The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1902-10-24

to any other republican. For political
perhdy there is no statutory penalty. If
one should listen to the siren voice of
those who assemble at the state capital
to seduce officials from their allegiance
TO party principle the culprit must be
left to the scorn of his political associ-
ates and the contempt OF all good citi
zens. II one should yield to the wiles of
the lobby instead of manfulIy living up
to the declaration of the party. thua
himself setting the seal upon his brow.
the chances are that the people at the
earliest opportunity, would lead him by
the shortest route to the political
shambles.
but it may be interesting to inquire
into the origin of the rumOrs that the
state platforms will be disreCarded bv
legislative nominees. OF course, some
| OF the democrats charge the republican
party with insincerity. But this NAV be
| dismissed as merely a campaign cry
that can not deceive, and that it's
authors can scarcely hope will deceive,
anyone.
but aside from these campaign cries
there are distinct rumOrs that major
lty OF the members of at least one
branch OF the legislature have placed
their consciences in the keeping OF GER
tain ones who draw regular stipend
from the railroads. Indeed, certain
gentlemen of vivid imaginations who
have perhaps forsaken the walks OF
literature for the noble calling of the
lobbyist have not hesitated to publicly
proclaim that majority of the legisla-
tive nominees are their creatures. The
tracing OF this rumOr to its source is it's
own best refutation. | would not in
suit any Legislative nominee, republican
or democrat, by haZarding even for a
moment the thought that it would be
possible for him TO betray his party at
the bidding of the Chief lobbyists who
assemble at the state capital to traffic
in the honor Of public officials.
Another claim modestly put forth by
some OF these lobbyists is that thev will
hold the voters in the hollow of their
hands, and can elect republican or
democrat as they see fit. In districts
where the nominees of each party will
humblY bend the knees and worship at
their shrine they graciously inform us
they Will not interfere. But in districts
where the least sign of manhood is
shown, they propose to place the legis-
lative nominees on the carpet and to
issue certificate of election to the most
plant. Such is their program as
CLEANED from the statements of their
chief lobbyists and their creatures and
from inspired articles appearing in the
press.
S'And who are these men who offer
this double insult-an insult to legisla-
tive nominees by assuming that they
they can be induced by a price to be-
tray their parties-an insult to the man
hood OF the state by assuming that they
can vote the voters like so many cattle
who are these men, | ask? They are
professional lObbyisrs-men who know
neither party nor countrywide sneer at
civic virtue and mock at party loyalty,
who assemble &C Olympia to control all
legislation in the interest of the master
that pays them their gold. And in the
game, the honor and the manhood and
the good name of members of the leria
lature are considered by them as simply
pawDs.
Think of their effrOnteryI The people
through both republican and demo-
cratic conventions have declared in
favor OF an antipass bill in compliance
with the provisions of our state cOnsti-
tuition, and in favor of railroad com
mission clothed with adequate powers:
and yet these men insOlently bid defiance
to the popular will, claiming that by
the we'll known arts of the lobbyist thev
will seduce your public servants from
their allegiance and use them to further
their own purposes.
"The overshadowing question in this
state, shOrn of it's nOnessentials. ia this:
Shall a cOrruptionist enthroned in
Temple Flats control all legislation. or
shall the people rule?
"Many men honestly differ as to the
wisdom or efficacy of railway commits
sion; but as to whether platform pledges
should be lived up to, and as to whether
an INSCRIPTIONS lobby should assemble
Tor the purpose OF setting at naught, by
means of bribery and corruption, the ex-
pressed will OF the people, there can be
NO difference OF opinion among good
citizens"
Governor McBride's argument and
answer to those who say that q railway
commission would hinder the states de-
velOpment, was q complete one. No one
can gainsay anything which was uttered
in that speech. On the other hand the
resources of the state will be more rapid
ly developed.
Senator WarbuftOn of Tacoma ac-
cOmpanied the Governor and preceded
him with a speech in which he dwelt at
some length upon the SUI iect OF railroad
taxation in this state. Mr.. Warburton
has given considerable study to this
particular phase of the question and
presented many facts and figures which
are salient features in this campaign.
His address was well received.
lreland's Population Decreasing.
The recent census of LELAND shows O.