Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1897-03-05

New York Times, New York World
Albany Evening Argus, Boston i'd
pertiser and Others from various parts
of the country.
"These papers, attempting to dis.
guise the motives that prompted them
to come to the defense of the Wall
street interests, affected the position
of disinterested and impartial observ-
ers. They condemned the proposed
measure as wild and socialistic, and
they painted in dark colors the disas-
ters to railroad property, the injustice
to its owners, and misfortunes to the
people of Iowa, that would follow
their adoption. Especially did they
bewail the losses that would fall upon
the widows and orphans who had con.
fdingly invested all of their hard
earnings in this property.
"They never uttered q word of con
demnation, but entirely ignored OF
defended the abuses by which the
stockholders were robbed at one end
of the line and the patrons were i'm.
posed on at the other.
Many of these papers were noti-
fled that their statements were alto
gether erroneous, but they would not
admit line to their columns in rela-
ton to the matter that indicated any
other disposition than complete sub
serviency to the interests of Wall
street.
"There were, however, an unusual
number of strong men in this general
assembly, and this extraordinary dis
play of railroad forces only tended to
impress more strongly upon them the
necessity of curbing the railroad
power, and their best energies were
concentrated upon the subject, with a
firm determination to deal with it in a
manner dictated by reason and ex-
perience.
$50 we'll did the bill which was
finally adopted by the committee re-
fleet the general sentiment of the
members of the general assembly
that not single vote was cast against
it in either house upon its final pas
sage. Since the adjustment of busi-
ness under this law, there has been
less friction between the people and
the railroads than before for thirty
years, and so satisfactory has it
proved to all that no one, not even
railroad men, have to this day asked
the Legislature to repeal the law or
any part of it."
The measure still further quotes
from Governor Larrabee's work, set
ting forth the provisions of the Iowa
law, how satisfactorily and effectively
it works and how it conserved the
property interests of the railroads
rather than injured them. The mes
sage concludes as follows:
"These extracts from the work of
Governor Larrabee are given as hav.
ing peculiar value at this time. We
OF Washington can do no better than
to follow the wise, conservative and
cautious policy here outlined. A rail-
road commission holding Office during
the pleasure of the Governor and re-
movable at his will, having power to
regulate railroad charges, is in line
with the best thought on this most
important matter, and / am fully con-
vinced will gradually and wisely re-
move the difficulties under which our
shippers now labor. In this way re-
sponsibility is fixed and Immediately
brought home to the Governor, who,
in this event, would be held RESPONSE
BILE for failure. In this connection l
desire to say that if given the power
to appoint l shall exercise it with the
sole purpose of doing justice to all
parties. If the commission appointed
by me does not do its duty, new one
will at once be named, and this policy
will be maintained to the end. de-
sire also to say that 1 cannot be CO.
creed into the appointment of unfit
and irresponsible men to the Office OF
Railroad Commissioner, even though
members should thereby refuse to vote
for the enactment of a measure OF re.
lief urgently demanded by their con-
stituents. The State of Washington
has able, conscientious and honest
men, who can be induced to serve. 1t
is entitled to the services of her best
men at this critical juncture. Any.
thing less than this is folly, which !
do not wish to commit. l will add
that these men have not yet been
named nor has there been made any
promise to appoint any man to the po.
sition here mentioned. Whoever says
that these men are named, .utters a
falsehood and renders himself liable to
be charged with the crime of conspir-
ing against the true interests of the
people of this State.
"I have spoken thus strongly be-
cause the situation has seemed to de.
mand it, for / believe that honest men
in your body are being betrayed to
their hurt and to the defeat of the
peoples cause. most earnestly hope
that it will not be necessary for me to
call an extra session of the Legislature
because of failure upon your part to do