The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-02-23

When 1t is one hundred and and nneenths
inches long?
Or when it is eighty nine and nine enth inches long
The sovereign state of Washington has struggled with
this momentous question
After primary campaigns the selection of delegates to
county conventions the writing of party platforms and
hard-fought campaign the fall election held. A egs-
Iature elected.
The members, mileage being provided by the state,
went to Olympia and there, hand bible. other hand
raised high each to Support tie consttu
ton of the United States of the of Washington and
faithfully to perform the duties of members, help
Cod
Having organized and selected ianitors and other brio
abrac for the adornmen of the pay roll, the Legislature
proceeded to business.
The matter of the regulation by law of the length of
bedshees was duly taken up. The house wresed with
the problem, and finally passed bill requiring all sheets
In all hotels and each sheet in each hotel inn, hosiery,
other place of public reIesment to be not less than
certain length towit nine feet in lawful measure OF the
United States
This legislation passed. in due course, the senate.
That reverend and conservative body would fan go slow
and exercise its bcamera function Of acting check
upon the tempered and mpuIsive ncinatons of the
popular branch SO, after reference to committee
and due debate the senate has amended the house bill
that beseets aforesaid then and there for hotel beds
made and provided may not be less than ninety inches in
length.
What to do!
apart in the matter of bed clothing; the awmakng func
ton gagged and bound it We're, by Is inches Of
linen Tor cotton). Truly, while politics makes strange
bedfellows, IN this case it shreds the bed linen.
Each house firm in its decision. Each oath
bound to insist on its own Judgment in the matter of
sheets.
Servants of sovereign people, representatives of an
unerred electorate, popu incarnate smOthered by
the tail end of bedsheet!
But let trust the legislature of Washington work
out safe and compromise, and turn attention
to the legislature of Wisconsin, which, instead of egs-
lang about Sheets rugged up sort of political alarm
clock
1t was in this wise:
Fearing lest seekers after office might money
rupt and debase, the Wisconsin legislature passed law
providing that within six months after election to
Office the ofceholder should file full statement of all
campaign expenses.
Not long Wisconsin rang through it's press it's pub
lie and in places its pulpit for the election to the United
States senate of that sterling of the wolverine, that
patriotic citizen, that sngl minded and modest states
man. Uncle Ike Stephenson.
The legislature heard the cry of the people and needed
1t, and the toga was gracefully draped upon Ike
shoulders.
And Ike has filed his expense account His cam
pagn for election to the United States senate for term
of six years cost him just $07 1885, than the
senatorial salary would be for fourteen years!
And what of that popular outburst for that sturdy son.
etc, etc? Was it merely the reverberatons of many
political monographs set in motion by the wad of the
modest and retiring Isaac?
Who say? But isn't it queer that the legislature
while the subject of expense accounts didn't have 'em
filed six hours before the election instead of six months
after?
SO it that in states the problem of the solons is
how to pull the wool people eyes, and in others how
to keep the cotton their feet.