The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-03-24

Special Dispatch 10 the Post-lntsli'gencer.
WASHINGTON, March ss,-For many
years IL has been the custom in congress
70 speak of the river and harbor appro-
priation bill as "the great pic distribu-
sion," and woe unto the iuckless member
who did not secure a good place at TIE
pie counter and a goodsy share In the dis
trlhution. Judged from this standpoint.
then, Washington's representatives have
not much 10 brag about. Neither have
the senator's for that matter. for in pass
ing any river and harbor bill those inn
provements already begun must he cared
for. and only the continuing improve
ments received attention this time. AZ
compared with Oregon, the state OF
Washington received the usual shabby
treatment, the appropriations for the for
mer aggregating over 100000. or to be
exact. N.s.ooo. while those for Washing
ton only foot up si5f 900. Over $2aa.ooo OF
the amount given to Oregon Is To be
spent along the Columbia river. and II
one would listen 10 the eloquent appsala
OF the Oregon senator's and members
when before their respective committees
on commerce and on rivers and harbnrs.
1t might readily be believed. without q
knowledge to the contrary. that these
great sums given annually to the Cos
lumbia river were for the benefit Of the
two great states between which that
stream flows. instead os for the upbuiid-
Ing of the metropolis OF Oregon solely.
The Oregon men are workers. every one,
none more elfectnai than Senator Me-
Bride. whose place on the commerce com.
mlttee gives him great advantage. Had
Senator Turner also been on the commerce
committee this year. as he will be In the
next congress- Mcbride would not have
had so easy victory In securing large
sums while WASHINGTON was grudgingiy
granted few thousands dollars in addi-
tion TO the mIserly appropriations OF the
house committee. Compare the list OF
the appropriations which will he expended
In the two states next year. and ray. who
can. that Washington. with her vast cx-
tent Of coast line and navigablc rivers.
has not been Disseminated against.
Detegatian II Divided.
Whether II would have been better II
Washington had had two Republican GEN.
ators and two Republican representatives.
az Oregon had is question which many
people will answer With their political
beliefs. No one VINO lives AT the national
capital long enough TO be familiar With
the course of legislation VIII say other
wise than that II Is best for state 10
send representatives who are in accord
with the majority party in congress. The
minority members usually receive scaut
consideration. Even when senator's and
members belong TO the party IN power.
they must stiii exercise sisepIess vigilance
and be ever present tn prevent other
states from securing prices. for eonxreAs
In much 80 lottery. there being only
time enough at each session "a pass n
small percentage az the bills introduced.
Appropriations too. must always be kept
within certain limits. so that when one
state gets y large sum II lowers the pos
sibtgit.sg Of large sums In other states
Following In table OF the appropria.
t,aus in the present river and hsrbnr bill.
which Will be available July I. for Wash
ttsgtor and Oregon.