Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-12-28
It a5''(a9toa Standard
GI.N uriA. WASH.
fHiIlil NlGN.NG. DECEMBER q 1906.
Happy New Year.

expectations. His welcome Is scarcel,
les cordial than that OF his antiuu,
sponsor. While Christmas attupcs tn,
heart to peace and goodwill, New yea
suggests and fixes good resolutions
and paves the way for a better life.
lie past has gone forever. IL is ,
closed chapter in the book ut life. W,
may pru-c It's pages bat We cannot
change line. 1t must stand forever
whether the record be good or bad
The present Is our own, the future be
fore us; the one filled with vague DOS
slbilics and the other unknown ground
ltisthe part OF wisdom to pause anC
reflect; to take n strict account O
stock and plan for the future.
The past year has been, all things
considered, pretty fair season
throughout the county. Peace anc
plenty have generally prevailed, while
The spirit Of reform has taken such q
strong hold of the people that we car
now confidently expect some good to
flow from the political change eoon tc
be made. The general outlook, there
fore, seems TO indicate q season oil
thrift and prosperity. How much
each can contribute towards advancing
this result should be made the subjec,
OF deep thought. None are 90 humble
that they cannot do their share TO-
warts promoting the public veal. none
- Insignificant they cannot do some.
thing towards advancing the sum Of
human happiness. The world is made
up OF atoms. Little acts, inconsider.
able trifies, leave sometimes deem
impress on human character. AS we
pass this milestone in the journey OF
life, recollections of the past crowd
upon the memory. Our progress has
been attended with the usual pleasure,
and disappointments. We have each
gathered our share OF the flowers and
thorns strewn by the pathway. We
have each had our share of joy and
trouble. We may be better than we
were at the beginning OF the year, O,
we may be worse. We may have pro.
crossed upwards or downward. In
either event, the season is fraught
with solemn admonitions, which it is
the part of wisdom to heed and obey,
Nature is eloquent with lessons
which should inspire wisdom. We see
the many beautiful suggestive changes
continually occurring, but scarcely
noted. The seasons pass in rapid sue.
cessiop, but we seldom pause amid
busy cares, to ponder their teachings.
We liken Spring time to childhood,
and Winter to age, but find no time
to trace the smile farther, or to draw
from 1t the wholesome instruction and
constant admonition which the All.
wise Creator intended it should convey.
But at the close of the year, when we
lntuitively pause ere crossing the
bounds of another division of our
earthly pilgrimage, these thoughts re-
cur to the reflective mind with start.
ling solemnity. Thousands who began
the year buoyant with hope, with the
flush OF health upon their cheeks, have
fallen by the way, and their accus.
toned places will know them no more
forever. Few of us indeed but have
been called upon to part with some
friend whose promise of length of days
was probably equalled by our own.
We know not when any of Us shall
receive the summons from the dark.
winged messenger to join the throngs
OF that silent city beyond the ever
mysterious river.
In fancy We see the myriads of civ.
ilized people drawn together in com.
of soul ct this holy season.
How it humbles pride and exalts virtue
to meet At q common shrine! How
empty appear earthly honors and vain
the objects of earthly ambition, when
the lesson teaches that they must all
be laid aside whenever the summons
to go hence may conner We SEQ thou
sands following delusive phantoms,
for the attainment of objects
which they fondly believe will bring
happiness; but alasl how seldom is
The goal reached, and how often when
attained, the charm OF the eagerly
sought treasure vanishes!
Thus it ever has been and ever will
be with earthly pursuits. With what
relief then can we turn to that hope
Of Immortality which time cannot dim
nor the grave disarml With what
majesty and grandeur does il subordi.
nate all sordid. worldly considerations
Planted within all hearts, irrespective
of creed, it wells up as an OVERLOOKING
fountain OF joys to calm and peace at
last. Its constant admonition 10 char.
ity for our fellow man. The span of
life is too short, and the object of con.
tention too Insignificant for pickering
or strife.
Let US begin the new year by casting
aside all feelings of bitterness, and each
meet his fellow man with fraternal
regard. II this were done-if the in.
junction to Love one another" were
literally obeyed-but little would be
needed to make of earth . paradise
In this spirit, and with feelings Of
friendship for all, we wish each reader,
"A Happy New Year."
A BARE INTIMATIoN THAT STATE.
MENTs ARE IN ORDER.-A former State
official, who was recently in this CITY.
remarked under the present law State
officials are required to report the
amounts of the receipts of their re.
spective offices to the State Treasurer
once month. 1t seems sometimes
these receipts are large, amounting
from one office to over ninety thousand
dollars per month; but the strangest
part in regard to these transactions is
the reports only show the aggregate
amounts received, without rendering a
bill OF items. The Treasurer has no
authority nor the time to examine
into the correctness of these reports.
What business man would conduct his
affairs in such loose manner? Ifhe
should, bankruptcy or the asylum
would not be far off. But il must be
borne in mind the taxpayers are rich
and patient, and make good such losses
as may occasionally result from official
fraud and negligence.
The Japanese Consul at Honolulu
that tho ~,.a,