The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-05-09


senger rates in this state. We are in
favor of the equal taxation of all class
es of property
Not one line of legislation was pass
ed in redemption of this pledge, al
though Governor Rogers strongly urged
the creation Of an appointive railway
commission in a special message to the
Legislature in which he recited the
benefits of such aacommission in Iowa
and Texas.
In 1900 the republican state platform
declared:
we favor the adoption and enforce
ment of just and equitable laws regu-
lating and controlling the railroads.
In the face of this declaration the
republican legislature defeated the
Preston commission bill, the Tolman
commission bill, a straight freight rate
bill, and every other measure proposed
for the regulation Of railroads.
In 1900 the party platform came out
strong for an anti-pass law and for a
railway and tax commission. The
plank was as follows:
we are in favor of the passage by
the next legislature of an anti-pass bill
in conformity with the provisions of
the state constitution. We are in favor
of the passage of a bill by the next
Legislature establishing a railroad com
be appointed by the governor, no more
than two to be taken from the domi-
nant political party, said commission
to be clothed with powers to reg Ilate
freight rates ana passenger fares. to
determine the value of all property for
assessment and taxation. to prevent
unjust discrimination, and to inquire
into and remedy such abuses as may
be found to exist.
How this plank was repudiated by
the last republican legislature is still
fresh in the minds Of the people OF the
state Men who had given their solemn
pledge to be true to this plank in the
party platform basely betrayed the
trust placed in them by their cOnstitu-
ents and surrendered themselves
souls bodies and breeches, to the rail
road lobby. Having seen how tamely
the people submitted to repeated be
f lJ,ll
champions. it is no wonder that these
recreant legislators felt that they
could with impunity give another ex-
ample of perfidy and dishonor.
Now another attempt is to be made
to fool the people by an insincere,
meaningless commission plank in the
party platform. The railroad organs
and politicians started out a few
months ago by opposing any kind of a
lard the progress and prosperity of the
state. Later they began to talk of an
advisory commission such as Oregon
demonstrated to be a costly failure.
Next they were forced to advocate an
elective commission and now they are
for any kind of commission provided
Governor Mcbride be turned down and
a tool of the lobby be nominated for
governor.
The people of this state are patient
and long suffering in their devotion to
their party fetish 1t is for that reason
that the republican leaders have been
able so long to hold a majority of the
voters in line despite the base betrayal
of their interests. But occasionally the
people rebel. They did it in 1896 and
in 1900, and unless ali signs fail they
Will rise in revolt again this year and
defeat the railroad lobby, horse, foot
and Dragons by the election of a dem
OCratic governor and democratic leg
islature pledged to the enactment
of an effective railway commission and
an effective tax commission.
Republican folly this year Will mean
democratic opportunity.