davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-08-26

departments work Is found In the new
policy promulgated by the Harbor Line
Commission. which is under the new law,
one and the same with the State Board
or Land Commissioners, of leasing harbor
line areas. Why the Republicans allowed
these valuable lands of the state to so
unproductive Is a mystery. Governor Nc
Graw called attention to the necessity of
leasing these lands in 1895, but the pres
sure against 1t on the part of those VINO
occupied them without paying anything
was sufficient to prevent it. Or possibly
the ring politicians who controlled things
generally got a rake off" for securing
them immunity from rent.
However the new Board lost no time
In formulating rules and regulations for
devising a revenue from this source. In
these 1t was provided that:
Il. All lessees of harbor areas shall pay
TO the state an annual rental equal 10
3 per centum of the assessed valuation OF
an equal area of the abutting lot or lots
OF land If the area applied for be great
er or less than the area of the abutting
lot or lots. the valuation shall bear the
same ratio to the valuation of the abut-
ting lot or lots as the area bears to the
area of the abutting lot or lots: Provided.
As basis OF valuation on which rentals
shall be charged, all harhor areas applied
for shall he considered as extending 6NO
feet from the inner harbor line: Provided
further. If streets or other Worcestershire
property abut upon the area applied for.
the valuation of the harbor area shall he
based upon the valuation of the opposite
lot or lots separated by the said streets
or other worcestershire property from the
harbor area applied for.
80 Whenever any portion OF any har-
Dor area Is offered for lease at pubic
auction. the hid offered shall be for the
privilege of leasing such premises only.
and the sum bid shall he paid on the day
such privilege Is so let. Thereafter the
rental for such premises shall be paid to
the state as Is provided In rule l.
49, The books OF all lessees OF harbor
line areas, containing the receipts TOT
tolls from wharfage and dockage, shall
at all times be subject to inspection by the
State Harbor Line Commission, or any
agent selected by II for the purpose OF
making such inspection"
Wharfage rates have been reduced I'M
der the new regulations from 10 cents n
ton to 20 cents. which is a direct advant-
age to shippers. There has already been
paid to the state on account OF these rent
ais the sum OF $92S.73. and in July last
34s22 20 more was due and payable. and IN
course of collection. The revenue from
this source during the first biennial term
Of the Government will amount to over
S5nn0 and will likely be double that amount
for the second.
1t will no seen that the State Land COM
missioners have neglected no legitimate
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-08-26

ton of sos 000 Not content with making
these tide lands practically a gift to this
corporation, the said Commission failed to
perform it/ duty as laid down by the con-
stitution and laws OF this state IN whlch
they were required to lay our streets
to and across said tide lands, ana the fact
remains that not one street was laid out
by the said Commission In Tacoma from
the head Of navigation on Commencemeno
Bay to the Old Tacoma sawnill-a dis
lance Of nearly two and half miles.
The old Commission also laid out streets
in the harbor additions 80 as to accommo-
date the purchasers at the great neon
venience Of the public. In short. the pup
lie welfare was wholly forgotten In the
work Of DOODLE
Fighting Corporate Greed.
Az has been the case in many Eastern
cities. the big corporations have by brib-
ing Republican officials and politicians,
and are now, by attempted use OF the
higher Courts, appropriated or are en-
deavoring to acquire the water fronts OK
our Sound port cities without giving tor
them moro than the average bribes by
which they have ever corrupted Legisln-
lures, Courts and public officials In times
INST. But they have run against solid
wall Of opposition in this their nefarious
work in the present Fusion Government.
The people should study these matters
closely and give credit where credit Is
due. In this connection we quote from
The Seattle Daily Times Of May q. 1898:
"Harbor lines were established In Ia
coma In front Of the business center. ere
atine a reserve 100 feet wide. Under tho
r,enapement of the said former Board OF
state Land Commissioners. this railroad
cornoration was permitted to have COM
Meta Jurisdiction and control over the
water front. The present Board as con-
stituted attempted to exercise the right
conferred upon It by the constitution and
laws of this state and upheld and main
tanned nv the Supreme Court Of the State
OF Washington. by requiring said corpor-
alton to lease such harbor area. and fxed
a schedule Of tolls and wharfage to he
charged the public upon the water fronts
Of this state True to their corporate In
stincts. when an attempt was made by
the state authorities to exercise their
right in the premises and to establish
state control over the water front. petit
ton was filed with the War Department
asking 1t to establish the true harbor
line area or pierhead line by making 1t
coincident with the inner line: or. in other
words. to wipe out the state reserve
40 that the commercial interests Of the
neonle would he entirely in the hands Of
such private corporations.
"A similar petition was filed and signed
by the corporate interests IN the City or
Seattle with the same object In view.
This Is one Of the most valuable inheri-
tances Of the people Of the State Of WASH
1pgton which the corporations are thus
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-08-26

'T'" .'"'s q pound for soup bones.
"'~ ~ mn - roin1 ~ The Juan
f't ..."t- mr. mutton hy th- quarter.
.H ..s tlD if.r.S fHcu prevailing
g. 't".. ..u mlrh.t. Waon the Republican
''1ifrt u E '.' H'a't MAS 'ah"I 10 task
~ '..~ I:r.,.i -. ic r.rliel ;ht: n" was
It 9w -. - -Ii p Things uNiIl tie Auditor
'f ttts'd p IN Il Tn" feet. thus sh W.
i;e "W loose n'at''r> "" conducted
o. 90 r1''S taat would h'' allowed for
tttt"llrs .NI"r@-s IN the transportation
- .ous -. 'usane patients and incorrir-
~" .r'h by County Sneriffs, great
taNlrs has been effected to the state.
-" following comparative statement will
chow the good results in this respect.
lurirg the year 1898 there were trans
r'ed - tin" Institutions indicated per-
sons AZ the expense named as follows:
C1onyic's go. .....ic5 So . 81 g
mon iassPf.rsc yaa:5 ;l9 -: y y 80 &
For -" y'>'r ~ the. figures for the
Insane 23s 5.SS 20 q g
From these figures II will he seen that
there has been saved to the state in trans
Yortaiion alone:
On each conyct........sl2 9s: total. 1910 4
on each youth ........ % 81: total. i.5ls i2
This shows n total saving for one year of
ffFs79. 1t will be remembered that rail-
road and other carrier rates were prac-
tca'ly the Same those that prevailed
four years ago. The saving. therefore,
arises from cutting down hotel. restau-
rant. hack fare and other Inquiries. Dur
ing the four years of his term Auditor
Cheetham expects 70 save on these lines
alone more than $4,000. In short, the con-
etant vigilance. exercised by the State
Auditor over the peoples interests COM
mtted to his care IL worthy OF all praise,
and Is In keeping with the spirit of
watchful economy practiced by the whoe
Fusion state administration.
The Importance Of Mr.. Cheetham's posi-
ton In the state government was aptly
expressed by United States Senator Tur-
ner. who eaid 10 him soon after his cleo
ton: Friend Cheetham, as far as the
public interests are concerned there is
moro nj stake in the running of the Aud
ftor's ONCE than any other save the Gov
ernor's. Let me give you a hint. Give
no claim against the state the sanction
OF your name until you are fully satisfied
OF Its Justice and legality. BE in no hurry.
Let the other fellow walt" Mr.. Cheeth-
am caught on to this advice. and with
abe hearty cooperation of Governor Rog-
ers and the heads OF other state depart
ments. and OF It's institutions. together
with the wiling acquiescence Of nearly
all the county officers. he will be able to
render the best account for official COM
potency and economy that the State Of
Washington has ever received from his
department.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-08-26
$787,5.35.82


source Of revenue in their efforts to dis
charge the states debt obligations. Some
Of the corporations have resisted the at
tempt to collect this rent and have ap-
pealed to the War Department OF the Ma
tionai Government to make the outer and
inner harbor lines one and the same and
on the line of the latter, so as TO escape
the slight tax imposed. Such policy
would rob the state Of q most valuable
heritage.
Possibility OF Relief
An examination OF the records IN tho
Land Department, which show fraud.
recklessness and the most daring mis-
representations in assignments from orig
inal AUDITING claimants to tide areas.
suggest a little work for the next Iegis-
lature which may result In redeeming
to the state a vast sum OF Its stolen rev.
enues; that is. II the work IL fearlessly
undertaken and honestly carried out. H.
however the cause OF Fusion reform fails
at the hands OF voters. no relief on this
line can he expecteda for II will he self
imposed duty of n Republican Legislature.
II one Is ever again elected In this state
to cover up the dishonest acts of the ring
monsters OF that party.
An appropriation. which need not Se
large, for the purpose Of making a thor
ough Investigation OF titles In this respect
and contrasting them In the Courts may
prove n most profitable investment, by re-
storing to the state a million or more dol
lars worth OF property which Is now be-
leved to be held by large corporations
and which they acquired ny fraud snd
without proper title from lawful claim
ants. The latter. or their heirs. will no
doubt be glad TO assist In this work 10
they are not all bought up and bribed In
the meantime. They have been wronged
as well as the state and have an interest
In common with the people In this matter
Two or three very valuable tracts acqulr-
ed by one big corporation are known to
be ripe for profitable investigation and
it is believed by those In position to
know. that such Illegally and dishonesty
acquired lands run IN into the millions
Of dollars In value. There NAV he Hight
ahead on this line. 1t is worth some care
full consideration.
It Is evident that the work OF reform II
only begun. II will he the duty OF the
people to see that II IL continued.
Cost Of Land Department.
The following comparative figures Illus
trate the difference in the expense OF run
ming the Land Department OF the state
under Republican rule and under Com
missioner Bridges Of the Peoples Party:
Appropriations. biennial term
ending Oct. 81. 1902. T6s23 q
Appropriations biennial term
ending Oct. 81. 1894. 1885 n
Appropriations. biennial term
ending Oct. 81. 1896. Toss -
Average for each biennial term
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-08-26

days that came to an end in November
1896.
The New Fusion Regime.
We quote from the Fusion statute es-
tablishing the present department Of pub
lie lands es follows:
"The Commissioner of Public LANDS,
the Secretary of State and the Superin-
tendent of Public Instruction shall consti-
tute the Board Of Appraisers. Harbor Line
Commission and for the purpose OF selec-
ton Advertisement, sale or lease or school,
granted and other lands. the establish
ment of harbor lines. lease OF harbor area
and selection, and which have been grant
ed, or may hereafter be granted to the
State of Washington by the United states
and who for the purposes OF this act.
shall be generally known and designated
as the Board of State Land Commission.
ers''
Under that law. with Its simplifying sec
lions, Commissioner of Public Lanos
Bridges. and his two associates named.
took upou themselves perhaps the most
important work OF the state government
on the 18th of January, 1897. Now let US
see what they have achieved for tina pep
ple. and contrast 1t with some more or
the old Republican rascality In the same
department.
Under Republican rule contracts were
made by which the public lands were ioot-
ed of timber. or used for years without
payment to the state beyond the hrse
deposit of 10 per cent.
Evidences Of Hard Work.
Some idea Of the enormous amount OF
work done by the State Board OF Land
Commissioners may be gathered from the
following statistics of Its transactions
from November l. 1896. to June 30. 1898:
Number OF awards for sale of school
land. 25: number Of awards for sale OF
tide lands. first class. 105; second class.
IS: total, 1853.
Number OF contests settled by hearing
and stipulation. S..
Number of applications for lease OF har-
Dor areas. II.
Number OF acres Of timber on school
lands sold 1882.
Timber on University lands sold. acres.
10.
Total amount received from sale OF tim
Der, $S0.635.
Number Of acres OF school land sold.
1861. 80: amount realized. $3l 1850.
Valuable material on school LANDS solo,
$3.50.
Number OF applications for rights OF
way over school and other state lands:
BY counties, 6; by cities. 1: by railroads.
IA: total, q.
Purchased for permanent school FUND
Of state: Bonds Of school districts, $66Oo;
state warrants, s55.95749.
Revenue From Harbor Limo Leases.
One Of the good features Of the land
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-08-26
tree,s except upon the sufferance of such

streets except upon the sufferance of such
private corporations"
But ii would require more space than
the whole OF this publication to particular
fze In detail the plunderings of the Re
publican ring on account of Seattle tide
land transfers which amount practically
to gifts so far rs the state IS concerned,
but which no doubt filled the pockets OF
the members Of the gang who engineered
the stating.
Here is a Seattle tide area steal which
we extract from the official records in
Land Commissioner Bridges office which
we recommend that Republican editors
paste In their hats for constant reference.
on the 3'th of September. 1876, two sep
arate contracts We're issued to the Com
mercial Company. corporation, for al
the land between Marion and Madison
Streets and between Western and Rail
road Avenues. comprised In two parcels.
for the appraised consideration of s@7SS
each. or a total of s5576. The Commercial
Company assigned this tract TO the North
ern Pacific Railway Company. the same
property. on November 4. 1896. for a con-
sfderation Of s7491704. each parcel. or
total of sl49. S34.hS. and the deeds were Is
sued on November q 1876. The close prox-
unity of these important transfers to the
election which proved so disastrous to the
Republican ring "hoodlers" IS very sug-
gestire 70 say the least. Let there be an
investigation.
Space Is not at hand to enumnrate scores
and hundreds of smaller tide land steals.
Here Is a sample OF the many: Lot II.
block 324. Seattle tide lands, was assigned
In March. 1896 for 1856 to ]. NJ Frnk.
After running the guantlet of several as
signments 1t went to Charles r. Rartlette
on November %. 1897. for sl100. This does
not look as n that class OF property SUI
fered a decrease In value
One might mention instance after IN
stance where the state received less than
800 for harbor lots. as the appraised valle
fixed by the Board of Tide Land Commits
sioners. and assignments OF the same re-
corded in the Land Commissioners office
show sums realized for the same ranging
high up into the thousands. These acts
can easily be verified by anyone by an
examination Of the official records. They
cannot be denied. And the ringleaders
who managed these thefts desire % get
back into place and power this fall ny can
turing the Legislature. Is 1t any wonder?
What will the voters do about 1t?
Tacoma Tide Land Steals
A gigantic swindle carried out through
the old Board of State Land Commission
ers. or Tide Land Appraisers. Is to be
seeen in the method Of laying out the tide
lands in front OF the city OF Tacoma. The
Northern Pacific Railroad Company ac-
Quired title In 1896 to all Of the tile lands
lying between the Old Tacoma sawmll
and the head Of the bay for a considera-
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-08-26

endeavoring to steal. In the case OF .he
State eX rel. Denny VS.. Bridges, the Su-
preme Court in sustaining the position
taken by the present State Land Commits
sioner, said only last February: 1.-THE
State Of Washington at its formation had
before 1t the experience Of the world in
the regulation and control of harbor areas.
The constitutional convention well knew
that private control OF these waters had
always been inimical to free navigation
ana TO the public interests. The insidious
and plausible pretexts for the establish
ment of private interests in such waters
were a.so we'll understood, and, however
large the harbor areas within the domain
of the state. It was we'll known, from the
history of the past and the tendencies OF
the present. that the organization of pri-
vate interests in combination would be
sufficiently powerful to pervade all these
waters
Indeed. were II not for the firm stand
taken ~ the present Board Of State Land
Commissioners in thus thwarting corpor-
ate greed and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, the people
would nave already lost what little has
been left to them by the former admin
istratioa."
An Apology Exploded.
Some have endeavored to set up as an
excuse or defense for the Republican ras-
cality by which the state has been robbed
Of mary millions in the reckless disposal
OF it's Idle lands the plea that there has
heen a falling off in the values of realty
in the state since an approximate valua-
ton WAS placed on these areas in Seattle
and Tacoma at about 500 100000 Well, let
us see IL there can be any reasonable OK
cuse for the crime OF parting with even
$1,000 ONn worth of these lands for less
than half a million. rs has been done. on
the score OF falling values.
Turning to the official records we find
that the aggregate valuation Of all real
property In the state. including improve
ments. except railroad tracts. as equal
Ted in 1891. Is se66 ss7742. In 1897 II stood
at sls7, 6s7. 243 a decline say OF one-hale.
Let us give the Republican ring the bene-
fit OF this fall IN values. and even go as
far as TO admit that the proportion Of de-
cline named may be applied to harbor
lands. which II does not. and yet how can
100000 Of tide fat lands by the Repuh-
licans for one-tenth that amount especial
" when II Is proved. beyond a shadow
OF doubt. from the public records. that the
lands thus swindled away from the state
were Immediately after sold. and in many
cases before the original transfers were
recorded for five and ten times the amount
realized by the Republican Government.
Patch the affair up as you will. Smooth
Il over as you may. and the tide land ad-
ministration by the Republicans will for
ever stand out in bold relief as a monu-
ment of condemnation OF the doodle"
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-08-26

al interests Of the state at heart should
do what lays in their power to secure Q
continuance Of Fusion Government
throughout the counties OF the state this
fail. This ratio of Improvement should
be kept up. 1t is for the voters OF tho
state to say whether it will be continued
or not.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-08-26

during six years Of Republican

during six years OF Republican
rule ................ ...............s 81 ,351 II
Appropriations made by the Leg
islature of 1897 for office Of
Commissioner OF Public Lands
and Board Of State Land Com
missioners for biennial term
ending March 81, 1899 under Flu
Sion rIlle 90 csn m
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-08-26
BOARD OF AUDIT AND CONTROL
The Governor. Ex-Onicio Chairman;
Ernest Lister. Secretary and Trav.
cling Auditor. Tacoma; John G.
staiicup. Tacoma; n. j. snively,
North Yakima; DIR ,. Eugene
Jordan, Seattle; w. Ridpath.
spokane: Walter G. Chidcster.
Chief Clerk.

We have already observed how the
Fusion Legislature abolished the expen-
sive commissions that were created nv
tho Republicans for tho management Of
tho state institutions, and created In their
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-08-26
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

Frank j. Browne, Superintendent Of
Public Instruction; L. III. Leach,
Deputy Members State Board of
Education: Mrs. g. v. s. Rice,
Secretary, Tacoma; j. Il. Walker,
Spokane; j. H. Morgan, Ellens-
burg; w. j. Hughes, Fairhaven.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-08-26

For This service il is being paid. and paid
well, by the people of Washington.
How long will this condition of things
LAST Some ask with surprise and i'm
patience. Certain il is it will last until
the Legislature meets eleven months
hence. Many people think it will not
last much longer than that. but that will
depend upon how much influence the Sc
attic ring. It's Olympia branch and thu
Governor have with the next Legislature
This land commission OF Governor
McGraw's is doing less work and draw
ing more pay than any other department
of the state Government. It's methods or
business, its utter failure as commits
sion to accomplish anything more than
mere clerical work. and the failure OF
either people or state executive to rise
up and ask that this useless expense OF
at least $4,000 a year he stopped Is
striking illustration Of the proneness OF
the people in general to tolerate the evils
they have rather than crush them out
and he rid OF them.
Here Is the personnel Of the Land
Commission and the salaries paid:
Mr.. Forrest Commissioner of Public
Lands and ex-officio chairman...... $.00o
Frastua Rrainard Commissioner 1000
George Shannon. Commissioner 2coo
Mr.. Reed. Commissioner ... 1000
Ed Cowen secretary . 1M0
Mark Reed clerk .... 1900
A. J. Gillis. engineer Contamination. 1850
A. A. Booth. stenographer 1850
ro&,, st2 SSn
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-08-26
Revenue From Public Lands.

The State Land Commissioner, Robert
Bridges, has by far the largest share OF
the states business committed TO his care,
as against any other one department, and
Is the center of official industry at Olym-
pa. He Is very ably assisted by the other
State Land Commissioners. Secretary of
State VIII n. Jenkins and Superintendent
OF Public Instruction F. J. Browne. Fol-
lowing is a statement of the revenues de-
rived from the administration of the de-
partment from November !, 1896, to July
l, 1898:
Amount Of money received as
permanent school fund s1i5,eSo 81
Amount OF money received as cur
rent school fund ................. 2s1,s5s So
Amount of money received as tide
land fund ..........................2i 2277 50
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-08-26

This Is magnificent showing. and
places the work done by previous Repuh-
lican Administrations so far in the rear NJ
to make a comparison OF figures redicu-
lous.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-08-26

Total .....s..... ...s...ss.s.ss.s WI" W. y
This shows an excess for the fusion Pc
Rod ~ nfteen months over the Republic
an period OF two years Of ta7pS ~ e.. or an
excess az the fusion period Of hfteen
month. over the frst named Republican
reriod OF eighteen months 81 tsis. "a II. or
an excess Of the fusion period 81 nfteen
months over the same period Of Republic
an rule OF y7Sl bSss?
These figures are true and eloquent. ana
every teacher In the state Of Washington
and every person who has the education
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-08-26

Average for each biennial term