Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1897-01-15
FAREWELL ADDRESS.
GOV. MoGRAW'S LAST WORDS TO
THE LEGISLATURE

GOV. MoGRAWS LAST WORDS TO
THE LEGISLATURE.
FaritsanshiP In Law-maktnG Con-
demned appropriations should
he Curtaiied-The Sta.e Capitol
Relief for DcbtOrx-Etc.
Gentlemen of the Senate and House
of Representatives: You are as
scmblcd to exercise the highest
privilege known to man in free State,
that of making laws to govern your
fellow men. Upon your action may
depend the lives and welfare of your
friends and ncighborS, the prosperity
and advancement of our cherished
commonwealth and the worth of your
future. Remembering the maxim,
whose truth has been approved by the
experience of ages, THAT people is
best governed which is least governed"
you will, am assured, approach the
execution of your delicate duties with
caution and prudence to the end that
all good citizens may approve your
course.
ain free country" said that noble
spirit, George William Curtis, who de-
voted long and lovely live to one OF
the best of popular reforms, that of
civil service, can election is intended
to be, and of right should be, the
choice of differing policies of adj
miniStration by the people ut the
polls" But government by party
does not imply that partisan feelings,
party spirit, should enter into govern
mcnt, least of all in our federal re-
public where its perniciousncss has
been most felt, for even at the outset
of our nation that wise man whose
name our State commentaries, said
of party spirit, at exists under
different shapes in all governments,
more or less stilicd, controlled or re-
pressed; but in those of popular form
it is seen i'll its greatest rankness
and is truly their worst enemy"
Fortunately for our national welfare
the political forces at work have, as Il
rule. been SO evenly balanced that the
resultant, especially in legislation, has
been to urge us upward and onward i'll
material and social progress between
closely converging lines, no matter
what party has been in power. The
evils of party spirit have been most
viciously exercised in States where
the balance of power between parties
has been least evenly divided. Indeed
it may be said that it is an axiom OF
practical politics that large Legislative
majorities are most difficult to
harmonic for wise common purpose.
You, gentlemen, more truly than
has been wonted in our legislative as.
semblies, represent all the people OF
the State in their political convictions
Every shade of opinion known to our
politics is, believe, represented among
you. This, in my judgment, is as il
should be- for, to be frank with you,
for one, do not believe that political
representation should be one-sided
though, as good Republican, | should
be pleased to see q few more of my
party here, and | must take comfort
i'll the belief that good sound whip
ping is sometimes as salutary for Il
party as for 4 strong and headstrOng
boy.
/ believe in the sane judgment of
the American people. | do not be-
lieve that any triumph of principles
with which do not agree will work
any lasting injury; for, if right, they
should triumph, and, if wrong, the
people have speedy remedy and will
not fail to apply it.
Gentlemen OF the legislature, | will
not dwell Mt length upon general
policy which think should be pur-
sued in your legislation. TO do SO at
this time is the special prerogative oil
the GOvernor-clect, whose success as an
administrator so largely depends upon
your cooperation in his recommends,
tions; but | would be recreant to my
constitutional duty and to my own
convictions did / not ask your atten-
ton to some of the needs of tho State
as have seen them in the past four
years, and feel them now.
| TENDENCY TOWARD EXCESSIVE AP-
PREPARATIONS.
The impulses of legislature influ-
enced as it always is by a combination
of local interests and confidence are
nearly always lavish, so much so that
] have vetoed over quarter of a
million dollars appropriated. This
lavishncss OF appropriations has rs its
excuse the over confidence of the
legislators in the resources of our
State, perhaps excusable in men so en-
thusiastic over its future, rs nearly all
were by reason of "bOom times" |
venture to repeat my former sugges-
ton that "the present legislature
should closely scrutinize all appropria-
ton acts and defend the taxpayers
from a repetition of such folly"
Under existing laws it is impossible
for the Governor to veto many items
of appropriation which in his judg-
ment might be reduced because of the
custom of making appropriations in a
lump sum. For instance, there was
Appropriated by the last Legislature:
Eor maintenance Western Washington
Hospital fOr che Insaire 49,. 100000
For maintenance Eastern Washington
Hospital for the Insane. ..... $50. l0O, 900
For maintenance state Penitentiary &C.. l35. 900
For maintenance State University .. 10000
Total Ill.,. .... OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 5 900
Here are four items ofappropriation
aggregating nearly half million
dollars without q detail IF such