The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-25
ISSUES ON THE EAST SIDE.
Agitation for a Reduction in Rail-
road Freight Rates.
NEEDS OF PULLMAN COLLEGE.
Evidences of the Wonderful Ina
provement Of Conditions In East
era nEton-Some Of the De-
mands to BE Made Upon the state
A2afrs of Local Interest.

The result Of the election indicated 4
change on the part of Eastern Washing
ton with reference to the main political
issues. but such fluctuations occur in a.
most all communities without the accom-
paninaent OF physical changes. This is
not the case on the eastern side of the
Cascades Populism was accompanied by
ciiapidated barns and shabby stores: the
Republican vote is accompanied by paint
and electric lights. One who saw the
country towns from and including Spo-
kane down TO Walla WaIa three or four
years ago. and sees them rs they are
now, is struck with amazenlent. The
places are not the same: they are inhab-
ited by the same people but the people are
not the same. Then they were despond-
ent. pessimistic and even anarchistic.
walking with slouched shoulders and
hanging head Now they walk with an
independent stride. and are too h:.sy to
stand around the corners denouncing the
power Of money. They have the money
and they rejoice in its power.
Thousands OF dollars must have been
spent in paint during the past few
months. Stores houses and even barns.
are bright and prosperous looking In their
new coiors. OF itself an electric light Is
a simple thing. but multiplied by thous-
ands and kept burning all night in stores
1t represents a pleasant indifference TO
petty expenses. In Coifax, Pullman,
Pennington and Oakesdale, as typical
towns. there Is scarcely a store too mod
est to afford an electric light burning all
night, not only giving a certain protection
against burglars but frightening the
streets. Moscow is not in this state, but
1t is situated In that portion OF Idaho
which geographically and socially belongs
to us. and should politically. 1t suffered
with the towns Of Eastern Washington
and 1t Is sharing In the improved eon3i-
tons.
Eastern Washington has. however.
grievance. In no other part of the state is
there a question so profoundly stirring as
that OF railroad freight rates in the Pal
ouse country. Whitman. Kittitas, Doug
las, Stevens and Lincoln. and even Okan-
ogan, are interested In the subject. but
in Whitman particularly it is something
more than a topic-it is vital. living is-
sue. The Republican convention OF Whit
man county Incorporated a plank in its
platform pledging its legislative delega-
ton to use every effort TO secure passage
OF bill amending the present law regu-
lating transportation rates so as To re-
duce the maximum on car load lots of
agricultural products from si25 TO $50.
It Is prepared TO sacrifice any individual
ambition. No member OF the state legis-
lature dare take any action or refrain
from taking any action which has not for
its ultimate object this reduction OF rates.
No matter what ambitions or preferences
any member OF the legislature may have.
he will be expected TO yield them up II
by so doing he can win votes to this end.
This issue is the underlying motive in all
al tey. in 81 a he ha
eastern contingent.
The Republican party throughout the
state is seriously concerned in this ques-
ton. The mistake must not be made of
supposing that the question can be
slurred over and that 1t does not make
much difference whether the relief is af
forded or not. Upon this sole question
depends party success in at least four
counties which gave Republican MAORI
ties this fall. Many would prefer rail-
road commission SO that minor differ
ences upon points which cannot be COW
cred by an omnibus bill may be adjusted.
but even the Populist members are de-
terinined not to place the power OF APP
poifsnent In Gov. Rogers hands The
prejudice Is often unreason!ng; not In
frequently unjust: but 1t exists. and II
must be admitted that the Republican
leaders DO not seek TO check that feel
be passed at this session. much as those
who consider It the best means would like
to see 1t.
Another thing Whitman county and its
sister counties are deeply interested in
is the Washington Agricultural college.
They are proud of IL. and they have rea-
son to be- II Is magnificent institution,
Notwithstanding it's shabby buildings and
pa!try maintenance appropriation. The
appointment of President Graves as pres
ident OF the state university holds out
tho hope that its lost nonors viii be re-
covered. bat for the moment the eastern
institution Is superior 10 the western.
Within its scope It's achievements have
been greater and its work is on an equal
ly substantial foundation.
The number Of pupils enrolled for this
year is a57. and in addition 10 this the
winter school for farmers enrolled iss.
The number OF students enrolled in the
fall OK 1ss6 was only @. Every depart
meut is not only overcroa3e1 but the
classes have TO be held In every room.
and even then they have 20 take turns
The presidents private office has thus
TO be surrendered during IA part Of each
day. Ia some departments. particularly
that Of veterinary work. the lectures have
10 be- given IN little room which Is al
ready more than comfortably filed with
pathological specimens. and there Is no
place where operations can be performed
In the presence OF the Glars.
IN November. 1891 Ferry kall. the boys
dornlitDry was consumed 8y ire. with all
Its conteTts. The students lost all their
books and other effects. axg-egAtlnx
about $500 and their Joss would have
been very serious but for the generous help
rendered BY Tire pubic The ruins ssiu
stand. there being no provision for re-
building. That bilidirg. with others. had
bean insured BIZ ;he board % regents in
.S3. as then required ny lag but the
state auditor. acting on the advice 81 the
attorney general refused 10 ass9!t the bin
FOR the payment of the premium. and the
hoard WAS coupeils5 10 eauce! the pol
Icy. The reason given was that il was
The policy OF the administration 20 carry
al It's cxn insurance. the cost Of tYsssr-
Ing all state buildings being very large
Whether that was wise poiicy or not
the fact remains that the 5oruaiscry was
destroyed, and the boys are scattered All