The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1895-03-29

The excuse a pOpulist-an honest,
well meaning populist with the aver
age amount of brains as such things
90 III the third party-will give nine
times out OF ten for having left one of
the old parties is that he wants to see
existing conditions reformed" He
speaks generally. He does not refer
to anything particular, but wants the
good work to embrace everything in
sight. He is doomed to disappoint-
ment This is as certain us anything
can be in the world. The existing con-
ditions are the result of forces that
have not been at work for a day, or
for a year, or ten years, but for centu-
ries. They grew through the ages
| They may be unsatisfactory, but we
cannot avoid the truth that they are
! just what men and events have made
them. And they measure not only
the average capacity of the eople,
bat the degree of education, enlighten-
ment and honesty that exists in the
average man. Well-meaning reform
ers, therefore, who strart to work upon
the theory that existing political par
ties are altogether bad, and must be
made better, are confronted at the
outset by the fact that existing politi-
cal bodies are no worse than the peo-
pie who compose them. Their under
taking simply resolves itself into an
endeavor, as some one has said, "to
make the devils of today the angels Of
tomorrow" The supposition that
this can be done is stupendous folly.
We have no objection to any man
becoming Il populist who can't acco-
modate himself to the principles of
the republican party, but if he joins
the popullst party to help "reform"
anything besides himself, it will not
take him long to find that he has
been made a victim of misplaced con-
fidence.-Chehalis Nugget.
MONEY lenders must not now forget
that there is a usury law in this state
Under the terms of the law it is not
lawful to charge a greater rate of in
terest than II per cent. per annum on
any paper whatsoever. Where no rate
Is specified, the legal rate is fixed at 7
per cent. per annum. No state, coun-
ty, city, town or district warrant shall
bear interest at a rate greater than
per cent Judgments may not draw
interest greater that 6 per cent. The
penalty for charging more than -
per cent. on private or banking loans
shall be a deduction Of twice the
amount of accrued interest, with costs
added. The acts and dealings of an
agent in loaning money shall bind the
principal-P-I.
ONE of the big Chinese flour
exporters of Seattle, Chin Gee Hee,
said he had 500 tons to ship on the last
steamer to China, but could ship 100
tons because of the amount of eastern
tonnage to be cared for This is
evidence that the Northern Pacific
controls the business OF the steamship
company. Chin Gee Hee has asked
the Sprague Roller Mills Co. for terms
on 1900 sacks to be shipped on the
next steamer, and viii have 10000
sacks of low grade -four to ship every
month for some time to come.-Re-
view
How TAXES ARE TO BE PAID.-Un-
der the new law assessments will only
be made or alternate years-tle value
to be estimated on the 1st day of
April of the odd-nuinbered years. The
penalty for delinquency in payment of
taxes is reduced to two per cent. and
the interest is placed at Il per cent.
per annuln, with the proviso that if
one-half the tax be paid Lon the 31st
day Of Way. then the remaining half
may be paid on November. 30th fol-
lowing, but if said remaining one
half is not paid on or before that date, Il
then such balance shall be subject to
penalty and interest from the 31st day |
Of May preceding until paid. The de- !
linquent taxes of 1892 and 1898 may
be paid on or before July 1st. 1895, /
with a rebate Of penalty and interest,
which amounts to SIS per cent. of
taxessaf '92 and Is per cent. on those
of the succeeding Standard.