Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-05-15
Prevailing Sentiment.
ED. STANDARD:

. / read with keen relish of pleasure,
your comments in the last issue of the
STANDARD. relative to the Capital Com
mission, which you pointedly and
Justly introduce under the caption,
"On High Horse"
While having been nonresident
OF Olympia for about four years, still
have deathless love for the old town
of my adoption, and | shall ever cher
ish it as the city of all others in the
State Of Washington the dearest to
my heart.
Now it is beginning to strike me
that the various, from time to time re-
ports sent adrift concerning the do
ings OF the Capitol Comni sion are
getting marvelouSly like the reports
that used to be given wing concern.
ing that dead and buried affair the
completion through this section of
the Union Pacific railroad. Ever and
anon, as poets say, We used TO hear
that work was to be resumed upon
that road and that it would he speed
lily completed through our long suffer
ing and expectant city. But every
body knows that to-day that road is as
We have intimated, dead ard buried,
while the grass is growing green over
its grave.
Will it be thus in the outcome of
our Capitol Commission and their
work?
Now a commission created by the
majesty of Il State Legislature is sup.
posed to be for the good of the people.
Its action should be as publicly known
AZ the doings Of the body of men who
gave it being.
A commission appointed by the
commonwealth for the purpose of
serving that commonwealth is not a
secret society. 1t should be as open
to the people rs court of Justice; it's
stated meetings should be as free to
listeners as the sessions OF our CITY
Council; newspaper reporters should
have as free access to the business
transacted as they have to the doings
of any other public affair involving a
public interest. But quite contrary
has been the course pursued by the
inflated members OF this commission.
Verify, it is as true now as ever that
Man, proud man,
Clothed in a little brief authority.
Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven
AS make the angels weep"
Why is it that the members should
affect lofty silence and be as speech
less as clans when approached by |
especially the publisher of |
devoted to the best inter- |
ests of the public? Why should the
humblest citizen be cut short by curt
answers implying but one sentiment,
" None of your business. STRIP
Well. suppose we could endure a
little longer the inexplicable and I'M
utterable delay of the commissioners
if it were not for their insolence to
those asking candid questions. One
remark of yours should go on record
for future reference, Mr.. Editor,
"Mr. Rice seemed to consider the
question impertinent, for he at once
declared that he had no statement to
make, and that he did not care what
people thought of him for saying So"
A pretty answer, indeed, for a pub
lie servant 10 make when respectfully
asked to for a report of progress in
his work.
Now a man is taking a desperate
step when he saws he does not care
what the people think. of him.
Why. Mr.. Editor. 1 once knew a
man who said he did not care what
people thought OF him; but poor fell
ow! he little dreamed that we all
knew him to be a high.toned blk,
in everything except vanity,
and poorly finished as at thati But
thanks to the grace OF public franchise
We have the Capital City, and onr own
beloved Olympia will remain the cap
tal of Washington as long as Mount
Rainier remains the handiwork of
God.
Capitol building or no Capitol
building, the wisdom of the State must
assemble here TO make our laws and
they will be the guests OF our people
all the same. Old Glory will continue
10 wave from our spires and house,
tops; our national emblem bird will |
continue to scream and the burden of
his song will be "Olympis, Olympia,
the beautiful" AN OLD TIMER.