The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1914-08-20
A Busiuess-like Administration OF
Public Affairs Wanted.

Thomas S. Griffiths, president OF
the Spokane Chamber of Commerce,
has sent an appeal to various conf
mercial clubs in the state asking
cooperation in a plan to lower
the rate of taxation. Mr.. Griffiths
is a member of one of the largest
wholesale grocery firms in the
state, and has been resident OF
Spokane for over thirty years. He
is not politician, in the common
use of the word, but like many
other business men he has come TO
the conclusion that it is high time
for taxpayers to get into the politi-
cal game to the end that public af-
fairs be conducted in a more Dusl-
ness-like manner. Unless this is
done, taxpayers of the state may
face virtual confiscation of all they
possess.
The politician for pelf. the pro-
fessional office-seeker, has played
fast and loose with our government
affairs, and it is high time to cry:
Hold on! Enough" Mr.. Griffiths,
in his letter to the Lynden Com
mercial Committee says:
81 desire to call the attention OF
your organization to the alarming
increase of appropriations at each
recurring session of the legislature,
which has resulted in a condition
where we are now paying ten times
more taxes per capita than we ala
in 1890, notwithstanding the fact
that the assessed valuation of the
state has not tripled in the same
tod IN
up to the people of this state to
call a halt in this reckless approprl-
ating of public moneys
We believe that the people are
sufficiently aroused to the situation
so that no aspirant for office this
fall will receive the support of the
taxpayers unless he is first capable;
second, honest; and third. until he
declares that if elected he will e.
Intimate all unnecessary frills and
conduct the peoples business IN
a businesslike manner and with the
same care and economy that ne
would conduct his own. Much ex-
pense, in the way of incompetent
and useless employees. could we'll be
eliminated from our county and
state government. Special prlvl-
lege, party schemes and party jug
Cling, have also proved costly lux
uries to the people of Washington.
What is needed is business meth
DDS, not political chickering's and
pork barrel ways of effecting legis-
lation. No incompetent or unscru-
pulous person should be selected TO
fill any office, no matter to what
political party he belongs. The
particular party label he bears is
not so important as is his ability
and honesty.
The most important offices to be
filled this fall are those of MEM
bers of the legislature. Every candi-
date for the legislature should with
out delay be made frankly to
state his views regarding necessary
legislation, so that the people may
know what the would-be legislator
stands for, and what will be his at
titude on public questions when
he goes to Olympia. A legislator
should have brains, character and
business sagacity and should be
chosen for his fitness to serve The
people whose representative he is
to be. A candidates views upon ma
tional questions are of little i'm
portance. National politics Will
cut no figure in this falls election
The people of this state want, and
have a right to demand, business