Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-08-26
A CLEAN 4
RECORD!
Review OF the PEOPLES
Party Administration
OF the State Gov
eminent.
Written by Lieut.-Gov. Thurston Daniels.

Inc Popu!ist administration Is entitled
10 and will receive the credit for the splen-
did financial condition in which the state
mas been placed during the last year and
halt. Prior TO the last election the fin-
anclal affairs of the state were conducted
In such reckless manner that state war.
rants We're at a heavy discount and the
necessity for closing up certain public in
sututons or the state was q matter of
serious discussion.
Inc Republican newspapers howled II I'D
ana down the state that Populist success
meant certain disaster, and that, in fact,
the possibility of defeat of the Republican
rarity was serious menace to the best
interests of the people. Prior to the last
election We had hard times, and the Re-
publican press freely admitted it-purelv
ior campaign purpoSeS-yet conditions are
IN reality no better now than they were
TWO years ago. Since the last election the
farmers nave harvested an immense grain
crop, whlch, on account of the foreign
snort crops, has brought them a fair price
win TINS one exception there has not
Deen cause for congratula ton on the mart
or the wealth producers of the country.
The rise in price OF wheat was merely a
matter OF rare good luck, and now that
foreign nations have good prospects for a
normal yield of grain this year the price
mas again In this state slumped below the
half-dollar mark.
But during the two years preceding the
last election-the time admitted by the
republican press to be unusually severe
the Republican Party put this state in
DEBT at the rate of $l025 per day, and this
according to their own sworn statementsi
During the first fourteen months Of Popu-
list control OF this state this leakage Of
slU2o per day was stopped and s1202 per
day was saved and applied to paying OF
the enormous state debt piled I'D under
the former administration.
Under judicious legislation and the prac-
tice of economy and strict honesty in the
conduct of affairs. state warrants becams
a good investment once more and are
now and have been for several months
worth cents premium-better than gold
Dug gold dollars. Over 5000 600 OF the Re-
publican debt has been wiped out, and
$4,000 Of the state bonds have been paid
off. and the holders of the balance of
these bonds have made a proposal to re-
fund them when due at a still lower rate
OF interest.
And this is an illustration OF the dis
aster" which the Republican press predict
ed would result upon the success of the
Reform forces in this state. But the Re-
publicans declare that they would have
made equally rs good n record IL Mr.. Sullf-
van and his party had carried the state.
In view of the fact that during the two
years OF admitted hard times" the Nc
Graw administration continually increased
the state debt until II averaged sI025 ner
day. is It reasonable to suppose that Mr..
Sullivan and his party would have cur
tailed expenses and practiced economy
during the period Of good times" which
they claim has followed the election of Mr.
Mckinley?
No sensible citizen believes they would.
On the contrary. It Is reasonable to sum-
pose the state debt would have been in
creased instead of diminished Hence We
say TIE Populist administration has full
filed the promises made for it. has re-
stored the credit Of the state, and is en-
titled to the commentator Of all good cit
liens.