Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1915-02-26
as this legislature is concerned.
What county is it?

JEFFERSON.
Once more Jefferson county has
out-maneuvered King county ana
there will be no legislative reappor-
tionment at the present session of the
legislature. Representative l.. D. Nc
Ardle of the former county claims he
has So house members pledged not to
consider any reapportionment bill
drawn on constitutional lines at the
present session. Therefore King
county will lose it's biennial fight
and will meet it's biennial Waterloo
at the hands of Jefferson county, and
the state constitution will be violated
by legislature for the third success
i've time.
Smallest the Mightiest.
Here is an example where the
smallest is the mightiest. King
county with ten times the legislative
representation and a hundred times
the population, is forced to go to
Jefferson county when it wants any
legislative work done. Spokane,
Pierce, Walla Walla, Whatcom and
Chehalis counties and others of the
larger counties 60 to Jefferson county
for aid and advice in all legislative
matters and to find out whether they
are to be permitted to have what they
want, for Jefferson's two representa-
tives have made Jefferson county the
strongest in the legislature and in
legislative work in the state. They
are the engineers of the "stean
roller"
Representative Ed Sims of the
Stop-Look-Listen League fame, who
thinks he wants to be the Republican
candidate for governor two years
hence, is the most powerful factor in
the present legislature. He is the
dominant figure, with his colleague,
McArdle, one of the paid workers OF
the Stop-Look-Listen League, as an
able lieutenant. Jefferson county with
Sims as it's representative is at the
top of the list with all other counties
eagerly seeking it's favor and lodging
its disapproval. Jefferson county,
through McArdle, chairman of the
house roads and bridges committee.
designates who shall feed at the pie
counter when the $2,000.000 road
melon is sliced. Jefferson county,
through Sims of the rules committee.
says whether or not certain bills shall
be passed. Jefferson county, through
Sims. points out where appropriations
shall 60. Where the hand of disap-
prevail OF Jefferson county points,
there bill dies.
Jefferson Holds Whip Hand.
What Jefferson county says goes.
That's what the representatives from
other parts of the state have learned
by experience, an experience which
has been costly to some and valuable
to all. Jefferson knows what II wants
and gets 1t. Mr.. Sims and Mr.. Nc
Ardle do not do business In half way
measures. They don't have to. What
they want the rest Of the state 10 very
anxious and willing to give. What
the rest OF the state wants Jefferson
county is willing they should have II
Jefferson county gets full value IN
exchange.
If Eastern Washington wants some
thing Jefferson county probes into
that want. II the result Of the probe
Is satisfactory to Jefferson county, tho
east side men are not disappointed.
providing. however. they fail not to
remember where the assistance came
from and where the real power In the
legislature lies. Few forget.
Only Four Legislators.
Jefferson county's success lies IN
the fact that the voters of that county
send to OLYMPIA leader OF men.
While the other county delegations
are lying in wait for something to
happen along and then pounce on It.
the Jefferson county delegation ID
leading that something UP with rope
around ITS neck. Jefferson goes out
and seeks what it wants. while the
others lay back and wait for what
they want to come along. Jefferson
county is like the promoter who starts
something and grabs off what ne
wants as 1t passes by.
The present legislature Is composed
of 81 men from all parts and sections
of the state, the voters and tax
PAYERS are led to believe, but the real
legislature of the state is composed
OF four men, Sims, McArdle, Davis or
Pierce and Conner Of Skagit. Sims
holds the reins with a we'll working.
carefully organized staff OF assist
ants on which McArdle, Davis anu
Conner are the aides de camp. Boiled
dovp further the legislature is Ed