The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-09-27
the democratic candidate.

the democratic candidate.
But an official elected by the repub-
lican party on that platform betrayed
his pledge to the people. The legisla-
Ire elected at that election. which was
1publican By a large majority. passed
what was known as the WATSON bill
educing the rates on grain and other
commodities. This bill was vetoed by
Lieutenant Governor and Acting Sec
e;ary Charles f. LaughtOn, an act
Which was denounced in vigorous terms
1892, the next democratic convention
held TO nominate state officers. The
democratic convention of 1892 was held
1t Olympia, Aug. "a. Ex-Governor
Louis X. Church. of Snohomish county
was chosen permanent chairman and
w. J. Starr of Chehalis secretary. The
convention adopted the following
planks:
Democratic Platform Of 1892.
We denounce the actions of Charles
Z. Laughton. acting governor. in We
toing the WATSON bill reducing freight
rates and the law requiring railroads
to fence their tracks.
I'VE pledge ourselves to favor rea-
sonable legislation reducing freight
rates and fares charged by transport
tation companies in this state"
The republican state convention of
1892 followed that of 1889 in declaring
FOR railroad regulation by law. The con-
yertion that year was held at Olympia
Aug. 10. l.. 5. Hewlett Of Yakima was
chosen chairman and r. ]. Quigley of
King secretary. That convention adopt
ed platform which included this
plank on the railroad question:
Republican Platform of 1892.
we believe that the betterment of
or Industrial and producing classes
should be the first care of this state
and promise such legislation as will
insure a reasonable reduction in
charges made by those engaged In
transporting freight and passengers
whenever such rates are proven to be
4NnoIDitant and excessive"
On this platform, despite the be-
trayal of the same promise made in
the platform OF TIE preceding republic
can convention. the republican party
vas returned to power being given a
majority Of the members of the legis-
lature. BY the time the legislature
convened the cutlery for the faithful
performance Of this promise had be
come SO great that even the railroad
leaders saw that it would be dangerous
therefore consented to the passage of
a rate reduction law. though refusing
to permit the law to provide a reduc-
ton to a point below a maximum rate
on grain from eastern Washington of
$4.75 ton. A bill providing for a
maximum rate of $3.50 ton was
passed by the house but the senate re-
fcsed to rClcFr = this rate and a
compromise WAS e..ectel on the maxi
mum rate of $4.75. TIL rate has since
been reduced twice, once by the fusion
legislature of 1897 ana once by .De
1902
However, it is very evident that the
feel that the action of this Legislature
had fulfilled their promise for a rea-
sonabe reduction of rates This Is
plainly shown by the action of the re-
publican state convention of 1894 il
renewing its demand for laws regulat-
ing freight rates.
Republican Platform of 1894.
The republican convention of 1894
convened at Spokane, Sept. 10. and was
one of the most exciting gatherings
ever held by the party in the state. II
was in that convention that occurred
the memorable contest over the adopt
ion of free silver resolution which
ended in the adoption of plank de-
handing the free coinage of the silver
produced in the United States at the
ratio Of IS to I. That convention
qGGptpd this Ilr0l, On the reouIa flor