The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1898-08-25

Court bench who vas not Q partisan ad.
herent Of the Republican Party. A writ
er OF some note has summed up the sit.
uatlon correctly IN these terms:
The Republican Party controlled the
constitutional convention. blocked out,
framed. manipulated and passed the con-
sttution OF the State OF Washington. II
created twenty-one Superior Judgeships
when fourteen. at most. could and should
have done the work.
The most elaborate and expensive sys-
tenn OF county and municipal government
mad been devised In order that as many
OF the party as possible could find a place
10 reed at the public crib. and none but
true and tried partisans. who would do
tne bidding OF the masters, were ever
given or allowed place"
More than this, politics In its worst form
pervaded the entire educational system OF
the state from the management of the
common schools te the State University.
ana II must be said that there are lust
as many instances OF neglect and inca
pacity TO be met with in the record made
oy the republicans as there are OF down.
right dishonesty. Both prevail TO an
alarming extent.
me regents OF the State University have
appended large sum in erecting build
ihgs Tor that institution on a site on the
outskirts of Seattle. to which, owing 10
series OF hlunders, they have no title.
me fault lies with the regents. the late
republican Legislature and with the old
republican state officers. II will REQUIRE
iegisiation to relieve this situation OF en-
barra ssment
lmpibing tho spirit OF Republican ex-
uaVaGance many of the counties erect-
ca expensive public buildings far ahead Of
tne time and necessities existing, plung-
ing tne counties into debt which Fusion
county Government Is now struggling TO
pay on As In all such cases. Republic
an contractors came In for n thick slice
OF the taxpayers money. Lands which
should have been held for the benefit OF
future generations were sold to favorltes
at nominal prices, or mortgaged heavily
oy the issue of warrants
The public records reveal to those who
examine them numerous instances whers
contracts for the sale of school lands have
been issued to parties upon the nav
ment OF one-tenth of the purchase price,
contrary TO law This practice prevailed
extensively in 1890 and 1891 Not a dollar
was collected on these lands since until
inc feople's Party came into office, and
us energetic Land Commissioner cancelled
tHe contracts and declared the lands for
lelted to the state. In this way Commits.
s s Bridges has recovered upwards of
I"Oo acres of valuable school lands that
were in fair way to be permanently lost
General Decentralization.
IL Is very difficult to sum up the extent
OF rascality that prevailed under the old
regime in moderate terms Language
rails to do the situation justice Forged
warrants were issued. and general denor-
alzation prevailed in state and county
alike, In The Seattle Times of Nav q
OF the present year we find this account
OF the condition Of things:
In many Of the common school districts
the pundering had been so complete and
successful that the public schools were
closed In many Others they run only half
time. And In all districts the teachers
were forced to take warrants for pay and