Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-08-26

worth of property in addition 10 that
mtrly exempted from execution and at
tachment to every house holder in the
etatc. This measure was deemed wise -
q protection 10 the honest but struggling
poor ana milIle class who We're suffering
from the strinSency of the times. and
was tn" only available means of defense
against the crushing influence Of the gold
standard monopoly.
These liberal exemptions from execution
ami foreclosure have been criticised by
some Republicans, who declare that tho
Law is calculated to prevent capital conf
ing here from the East for investment.
and 10 injure the credit of the state
abroad. There is no ground whatever for
either Of these views of the case.
The law came measure of relief and
protection at the close of Republican cx-
travagance. and at a time when there
was positive danger that many Of the
smaller homes OF the state would be wiped
out. Mortgages we're being foreclosed
right and left as the records in the courts
VIII show, and executions were issuing
thick and fast 10 satisfy debts contracted
when times were good and when there
We're good prospects that the obligations
would be met without difficulty.
The situation had become serious. 1t
looked as II a large proportion Of the
poorer people might, unless business and
Industrial conditions quickly improved. he
stripped OF what little property they had
left, and the means Of earning a liveli-
hood, and thereby become public charges
upon the few who would be able to hold
out Hence the law was necessary. 1t
was never intended that il should be per-
manent. but continued in force only until
such time as the further development ot
the states resources would bring about
conditions rendering It unnecessary.
Acting in this way and for the purposes
named. the law has been OF great value
10 the otherwise helpless. and reflects
sTeet credit upon the wisdom of tie Fu-
sion Legislature.
An act was also passed exempting 500
worth of personal and $500 worth of I'M
provements from taxation, as n measure
10 assist the poor. and to encourage them
TO press forward in the work of develop
ing the resources of the state until times
should improve. The fate of this law as
melted out by Republican intrigue is fully
set forth in another part of this publica-
ton.
Board Of Audit and Control.
The Legislature also established the
Board of Audit and Control. abolshing
the expensive boards that mismanaged
the state institutions. and placing them
on most economical and efficient foot
ing. A full account of this excellent move
ment Is given on another page.
The Fusion legislative body very prop
erly abolished the old corrupt and expen.
sive appointed Land Commission. and
placed In its stead state officers who had
been chosen by the people, viz: The Land
Commissioner. the Secretary of State
and the Superintendent OF Public In
struction, who serve in tina. capacity
without extra pay. The work of this
commission. which stands to the great
credit Of the Peoples Party. is fully given
elsewhere.
Many other good measures were enact
ed by the Peoples Party Legislature OF
1897. and that body's excellent work of
reform will go dcwn in history to future
generations as an example of ability hon.
esty and economy worthy the emulation
of future law making bodies in this and
other states.