The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1897-02-06

| 10 allow tneSe enterprises 10 lag.
The house of the Washington legis.
lature was treading on dangerous
grounds when it passed the bill abol'
ishing capital punishment in the state,
Peaceable citizens are entitled to the
protection which capital punishment
guarantees them. To remove this pro
tectiou would encourage assassins. for
the fear of death by hanging is the
only instrument that has terror for
| them.
In rendering Judge Joseph McKenna,
of California, the interior portfolio
President-elect Mckinley has certainly
exercised good judgement. Besides
selecting a competent man for the
position, his location right The
business of the interior department is
principally with matters in the West
and by all means should be presided
over by resident of the Pacific coast
states.
Senator Mitchell's goose is certainl
cooked. He stands no more show OF
reelection than would a South Sea
Islander. And since he is out of the
way, who will be his successor? On
whom can the republicans center?
Hon. T. T. Geer, tall Timothy of
Marion, seems to be the most logical
candidate for Mr.. Mitchell's senatorial
shoes, and it would be credit to re-
publicans of Oregon to send Farmer
| Geer 10 the senate.
Representative Misner was the only
member of the Benson house who re-
fused to take part in the ballot for
United States senator. Mr.. Misner is
certainly pursuing the proper course
by refusing to settle the factional fight
between the republicans. All demo-
Gratis in the legislature shoald keep
their records clear, and allow the re-
publicans to settle the matter of select
ing United States senator. They
have the majority in the legislature,
and upon them rests the responsibility
of electing senator.
By selecting Lyman ]. Gage for sec
reiary of the treasury, President-elect
Mckinley is pursuing the course that
was expected of him, to connect as
closely as possible the banking inter-
ests with his administration. Mr..
Gage is president of the First National
bank of Chicago, and closely connected
with the banking interests of the
nation. However, he is q business
man of large experience, and is not a
professional politician, having been a
sort of ''free-lance" in politics, voting
for Cleveland in 1854. hence his ad-
ministration of the treasury depart
ment will hardly be partisan.
Representative Jones,o ,of this county,
has obeen subjected to some rather
severe criticisms by his republican
friends here for refusing to go
into the Benson house, and now
that Mr.. Huntington has withdrawn,
it will probably be in order to rake
him over the Goals. Both these gentle
men evidently know what they are
about, and we withhold comment,
leaving to the republican brethren the
pleasant privilege of roasting" their
representatives.
Senator Perkins, CT California, re-
mained at his post Of duty in Wash
ington while the California legis-
lature. was organizing and con-
sidering the election of U. S. senator.
He was reelected on the first ballot.
Squire, of Washington, and Dubois. of
idaho, came home 10 personally super
intend their campaigns, and both were
defeated. This should serve as an OBJ
ject lesson to senators who seek to be
to stay at their posts of duty |
in Washington attending to the inter-
ests of their constituents while the |
legislature is attending to the selection
of their successors.
The Dalles school district to authorize
the issuance of $4,000 bonds for the
purpose of paying off the floating debt
of the district. amounting to some
81 900, and to build new eight-room
school house. That another school
building is needed is beyond question,
but the proposition to issue bonds
running twenty years Is distasteful to
they consider it question
able policy to mortgage future genera
lions to pay for present improve
nents. There are those who go on
,he hypothesis that it is best to pay as
you go, and would prefer sufficient
AK levied this and next year to pay
or the new building.
Simon, Bourne and Mitchell are
coming in for large share of abuse
or holding up the legislature: but they
10 not merit nearly 80 much con-
lemnation as do the men elected to
he legislature. They are the ones
Who are to blame for the hold-up.
They were elected by the people to act
g Independent and fearless legisla-
ives, but instead of performing their
everal duties, they stuck their heads
nto the collars of a few bosses when
hey got to Salem. and have allowed
themselves to be led around like so
lany lambs. We cannot blame a boss |
DR. leading so much as we can blame s
hose who are being led. I
Senate Proceedings.