Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1915-03-19
COUNTY OFFICIAL PAPER.
CITY OFFICIAL PAPER.
WAS THE LEGISLATURE CORRUPT?


Enough time has elapsed since the legislative
session closed for the reviewer to collate his
points with precision and for the people to for
mulate their impressions of the session. That
some of those impressions will during the next
ninety days take the form of referendum petit
tions against certain of the measures passed. be-
fore that privilege is nullifed by the Republican
party bills, is now assured some others of those
impressions will gain ground the days roll by
and the people look back upon this session and
what it did and the motives that apparently
prompted its leaders.
The fourteenth legislature twill go down in
history as one Of the most corrupt sessions in
twenty-five years Of statehood says the Tacoma
Tribune. ssThe fourteenth session became noto-
ri0us shortly after converting as having attracted
more and larger Hobbies than any previous ses-
MON since the days when United States senators
were elected by the legislature and the railroads
maintained highly paid legislative agents in
Olympia Hundreds Of lobbyists were present.
Sinister and ugly rumors were current, and these
xumors were never refuted, regarding the pres
snce Of open sacks, and demands made upon
advocates for certain legislation for grease be-
fore the legislative wheel would be allowed to
revolve fayorably.
Public service corporations left no stone nm
turned to block civic and industrial activities
where such endeavors would interfere with the
public utilities business affairs. It was fight
q the death to block off municipal competition
and to quash interference with utility monopoly
ID carrying passengers. The public
utility and railroad Hobbies were the best the
state has ever seen. Legislators were dined, en-
tsrtained and joy-rided to then hearts content
Uncertain membeE were allowed to win almost
fabulous sums across the card tables. It was a
joyous time. :.
That money and plenty Of it changed hands
during the Legislature was q rumor which was
current during the entire session. It was well
known fact that one house leader and three lob
byists had formed . combination. This combina-
ton was busy at all times It started working
before the session opened. It's work was done
spenly at all times.
That 81 $50 was demanded of certain men
representing one Of the largest industries in the
state, before bin wanted by them would be
allowed on the floor of the house, was common
knowledge That this bill was defeated just be-
cause this money was not Forthcoming on the last
day Of the session is one Of the open secrets of
the session
.sLog rolling and coercion marked the vote on
practically every vital issue which came before
the session These were not confined to either
house, but were found in both the house and in
the senate Open threats were repeatedly made
from the floor of the house that certain bills
would die in committee if votes were not deliv
ered as per schedule. The whip hand was always
in evidence. The mailed glove was found on
every hand where power lay. Taking everything
into consideration, and Judging from results, the
fourteenth session of the legislature left record
which is far from enviabe."
The newspaper man who wrote that has 'cov-
cred' half dozen sessions or more. He was
here all the time and he knew what was going on
He makes those statements in one of the most
reputable newspapers in the state and one of the
few independent newspapers, and they have gone
absolutely unchallenged 1t is the one newspaper
that has spoken strongly, perhaps the one
newspaper that dared to do so.
So we leave it to you-was the legislature cor
Tupti
Congressman Albert johnson favored this
week with consignment of flower seeds, the first