Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-02-24
&" In Reprisal" Be II.

N feprlSaI Be II.
The eNc"iug paper With pundcrous
gravity afi.ms that The severance of
business relations IN replisal is not in.
frequently two-edgcd sword, that
cuts both ways" and then somew hat
illocically observes, for support of it's
contention, that The nation, or COM
munitv, or individual that inil.cts de.
icn-.ve warfare on another Of its kind
elects 70 stand upon the laws of COM
bat, which, by immemoral usage, iu-
invests the attacked party with a
choice OF weapons
Certainly; that is Just what is
claimed and conceded, in retaliation,
or reprisal," for Tacoma's persistent
attempt to "hog" everything 10 sight,
regardless OF social amenities or bust
ness relations with community that
has during that city's ftful life con-
tributed SO much to her wcll-being and
comfort
1t has not been advantage OF loca-
ton or any superintendent availability
OF resource that has afford Tacoma the
opportunity to twice deprive Olympia
OF her own, but more a quiescent dis
position of our people to bear, up to
the full limit, the grasping selfishness
Of her neighbors. When the terminus
OF the Northern Pacific Railroad WAS
removed to Tacoma from this city, a
third of century ago, the act was in
some degree excusable from the fact
that the Puget Sound and Lake Super
ior land ring was composed largely OF
trust that existed within the railroad
corporation, which deliberately ignored
the report of its exceptionally capable
engineers made upon thorough and
mature investigation, solely to increase
the land subsidy by paralleling water
transportation service. The true in
wardness OF the movement has been
amply shown by a survey ordered
thirty years afterward to secure proper
gradients for heavy transcontinental
trains; and the report OF the late en-
gineers is just what it was when Olym-
pia was selected for the entrepot OF
ocean and transcontinental commerce
SO long ago.
The unfortunate circumstance for
our people has been that Olympia
ever was selected for the capital, even
of a Territory. Impressed with an
exalted opinion of its importance, our
people ever have been intent upon ca.
tering to the whims and caprices of
every other portion of the Territory
and State, to retain the capital and
the slight distinction and moderate
patronage that goes with il. Time
was when Thurston county was the
controlling factor in legislation and
the political policy of the common.
wealth, and the endeavor to be just
to all, was like tho Indian chief who
when complimented on his erect stat
ure declared. 80 yes; me so straight
me lean backwardsw Then it was that
King received the University and an
nual appropriations OF thousands of
dollars for Snoqualmie pass; Pierce
was accorded tho Hospital for the In
sane and for several years care OF the
Penitentiary convicts, and afterwards
the various other State institutions
were parceled out with impar.iality,
with the cordial support of Thurston,
and nothing was asked not paid for by
the general government in return.
until Statehood, when Olympia was
twice endorsed by vote of the State
for seat of government and twice by
that OF the Legislature for capitol
construction.
During all this time our people were
constantly on their good behavior, de.
spite the slurs and jeers OF would be
rivals envious of the small share OF
patronage accorded our town. In.
stead of policy Of "rcprisal," our
people quietly bore these insults and
injuries, until Legislature, by vicious
trading, formed q combine which has
secured the passage of bill to remove
the capital to q town which is to be
the BENEFICIARY of q corrupt bargain.
And now, when for the first time .
decent self-respect impels our com.
munity to strike back, we find q Ia.
coma-owned publication counseling
moderation! Are We to stand contin-
ual insult and contumely, or enter
upon vigorous policy of sslf-defense?
As the attacked party, we have chosen
our weapons of defense, nor do we
expect to avoid the usual chances OF
warfare, but rather invite them to
strengthen the resolution for a fight
that will continually harrass the en-.
envy. By this course, experience has
shown, we can compel respect, and
secure the aid of the truly courageous
in any project that carries with it
right and justice.
Now our people will find, in due
time, that the proposed boycott will
be q blessing in disguise, despite the
threatened retaliation of Tacoma.
The steamer Santa Barbara will soon
be returned to her regular service be-
tween San Francisco and this point.
1t will be found by our merchants and
tradesmen that about every article in
trade can be bought cheaper in San
Francisco, than at either Tacoma OF
Seattle. The stocks carried are larger
and the cost enough less to constitute