Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1913-02-28
(Uniontown Press.)

Appropriation! Larger appropria-
ton! Appropriation for this and APP
preparation for that. This is the cry
that resounds through the corridors
and in the halls at the state capitol in
Olympia. And by whom? Surely not
by the minority members of the legis-
lature-the Democrats. They, like
their standard bearer, Governor Lister,
promised to economize and not i'm
poverish the people with higher taxes
aid, true to their pledges, they have
SO far voted only for those bills and
appropriations that have the indorse-
ment of the people of the entire state.
The Republican members of the Thir-
tenth legislature must therefore be
responsible for this order of things.
And why? Is it to embarrass the chief
executive of the state who pledged an
Economical government to the people :?
Ii such is their motive it may be we'll
to inform them to call halt and to re-
trace their steps before they sound
their own death knell and that of the
Republican party in the state Of Wash
ington. Are they SO blind to their own
welfare not to know by this time that
they are dealing with man who has a
backbone" to stand up In opposition
to their arranged program and to carry
out the will of the people, and to fight
Tor their rights? If they do not know
the indomitable Governor Ernest Lister
1t may be we'll for them to study him,
but to act before so doing is very haz-
jarGous.
Tacoma First to Kick Over the Traces.
(Tacoma New Herald.)
Washington's Democratic governor,
from the time that his election became
an assured fact, in consequence of the
monumental political folly displayed by
the Bull Moose or Progressive" fac
ton of the Republican party in select
ing candidate who could not COM
mand the support of the public, has as
sumed an attitude of responsibility for
the legislative as well as the executive
conduct of the affairs of the state that
is justified neither by the circumstan-
ces surrounding his elevation to his
present position, nor by considerations
of public policy. In outlining his
course of action at the time of his in
auguration he openly served notice
upon the lawmakers that, unless his
demands were complied with in certain
respects, their work would be nullified
By the vetoing of bills, and since that
time occasion has been taken to empha-
size the position outlined upon a num-
Der Of occasions.
The arrogance of authority is seldom
justifiable in the conduct of an admin
istration 1t is always ill-timed when
an official announces in advance that,
unless all other officials subscribe to
the policies which he believes to be
proper, he will array himself in OPP
position to their acts. It is to be pre-
sumed that the legislature, whose men,
bership Is chosen by the people, is
equally competent to gauge, not only
the will of the people, but what is
for the best interests of the common
wealth, as is an individual selected in
the same manner. The executive veto
was not designed to the end that those
in whom it was vested should become
the autocratic arbiters of the max
ing and enforcing of laws and regula-
tons, and Governor Listers threat that
he intends to put it to such an employ
ment is likely to stir up antagonism
that will render beneficent legislation
impossible.
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