions were asked at the poll
but the name of the voter, except IL
rare instances or when . vote va
challenged, and it was surprising I,
see how many strange faces appeared
in response to the active canvass mad
by q dozen or more hitherto unknown
ward politicians who we're on duty til
the polls closed. It appeared to be
union between certain prominen
members of orthodox churches an,
the very mysterious element that j
known to exist as the A. P. A. The,
did their work we'll. They secure,
the by-ways; they held church meet
ing; they came to the polls with thei
tickets tightly folded and held with
firm grip which never relaxed until
WAS safely conveyed to the ballot box
The count Of the ballots showed tina
1852 votes were cast: 5O4 were &C
credited to Gillis for Director, and IS
to Barnes; for Clerk, 487 to Val
Eaton and 1858 to Barr.
The U. S. Revenue cutter Gran