The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-01-06
G. C ANGLE. Editor and Proprietor

OF the press its best wishes for the
prosperous New Year sure TO be their
portion for 1899, in return for their
kindly words anent its entering the
teens No profession does more gra-
tuitous and unselfish work for the up
building of Washington and the pros
perity of its people, than the newspa-
per men, and they deserve whatever of
the substantial things the fates may
have in store.
AT II o'clock on Sunday the U. S.
flag was raised over Havana, and the
Island of Cuba is now under the con-
troll of the United States, having a
temporary military government. The
change was simple ceremony, the
Spanish authorities walking out of the
palace to the wharf to embark for
Spain, and weeping profusely at the
parting. Our troubles, borrowed in
the interests of the oppressed people.
are BY no means over, but we have full
faith that the administration is equal
to the task of establishing Il stable gov
eminent and making the islands pros
porous.
THE legislative committee appointed
at the last session to investigate the
proceedings under which the Northern
Pacific Railway Company claims to
have acquired and exercises control OF
the lands, rights, privileges and fran
chises of the Northern Pacific Rail-
road Company, has made public por-
ton of its coming report, to the effect
that the aforesaid lands and rights
were unlawfully required, and that the
new company does not have title to
the unpatented lands of the old COM
pany. 1t is not likely that the COM
pany has jeopardized its interests in
the transfer, but that the matter Of
their titles has been fully considered,
and cannot be disturbed 10y the legis-
lature.
ALTHOUGH the fish-trap octopus will
make hard fight to hold what they
already have, and secure as much more
favorable legislation as is possible,
they will be willing to join with their
opponents in securing as many hatch
cries as the coming legislature will
provide. The bulk Of the fish spawn
on the upper Sound, and there should
be located most OF the hatcheries,
therefore at least two should be estab-
llshed in Mason County. Our repre-
sentative, Mr.. Gunderson, has fully
informed himself on this matter and
will make a strong effort to provide
abundant hatcheries to Offset in a
small part, the wholesale destruction
of the traps.
ALEGIsTIvE enactment providing for
regulating the width of tires for road
wagons is a thing we are looking for
from this session, says the Sidney In
dependence. The bicycle is an event
that has opened the eyes Of man and
given him plenty of sympathy for the
horse. A tire four inches wide should
be on every wheel. Then our roads
would not be all mud. Use would
make them better instead of worse.
They have been tried in several states
of the east successfully. None of
them would go back to the old system.
A tire one and onehale inches wide
will cut up any good road and spoil it.
Let farmers and those interested in
good roads bestir themselves and some
good will come out of this Legislature.
The fifth session of the Washington
state legislature cOnvenes next Mon
day, and while we do not expect per-
lection from this body, tits safe guess
that it will not be such burlesque as
the last one. The majority OF the
present legislature have it in their
power to make record that will re-
fleet credit upon themselves and the
Republican party by electing the SEN
ator without needless delay, doctoring
few OF the freaks of the last legisla-
ture, passing the appropriation and
some other needed measures, and adj
journing without encumbering the
statutes with lot of unnecessary leg
islatioa. The revenue, road, school,
fish, freight, and some other laws are
In urgent need of correction, and it
will take time to study them, but look
out for the lobby.
ONLY a year ago Mr.. Bryan lifted
his voice to declare that silver was the
paramount issue, and he consecrated
himself as its champion, vowing that
if every other man in the country
abandoned tho issue he would still be
found doing battle for it. He was
willing to so down with the ship if
need be, with his colors nailed to the
mast. But ii you search his keynote
statement you will find nothing about
silver. He substitutes undying hos
tility to ssthe imperialistic idea" Is he
readrsto sacrifice his Efo for - % 4 :,