The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-12-19
FAST SIDE LEGISLATORS WILL
MAKE EFFORT TO DELAY
SENATORIAL ELECTION.
Demand for Railroad Comm'ss'o" 70
to Be Put Above Everything Else
in Legislature.

The settlement of the senatorial
fight may be delayed until Legislation
demanded by certain sections OF the
state has been provided. Those east
ern Washington MEMBERSHIPS OF the
legislature who have declared theif
primary interest is in the enactment
of railroad commission and similar
Hesitation. will demand that such bills
ne nassed before they line up definite
" on the senatorial fight.
IF the east side members follow the
course that has been outlined they
will give the senatorial contest a de-
cidedly uncertain aspect. No matter
how they vote at the outset their sup
mort cannot be counted upon definitely
until the desired legislation is out OF
the way, and the desertion of east side
members might be disastrous at any
time to any senatorial candidate.
While all the senatorial candidates
have conceded railroad commission
legislation the eastern washington
members elect want to be assured that
their bills will be passed. The better
chance of winning is by holding up the
senatorial election until the legisla-
ton is secured.
Uncertainty Of Fight.
Politicians closely identified with
west side senatorial candidates in
terests realize that the east side legis-
lotion must be pushed through at
once. 1t is admitted that this feature
gives an uncertainty to the fight that
cannot be avoided, and the DISPOSE
ton to adjust things by granting legis-
lation that will be passed in any
event is strong.
Had the majority in the legislature
been small senatorial politics could
have been played on railroad commits
sion and other legislation. The major
ity is so overwhelming that the chance
is lost. One after another of the SEN
atOrial candidates, eager to placate the
east side members, have signified
their willingness to support their bills,
and this support must be given first,
the members elect are demanding.
There are local appropriations that
will figure in the legislative demands,
but these are of minor Importance and
will be settled in order. The railroad
commission issue is the most import
ant of state matters and the principal
one over which the legislature has
control.
River Improvements.
In southeastern Washington the
members elect are demanding that the
Snake and Upper Columbia rivers be
opened. This is a matter that rests
largely with congress, and a guaran-
tee of senatorial assistance is about
all that can be secured. The legisla-
ture always cultivated the memorial
habit pretty assiduously and the GUS
tomary resolutions asking for relief
will come as a matter of form. In
the same way the principal aid on ir-
rigation matters must come from
congress, though amendments to the
state laws are necessary to enable the
government to aid the state. Amend
ments to the code approved by the
federal irrigation experts will be sub
mitted and probably passed.
The first week of the legislative ses-
sion will be given up pretty much to
the organization of the two houses, the
naming of committees, reception OF
the governors message and similar
routine preparatory details. The bal
lOting for senator does not begin I'M
til the second week, and if the east
side members votes will hold up an
election until Legislative questions are