The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-04-20
MEMORIES or J. p. RhARP.
Continued from pnge One.


mind is moved to wonder on the
mighty source of things, and when the
hart gives forth its secrets without
hias and without restraint. ! have
been with him when the position of a
representative OF his people he was
studying to advance the public veal in
the enactment and modification of law:
ar in senatorial contest where graft and
trickery and debauchery run riot. |
have been with him when weighed
down with bitter grief at the loss of his
children. | have been with him in the
moment of political victory when the
heart swells with pride and triumph,
and always found him the same plain,
thoughtful, sympathetic, hopeful hon
est man, ever pursuing the highway Of
right.
A, a legislator have watched his
course and have been astonished at his
easy grasp Of public questions.
During his first term in the legisla
ture, another, also Il member of that
body and possessing the civic interg
rity of Mr.. Sharp, said to me SHARP
is an honest man, but he carries it too
far to be a good legislator, he will not
yield any support to Il measure he does
not like in order to get votes for his
own measures" From that time have
been his ardent supporter as the safest
kind of man to make our laws. Il "a
thing is wrong is wrong it ought not to
be snapped into law for the purpose Of
getting something enacted that is right.
This is the source of most of the vic
ious and eXtraVarant measures that
find their way on to our statute books.
He possessed the rare faculty OF
measuring up situations without the
necessity of tedious analysis or detail
ed invests cation.
He knew LOBBYIST or CRATER and
comprehended their designs by unerr-
ing instinct. He never ilockcd with
them, being not OF their feather.
Seeing schemers together he intue-
lively understood their aim, He knew
men well and no scheme in legislation
or politics ever escaped his searching
inspection.
He sought no political preferment
for his own personal advantage. Every
body always knew where to find him
He never voted ''scatterin.,' but upon
every important issue Immediately took
sides and no one was ever in doubt
whore he stood.
He appreciated the confidence and
esteem of fellow citizens aud had i'm
plct confidence in the loyalty Of his
friends.
He never betrayed those who had
supported him for the purpose of gain
ing followers from their opponents but
always consulted with his friends leav
ing his enemies to consult him.
He never assumed to know more than
his constituency, but sought to know
and carry out their desires.
He was plain and simple in habits,
careless OF dress or show, and possessed
an Unborn contempt for fashion and
conventionalty.
Void of hypocracy, honest and W
right in all his dealings he hated du-
plicity and scorned todyism.
Educated in the school of experience
and observation with none of the so
called advantages of academy or col
lege, his originality was free and un-
tainted by the literary liliputians of
his time
Being courageous anil self reliant,
Independent in thought and confident
in his own judgment, he reasoned for
himself
Sympathetic and hospitable, he loved
his fellowmen and was proud of the
confidence they reposed in him.
He was fitted to fill any place to
which man might call him: some have
reached higher position in the state,
but none have been better equipped TO