Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-01-08
a Paramount DUTY.

PIE. III never excuses abuse OF an Op-
ponent for his mode Of thought or
manner OF action, and though, in the
heat OF party contention, a wide lati.
tude may be allowed, during a closely
contested campaign, it has been amply
shown that when either party departs
from truth or justice it is at the rick
OF recoil which does much more
harm than good to the side il was de-
signed to promote.
Especially should spirit of tolera-
ton be extended to political opponents
elected to important Offices. The mo-
meRt the poll closes, contention should
cease and all true citizens form the
resolve to stand firmly with those
elected to administer each public trust.
4 true citizen elected to Office, no
matter how much Of a partisan he
may have been, will recognize the fact
that he has become the representative
and exponent of the whole people, and
not merely of the faction and party
who made success possible by their
votes, and be will, so far as lies in his
power, endeavor to subserve the best
interests of tho people, according, Of
course, to the light that is given him.
Ever voter should likewise resolve to
stand by the officers chosen, in every
department of the public service, be
they executive, Legislative or judicial.
Carping criticisms and captious fault
finding are mistakes, if intended as a
profitable groundwork for political
capital. when it is construed to be
simply means for partisan advance
ment. The very hour a State execu.
tive is inaugurated-or, in still closer
relationship with the people, a Mayor
is seated-he should be accepted as
the exponent of authority, whose off,
cial acts should be approved, except in
cases Of most fragrant perfidy.
1t is under this view OF the duties OF
citizenship that the writer has at
times deemed it duty to approve the
course of officers he took no part in
electing, such as that of the retiring
Mayor. as demonstrated by results. 1t
may be that some policies adopted
have not been altogether acceptable to
many of our citizens, but the results
show we'll in relieving the strain on
over-taxed pockets, and if no individ.
ual, or party, had the courage to make
a close-cut issue on the matter, it is
now too late to grumble about it. If
the policy has apparently been en-.
dorsed by the people, we can 60 no fur.
Their than question the methods of dis.
senting Republicans-those Protes-
tants, As it were, from orthodox rule
who used blunt boomerangs instead OF
steel'tipped arrows, for defeat of the
cuisines methods" ticket. If the
Democratic party is to have any fur
Their aid from such allies, there should
be bond exacted that razors instead
of bludgeons should be used in the
sanguinary conflict.
The warfare that is being made by
the exponent OF the Protestant gang
on the County Commissioners seems
to be q personal matter, in which
spleen more than principle is involved.
So far they have been able to give
most excellent reasons for their course
than the dissenters have in support OF
their charges. Whether true or not,
the people seem tired OF the constant
attempt to pull down public and pri-
vate character, and the malcontents
should have discovered long ere this
that it was losing game.