Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-02-24

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED FOR AND
AGAINST.

HhSHt, Dut arc WOISteu III SOteS-InC DOWI
nant Party Has Hung a Milestone to its Neck
to Subserve Spite Of FusIemen and Selfish
ness Of Land Spectators.
The topic OF interest, in the assem-
bly,, last Friday, at 1890 A. NJ, wa;
the capitol bill, which came from the
Judiciary committee with a majority
report representing seven member.
favoring passage and minority re-
port signed by six recommending in
definite postponement.
Neither report was voted on, how
ever, but the bill was placed on its
third reading, on motion of Reid oil
Pierce county, under a suspension o
the rules.
Booth. of King, was the first speaker
He began by stating that the bills
importance had hardly been recog.
nized by the members OF the Legisla.
ture.
q believe that never before in the
history of the United States" he con.
tinued, "much less in the history ol
this State, has a question of so great
importance as this, been approached
with so little deliberation. In fact, i,
has not been given as much deliberation
as some of you members would give in
sitting down to a game of solo. There
Is no popular demand for a removal OF
the capital. The demand comes from
few lawyers and politicians and just
a few of the members of this Legisla.
ture. The argument used by some oi
the members that it is not moving
the capital, but submitting it to the
peoples vote, is that of q coward"
In conclusion Booth took up the
financial condition of the State, re.
viewing the statutes of the State land
grants and arraigned in severe terms
those whom he accused OF being back
of the movement. He argued that
under the law the capitol building can
be used for no other purpose. Re.
ferring to the high rate of taxation he
contended that it discourages outside
capital and then he eaid that in mov-
ing, the Legislature would be put ten
years behind because for that time it
would have to convene in shacks.
"About one per cent. of the people
of Washington visit Olympia because
it is the capital and by virtue of its
being what they claim, inaccessible
and because they cannot secure as
comfortable accommodations as are
available in their home cities this hand.
ful-this one per cent. demands that
ninety nine per cent. saddle them.
selves with the enormous debt that
the former may be more comfortable.
"The magnificent land grant pre-
sented by the government for State
capital purposes is represented by the
present State house, a building emf.
nently suitable for legislative purposes
for the next twenty-five or thirty
years.
CAT the end OF that time If a re-
moval is considered necessary then
we will have the money and will be in
a position to consider the action favor
ably"
Representative Aver, of Thurston,
followed stating that the question was
purely one of business and not senti.
ment. While Olympia may not be
thoroughly accessible at present, it
would be in few years with the con.
struction OF an electric line and the
buildin & OF the Northern Pacific main
line through the city, as contemplated.
Judge S. A. Crandall, OF Pierce, took
up the cause of Tacoma. He began
by stating that Booth had not given
the problem consideration, and he ap.
pealed for action that would rebound
TO the best interests OF the State
Cries OF louder" resulted in a briel
colloquy between the Speaker and
Booth.
"The minimum value. of our State
lands is $40 an acre." said the Speak
er. "Things are different from whal
they were ten years ago. Some of oul
lands are in the arid region and are
certain to grow in value. In discuss
ing this matter have not one unkint
thing to say to Olympia. her people, OF
| Vi tuIS 6t1 OVVuAO, Ouk 0uy WV SoA oVS
that this is not our ideal.
"Tacoma has authorized us to SAY
that if the question is submitted sh'
stands ready to house the State officers
and the Supreme Court and to build I
temporary capitol without cost to th'
State. They will put 10 escrow q deet
OF a piece of property worth more thar
this building. Even if it takes eigh
or ten years to build the new capitol
i our State lands will be increasing il
value all the time and the State Car
build without impoverishing ITSELF"
Falconer interrupted by asking wba
Tacoma is willing to give.
"A respite of expense" retorte'
Judge Crandall. Wright park. whicl
we offer, contains thirty acres and no
one lot in it is worth less than $1,000
1t is surrounded by the finest house
in the city and is worth from $6OO,OO
to 500, ,OOO."
"Have you the title7" asked Fal
coner. =.
ave have the Decd" replied tn
member from Pierce, "made out t.
the State and we also offer either
floor of the court house or the cit.
hall. Besides this we will erect
temporary structure costing not les
than $4,000"
Would Tacoma sell the park TO
5000, 600 or 100000 and deposit tn
money so that the State could use
for new capitol" inquired Bishop, o
Jefferson.
"No, you'd want to put it of on tn
clam. flats" retorted Crandall and IN
House laughed at the expense OF tn
Jefferson county member.
Todd, OF King, made an earnes
speech in opposition to the bill, ant
was accorded an ovation at the clos
of his address. He said one reaso'
given for voting for this measure tina
it is for political" effect, but whe'