Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-02-20
COlfax COmmoner.

The Commoner does not contend
that individually Democrats are any
better than Republicans. 1t does con-
tend that the Democratic party is far
superior to the Republican party, for
the reason that the latter is supported
and dominated by the railroads and
trusts, or in other words by the money
power. The Republican party relies
upon the contributions OF the big
corporations for its campaign fund, it
relies upon the brains and influence
OF the captains of industry" to carry
the elections and in return it allows
them to dictate its policy.
The Democratic party, on the other
hand, since 1896 has been directly op-
posed to the money power and has
been bitterly contending against the
Influences which dominate the Re-
publican party. The difference be.
tween the Republicans and Democrats
is clearly act out in the following
statement of prominent Adams
county farmer who has been at Olym-
pia, watching the Legislature in &C.
ton. He was one of the men who
voted for the Republican legislative
candidates last fall ON the theory that
it was the proper way to hold up the
hands Of Governor Mcbride. He
says:
"What . contrast there is between
the record that the Democratic mem.
bers of the Senate and House will
take back to their constituents and
that for which the Republican mem.
bers and party managers will have to
explain. The Democrats have been
voting - one man for their party
platform. They stand as solid wall
in favor of q Railroad Commission
bill. There has not been the slightest
suspicion OF corruption or faint about
them. They have and will hold the
respect Of everybody, including those
traitors of the majority who have no
respect for themselves. This has not
been because there has not been
temptation thrown their way, because
they could have had almost any price
for betraying their party. In fact,
nothing would do the railroad lobby
quite so much good as 70 be able to
show that this matter Of perfidy and
dishonor is not a party question.
"There is a good reason for this,
and it becomes moro apparent ~
man is able to study the situation
here on the ground. A Republican
comes here fresh from his constituents
ready to do and die for principle, but
he is hardly on the ground until he is
appealed to by those having high
rank in is-party's councils to betray
his trusti 1t is pointed out to him
that those things for which he stood
during the campaign do not constitute
party loyalty and that they are not
Republicanism.
"He is surrounded by an atmo-
sphere Of corporation greed. In order
to be faithful to his constituents it is
necessary that he disregard the ad.
vice of those party leaders whom he
has learned by years of party loyalty
to regard a. the State builders. He
must break down the influence of the
party ties in order to hold out against
the railroads and big corporations.
When these things are considered it is
not strange that more than half OF the
Republicans from Eastern Washing
ton are seduced from the straight and
narrow path, and that the remainder
are whipped into line by the time
honored rule that the majority
should rule
"Now with Democratic legislators,
the reverse of these conditions prevail.
1 am not one of those who believe
that an average Democrat is more
honest than an average Republican,
but the Democrat who comes to Olym.
pia is surrounded by Democratic in
fluences, all OF which are used in be-
half OF the people. While it takes a
strong Republican to Withstand the
persuasion OF lobby and the party
workers that surround him and to re.
main loyal to his constituents, it takes
q Democrat with great deal Of hardi.