The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-31

admit, by inference even. that ever hau
a reputation to lose. Nj Euitorss Refer
ring to your editorial of May 2, unaef
the heading, "A Viliainous Job, in &hat
respect did the extension of these CO.
tracts become 1.-THE most viliainous. out.
rage to be found in the history OF any
city or state?' Are you so entirely re
norant Of the statutes of the state OF
Washington relative to waterways as 10
term the exercise of authority. vested IN
the commissioner of public lands by me
vate property? What private property
do you refer to as being forfeitedE the
people Of the state OF washington ISM Isin
lature, have laid out and established,
with the approval of the United states
war department, waterways TO ana anu
facilitate commerce and navigation, ana
Judgment and powers vested in it. has
d. The apns s hag p ape
vided the methods for the payment OF
same at an enormous cost to the tax
b OF n tne state az S N
ton no rights to be respected, ana does
it become an act of villainy, on the part or
sions of law, he considers and extends a
contract existing between the people OF
the state of Washington and waterway
company?
Tide Land Owners May sweat.
You state in this editorial that ''the
people may sweat for all he cares" IRE
ferring to mel 1 suppose you mean the
individuals and corporations who secured
that said tide lands be filled under the
terms of certain waterway contracts:
Are you fearful lest ex-senator Frink and
others and Judge Burke and the corpora
tions he represents Will be required 10
comply with the law of the state OF
Washington on the contracts entered into
between them and the state OF Washing
ton? II these are the people who are to
do the sweating / certainly do not care
how much OF 1t they do in this particular
instance.
Would Like to Debate the Matter.
In the same editorial 1 note the follow
ing: But those people will draw their
own differences, and their conclusion Is
one that will drive Mr.. Bridges from pub.
of honest men," Mr.. Editor. / am not
catering to the opinion of individuals or
corporations. who consider this offciai act
OF mine dishonest in any particular. 1t
certainly would afford me great pleasure
at any time in the near future TO discuss
the merits of this question from the stump
before the citizens of this great common
wealth. ! will, in all probability have
such an opportunity. II would anord me
greater pleasure to divide time on the
platform with any person who. takes is
sue with me upon the merits of this sub
ject / am gratifed TO known that my
action in sustaining the extension has
been commended by many leading citi-
zens of Seattle. by some even whose
names had appeared in the press as OPP
posed to my attitude.
In another paragraph of your editorial
of May "a you state: "Of fraud there
Is no present proof. Permit me TO TO-
quest at your hands. II at any time in
the future you become possessed through
the individuals and corporations whom
you represent In this matter. of any In
formation pointing to fraud in connection
with this extension, that you VIII make
the same public.
Denies Secrecy of Extension.
at al nf VTrt.
1900 under the heading THE State Sean
dalized." you state: THE action OF Com
missioner Bridges In renewing secretl.'
the outrageous contract with the Seattle
4 Lake Washington Waterway Company
Is a dereliction so fragrant that IL reflects
upon the fame of the entire common
wealth." Permit me to call your atten-
extension, after having been received In
this office. which is a public office at all
times, was referred to the office OF the
attorney general. and an opinion was
received from him before any action on
my part was taken in the matter. You
further state: mo such scandal mas ever
been known In the political history of
Washington. Its black shadow rests up
on those who are responsible for Bridges.
and upon the administration of which
he Is a member in good standing" In
what aspect, Mr.. Editor, Is this a scan
dial. Doee the official act of a ministerial
officer, complying with the requirements
of law under the advice of the attorney
general, constitute scandal
Asks scrutiny and Criticism.
AS TO the citizens of the state Of Wash
ington who are responsible for my cleo
tion and to all the citizens of this great
commonwealth. permit me to say. rela-
tive to my conduct commissioner of
public lands, that 7 heartily invite the
closest scrutiny and severest criticism
OF each and every official act of mine
during my incumbency In office.
In conclusion, permit me to state that
I have no fault to find with the news
papers OF the state of Washington criti-
cising any official act of mine On the
contrary. I hereby invite just criticism
from the press or from any other source,
on any official act of mine.
MY only object in writing this COM
munication Is TO endeavor to eradicate
from the minds of the people of the state
of Washington any erroneous impression
that may have arisen from the unjust.
scsndalous and outrageous attacks made
upon me through the public press by In
ference, innuendo and indirectness reli.-
tive to the extension on the contracts
OF the Seattle * Lake Washington Water
way Company. Respectfully.
ROBERT BRIDGES,
Commissioner of Public Lands.
Dated at OIVmuIa Wash Nav lam