The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-28
CoxxIssIosEa or rUsLlo LANDS

C0Mn1001OHER or PUBLIC LANDS.
Among the members Of the state admin
istration none has had TO deal with larger
or more important interests. none has had
. place calling for the exercise OF greater
amount Of sober judgment and none has
more FUZZY succeeded In discharging his
duties to the fail satisfaction Of the pub
lie than William r. Forrest. commissioners
Of public landA He well deserved re-
nomination aSaghs hands OF the party.
whose conndence ne has 80 completely
justified. and he richly deserves re-slec-
ton by the people. whose interests he has
90 faithfully served The public domain
of this commonwealth - Of great value.
The judfcious selection of land under the
enabling act calls for thorough knowl-
edge Of the state: the control Of the lands
when selected requires the exercise Of
sound business sense. These Qualifca-
tons Mr.. Forrest has shown himself to
possess in . high degree. He was well
equipped for his responsible once In the
first instance. and the knowledge ne has
acquired and the experience he has had
render him especially at to serve the pub
lie now. In view Of the growing import
ance Of the land department. 1t would be
the height Of folly for the voters not to
avail themselves Of the opportunity Of re-
tanning the services Of man. who TO his
natural integrity and ability has added
practical experience and knowledge. such
A no other man In tho state possesses.
The defeat Of Mr.. Forrest. oven though
his successor were equally competent in
other respects. would be . public misfor-
tune. for tho lack Of these qualifications
which no new man cousd be expected to
have.
Between such q man as Mr.. Forrest and
Mr.. Bridges. whom the Popocrats have
nominated a. his successor. II Is not q
question Of comparison. but Of contrast.
former for high and responsible execu-
tive positscn are utterly lacking In tho
latter. 1t is. indeed. difficult to suggest
how man could be much less fitted for
such an ONCE than Mr.. Bridges He has
yet to display single faculty which
marks him out for such a place
Mr.. Bridges may have trade or pro-
fesston OF business Of some sort. but the
public knows him In no other capacity
than = politician He Is Q man OF slight
business ability. OF little industry. OF very
limited knowledge Of affairs. one who is
wholly lacking In that special information
which Mr.. Forrest has acquired during
years OF official service Can his support
ers. point to anything that he has done
in Seattle that furnishes the slightest
guarantee that efficient service may be ex-
pected OF him. In case OF his election?
Have his neighbors thought at to entrust
him with private responsibilities? In
what walk OF life has ne exhibited quail
ties that At him for any public position.
and especially for one calling for such
care. prudence. foresight and special
knowiedge IS does tho ONCE Of public
land commissioner.
There Is only one objection to him, but
that Is general one. covering every
Qualification necessary for such an offsce
a. that TO which ne aspsres, except one,
namely. that he Is . citizen. and as such
Is entitled TO be . candidate. The fact
that he IS n favor OF free coinage Is no
reason why free coinage men should en-
trust him with the control Of a state
department about which he knows moth
Ing and whose tssties he Is untitled either
naturally or BY experience to discharge.
To vote FOR candidate 50 unfit for once
aud against a tried ard proved pubiic
servant IKE Mr.. Forrest would be TO dis
play q poor sort OF citizenship. Mr..
Bridges IL a free silver man because free
silver seems 20 him 20 be opposed 10 the
existing order % things. ard he would, II
he could. subvers our existing institutions
and substitutes that which has netting 70
recommend II. He is one OF those people
who brood ever what Trey call the wrongs
OF the masses. The fever OF discomfort Is
In bis veins. He would saevert the consti-
tuition for the sake Of trying ne expert
meats Of Missionaries Ike himself He
cx~ex not by wis, methods he assasis ex-
ssttns institutions. IT'S speeches N she
present campaign show THIS They are
marked by ignorance OF Law and disregard
10 facts When nss errors have been
pointed out. be has persisted In repeating
them. rmaa may be excused FOR = mis-
take. sat not te- rersssttns IN statements
which he knows are act true