Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1912-08-16
CRITICIZE
REPUBLICANS BUT
PRAISE DEMOCRATS
Notable That Opposition Press,
Censuring Own Candidates,
Commend Bourbons.
MINORITY ALWAYS LOYAL.
Irrespective of Primary Choice,
All Jeffersonians Would Be
Best State Officers.
MINORITY ALWAYS LOYAL

The fact is worthy or more tnan
passing comment that while not one
of the Republican candidates for state
office has escaped severe criticism at
the hands of his party rivals and from
his party newspapers, not one Of the
Democratic party candidates has re-
ceived other than words of praise
even from the opposition press.
For example, the Tacoma newspa-
pers were a unit in favorable COM
ment upon the announcement of the
candidacy of Ernest Lister Of that
city for the Democratic nomination
for governor. These Republican news
papers each spoke most favorably of
their townsman of opposite political
faith in commenting upon his honesty.
ability and fitness for the position
than they had ever spoken of their
own party candidates. And these same
papers have printed the most severe
arraignment of some candidates of
their own party.
The Seattle Republican papers SIM
ilarly which have been sharply criti-
cizing Republican candidates have in
all mention of or reference to e. C.
Million, M. M. Goldman or Hugh Todd,
spoken most kindly.
Recognize Democrats Ability.
Similar instances might be cited
throughout the state. 1t is a fact
that the Republicans recognize that
the Democratic candidates who are
being considered are without excep-
tion men of high standing in their
community and men who possess Pc
culiar fitness to perform the duties of
the respective offices they seek.
The men who have been Democrats
during all the years Of Republican
rule of Washington were Democrats
because of their honest convictions.
Every one knows that there is GER
tain considerable element of place
hunters who have no party loyalty
and no convictions other than a de-
sire to be with those in power. Some
of this element was with Democracy
in the past. Happily it is long since
been weeded out. AS always happens
in political life where one party has
an extended period of success less
intelligent, less able element gets in
control. That condition has happened
to the Republican party.
Party Politics No Criterion.
It is becoming generally recognized
among the taxpayers and thinking
people of the state that partisanship
and petty politics should not deter
mine the election for a state Office.
Honesty, ability and fitness to per-
form the duties should be the qualifi-
cations that determine the choice of
the voters.
Can there be a better evidence of
the honesty of an individual than his
conduct year after year in staying
with minority party because he be-
lieved its principles right?
On the other hand while dishonesty
might be harsh expression to use,
what confidence is a man entitled to
who changes his party and his the
cries at frequent intervals whenever
such change in his opinion would cater
to some popular and usually short
lived fad? Should candidate be
elected to Office irrespective of his fit
ness or his ability of his qualifica-
tions simply because under party
name enough of his partisans in try
ing to throw away their second-choice
votes made him their nominee?
All VIII Make Good.
Irrespective of which of the nomi-
nees the Democrats have presented
are selected in the primaries, the vot-
ers of this state may rest assured
that they may cast their votes fol
them and elect them to Office with the
absolute assurance the officers will
make good. They possess the ability,
knowledge of the duties to be per-
formed and the proper qualifications.
This is admitted, at least has not been
denied. by any of the opposition press.
The Republican papers on the con-
trary and the Republican candidates
are reiterating the assertion that none
of the Republican candidates is so
fitted or qualified.
Assuming that the Republican pa
pers do not mean all of the harsh
things they say about their candidates,
yet some of the charges are quite cir
cumstantial and it would seem the
safe and sane thing for all good citi-
zens, irrespective of party beliefs on
national questions, to select for the
administration of this state the able
and well qualified Democratic candi-
dates.