Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-03-27
The Duty Of the Hour.


Our government. although it is theo-
re;ically OF the people. is only so TO a
limited extent and on the day when the
ballot. are deposited in the box that
gives expression and effect to the Will
OF the Voter. To emhody in that ex-
preston the true Will oi the ma jOrity
impil,> honesty and iair-dealing in
the preliminary steps for selecting the
hes: men and in formulating a true
expression vi the principles which it is
hoped their election will promote
Unless the primaries are called IN due
form with ample notice and fair OPP
p0rtunity for full expression OF pref
ercnce, the county conventions may
be packed by delegations which in no
way reflect the will OF the majority
either in the choice OF candidates or in
making platform which adequately
and fairly expresses the objects to be
subserved Hence we find in the
Legislature and in the offices directly
within the gift OF the people, men who
pay very little regard for what they
know to be prevailing sentiment on
public questions of vital importance to
each tax-payirg citizen. No matter
how firm a disposition may exist to
right existing wrongs, if these prelimi-
nary steps are neglected, very little
potency is given the ballot on the day
in which the voter is supposed to be
the sovereign.
In view of these incontrovertible
facts, it is to be regretted that the
Democratic State Committee deemed
it advisable to call the State con-
veution for selecting delegates to Chi
cago, at so early date, nearly four
months before the date for the Ma
tional Convention. Aside from other
considerations, it is always desirable to
have representative convention COM
posed of delegates as fresh from the
people as possible, and especially is
this advisable in a party which is nu-
merically weak and there is large
dissenting element that may be at.
tracted by fair, free and untram-
meled expression of principles that
are known to be held by a majority of
the party. Any effort to take snap"
judgment on these preferences, can be
read between the lines of any call
that can be issued, and paralyzes effort,
if it does not drive from the party,
many Of its most conscientious sup.
porters. 1t is we'll known fact the
control OF the State committee has
been dominated by friends of the Ad-
ministration, and it is an easy matter
by springing an early call OF the COM
mittee and the aid of little Jfnesse
in securing proxy votes without con.
sideration of the interests involved, to
control its action, and place the date
for convention so early that those
who honestly differ with Mr.. Cleve-
land on the vital issue of the approach
ing campaign. the currency, will be
caught mapping, and delegation sent
to Chicago which may entirely mis-
represent the will of the State on that
question. The promoters OF this
scheme for early action are by no
means backward in stating that the
sole object is to secure this endorse.
ment of the President, and they seem
to be utterly oblivious, if not careless,
of the result it will have on the State
campaign. In one breath it is urged
that an effort be made for uniting
all the elements against the State ad.
ministration, and in the next it is de-
liberately proposed to close the door
and lock it against all prospect Of
such accessions to the ranks. No
thought is given to the fact that the
Democratic party OF this State sucked
the hind teat" two years ego, and one
of two incentives surely influence a
course that will perpetuate this result.
Either the effort to secure control Of
State affairs is considered hopeless OF
that chance is to be deliberately sac.
rificed to place certain ones in the lead
should lightning strike second time
in the same place, and Mr.. Cleveland
be enabled to dictate not only the pol
icy of the party but to name his sue
cessOr.
Forewarned is forearmed, and al.
though the time is short to meet this
strategic movement, it should not be
neglected. Every precinct in every
county should send delegations which
fairly represent the prevailing senti'
ment on the currency question, and
be prepared to meet organized opposi'
ton that has been planned at head
quarters and made the duty of the
Federal officers to see carried out. II
the party is worth preserving. now is
the time to demonstrate that fact.
DEATH OF JENNIE KIMBALL-Jennit
r. Kimball, OF Philadelphia, the we'll
known manager of the Kimball Opers
Co., in which her daughter Corinnt
was the prima donna, died in private
car of the N. P. r. r. Co., at st. Paul
Monday morning. She was taken il
at Butte, Montana, with pneumonia
and all engagements between that city
and St. Paul were cancelled. Pleurisy
had developed on her arrival at st
Paul, and che was in too precarious I
condition to be removed from the car