Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1911-06-02

l..-e "a tlc railroads. i,sal staff the
first wave of a>-ounlment was follow
cd iy J-Gny pues,g5 as TO what youug
E!0gnt $ action portcnded.
The Iiainsman. the principal daily
and the leading organ of the reform
ors, was the first to find an ulterior
motive IN Evan BlOunts appointment
and its acceptance. The editor took
Il half column In which to point out
In emphatic and vigorous phrase the
danger that threatened the common
wealth In this very evident coalition Of
the railroad and the machine.
The Lost River Miner, on the other
hand, was unwilling to believe that the
younger BlOunt vas acting altogether
In his fathers interest in taking the
place provided for him by the railway
Hints there were In this editors COM
ment Of n disagreement between IA
ther and son, of differences Of opinion
which might later On lead to n pitched
battle.
The Daily Capital, however-the rail-
road organ-covertly insinuated that
nothing for nothing was the accepted
rule In politics; that If the railroad
had made place for the son 1t was
only justifiable deduction that the
father was not as inimical to the rail
road interest rs the opposition press
was willing to have the public believe
Elsewhere In the state press COM
ment was divided as the molders Of
public opinion happened to read party
loss or gain in the appointment Of the
new legal department head. But on
the whole the senator's son was given
the benefit Of the doubt and Il chance
to prove up. Time would tell
OF the interview between the father
and son, in which Evan had an
noUnced his intention of accepting n
place under McVickar, nothing was
SAID In the newspapers, for the very
good reason that no reporter was pres
elt
If the young man had been prepared
for storm Of opposition he was dis
appointed. The interview took place
In the evening Of the day Mr.. Nc
Nickars private car was attached to
eastbound train No. 102, and the place
was the sitting room Of the senator's
private suit. Blount had meant to
give some Of the ethical reasons for
taking the step which would put such
a summary end to the attorney gen
eralship scheme But when the time
came and he had brusquely declared
his purpose of accepting the railroad
appointment he did not find it entirely
easy to say the other things.
$50 McVickar talked you over" was
the fathers gentle comment Its all
right, son. You're man grown. and
l reckon you know best what you
want to do. II 1t puts us on opposite
sides Of the political creek we won't
let that roll the water any more than
It has to, will WEI?
To such a mild hammered surrender
or apparent surrender the purely filial
emotions could do no less than to re-
spond heartily.
I'VE mustn't let It," was the quick
reply, but after that he added: II feel
that / ought to make some eXplana-
lions, though. I've been going about
with my eyes and ears open, and !
must confess that the political field
has been made to appear most unat-
tractive to me- From what l can
learn the political situation In this
state seems to be very frankly con-
trolled upon the principle Of bargain
and sale. I couldn't go into anything
like that and keep my self respect"
NO. Of course you couldn't, son, SO
you just took a place where you could
earn good clean money in your profess
sion. l don't blame YOU
Blount was vaguely perturbej. He
could not help feeling that his father
WIS keeping something back.
"YcU think there will be more or
less political work in my job with the
'ailroad:' he asked. determined to get
any.
oh, | don't know. McVickar has
hired you to do lawy~''S work. and
/ gCeHs that is whit he viii expect
Won II do. isn't it,
Mr. McVickar had not defined the
duties Of the new assistant counselshlp
very clearly. But there was strong
Inference running through all that was
said 10 The effect that the headship of
the legal department would carry with
Il some political responsibilities.
At the moment Blount had been
rather glad that such was tie case.
very thoroughly of the justice Of the
railroad company's contcntion-that
the laws Of the state, if rigidly admin
istercd. amounted to a practical confis-
cation Of the companys property.
While Mr.. McVickar was talking
Blount had rather hoped that his new
position would give him opportunities
To place the railroad point OF view
fairly before the people of the state.
and 10 do this he knew that he would
have to enter the campaign as a pollt-
!cdl worker. Surely his father must
know this, and he went boldly upon
the assumption that his father I'D
know Il.
Il am TO be chief Of the legal de-
rartment on this division. and as such
It will. of course. be necessary for me
30 defend my client in court and ont
uf court" he said finally. And mean
10 DO it."
"Of course you do; you've got 10 ne
houcet with yourself-and with Nc
Nickar. J don't mind telling you. son,
that / am sQuarely on the other side