The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-01-16

tees Of the constitution. the militia should
not be found wanting do not wish 10 be
understood as insimatsng that the body OF
the National Guari OF Washington IS not
ardent. spirited. loyal and ever ready for
asraaestioning service. On more than one
occasion its vasg. PATRIOTISM and efsacf-
eTscy have been fully tested ard justly
landei. Wat l desire 10 criticize. with
. view TO recommending : revision CT the
methods of organization. Is the policy OF
eaec,lng superior and commanding off,
GERS When the question OF organization
and control OF the militia was under de-
bate In tho Federal constitutional conyen-
ton. no one conseniea for the exercise OF
the elective principle. On the contrary,
the right reserved 10 the states was ex-
pressiy the appointment OF the officers.
II had been the experience OF the trying
times precedent 10 the convention that,
as Madssosa put il, elective officers
courted popularity too much to enforce
discipline" We have witnessed in our
state and time the pernic:eus and demon
alizing influence OF military elections.
Substitution OF appolnfive for the elective
plan OF preserEent. or promotion. under
surveillance of the comnsansser-in-chief.
would eradicate the parsisansh.p. favorit-
ism and politics SO fatal TO discipline and
so corruptive OF that singleness OF feeling
which should animate the sc@1iezy of
the state Examination as 10 aptitude
and qualifications fo- command is now
pue-iie and perfunctory. 1 t should be
specific and rigid.
II the legislature undertakes to provide
for q restricted or more thrifty manage
ment of the national guard the facts
should be kept specifically in mind thar
the members Of the military houssaoid
are at considerable personal sacrifice. and
that both their zeal and enthusiasm are
measured by losses 10 themselves in
purse and time. They comprise much OF
the brain and Drawn of the best citizen
ship: and at no point in its expenditures
for the maintenance OF the military es-
Establishment does the state offer adequate
compensation for the duties voluntarily
assumed or the srvices rendered by the
citizens composing 1t.
THE WORLDS FAIR COMMISSION.
Conceived in public enthusiasm and
pride. the plan of presenting at the
Worlds fair an exhaustive exhibit of the
wealth and attractions of our state was
executed with surprising enterprise and
skill. The unique Washington building
and its contents were the wonder and
delight OF all visitors; credit To the zeal
end ability of the commission; a testi-
monial to the progressive spirit and IN
dnstry Of osr people. and a proof of the
incompatible variety OF our resources,
With a revival OF prosperity, substantial
returns in the form of the most desirable
immlgra ton viii reward this enterprise
The report OF the commission minutely
details the financial and other features OF
the management.
ELECTION REFORM.
For the judges. clerks and messengers
OF single state election the people are
taxed. approximately $4,000. When the
count is prolonged into the night. one and
one-half or two days wages are paid.
Messengers are recompensexf IN accord
ance with the whims of auditing officers.
The most responsible citizens should
serve as custodians and accountants at
the polls. Compensa ton should be
neither expected or vouchsafed. Returns
from remote precincts should be for
warded to the county auditor by regis
tered mail. All indemnity for individual
election services should be expunged from
the statutes and assignments TO the sew
eral duties made, under severe penalty
for avoidance 'or refusal, from lists OF
tax-raying citizens submitted on stated
occasions by the county treasurer Psiri-
fcation OF the franchise would be facili-
tated by this form A repeal of the
compensatory provisions of the election
laws should be contained In a measure
designed TO minimize aggregate precinct
votes, with view to iBsurang spontan-
eous and perfect inspect 4on. The larger
the number of voters at a polling place,
the wider the cover for nlegaIities and
corruptIng Influences. BY providing for
the reconstruction of precincts on the
basis or each preceding registration. SO
as to limit the voting capacity of each
precinct to maximum of $50 or 300 clti-
zens, such would be the natural nearness
OF pubic scrutiny, owing TO the environ
nent or acquaintance. that few Illegal,
fraudulent or contaminated votes could be
cast. Taxpayers might we'll afford the 1T
tie expenditure for temporary hire of the
increased number or polling places. In
view OF the savings for personal labor.
Carried into effect, the design briefly ONT
lined would enable cities. whose insyus-
trad and trade activities are 10 be con-
TO cast their votes after midday.
Brief and gratuitous service on the mart
OF the officers. "A clean vote and a quick
count. great saving To the taxpayers
and the improved integrity of the s,.f-
frage. WORLD attend the enforcement or
th2s plan. The use of registration lists
should be provided for 81 all elections
invoiysng even remotely any drain npen
taxable resources or public funds.
COSTS FOR PROSECUTION or CRIME.
Reports from twcaty-four counties ana
estimates as 10 ten. together with state
costs. show that the amount expended
during the last yeAr for court and coro-
ner jurors and witness fess ans, mileage
win not fail far shors of $50, 600.
The fee system in crirnina. juras-
prudence demands radical resormats,,
No mileage should be granted, and all
fees should be wiped ont In lieu OF az.
listing statutory prescriptions GOVERNS
this subject, IT. should be provided thu.
actual expenses for jurors and witnesses
IN attendance at court or at inquests, be
paad uasfer the certsticatIon Of the Judge
prosecuting attorney or coroner, as the
case may be. In civil Jurisprudence. the
lislgants should be required 10 nav the
fees, as usual.
The first function or society is pro,ec-
~ fsF Il.