Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1915-03-26
COUNTY OFFICIAL PAPER.
CITY OFFICIAL PAPER.
SOMETHING ROTTEN IN WASHINGTON.

rotteG IN Washington when good Staunch he
publican newspaper like the Yakima Republic,
whose editor, Colonel w. w. Robertson, has been
quite frequently spoken of Republican
didate for governor next year, makes such
ments as these on an overwhelmingly Republican
Legislature:
''It is to be regretted greatly that there were so
many Republicans elected to this legislature. If
there had been fewer by 10 or dozen the legsla
ture would have made better record If the
Republican majority had not been so large that it
could pass bills the governors veto
should have had session characterized by more
earnest attempts to serve the interests. of the
people, and less time would have been wasted in
political horseplay.
Also, the Republican party would have been
IN better shape to 60 before the people in 1916 on
an issue that will steadily acquire Importance in
the peoples minds-the issue whether we shall
have system of government in this state which
will make it possible to conduct public affairs
If they are matters of practical business instead
of matters Of politics and partisan exploitation.
Seeing the situation this way, the Colonels con-
clusion is: "The Republican majority in this leg
islature might have started movement for CON-
mission government in the state and counties ii
it had desired to render service to the people half
much as it sought to strengthen party organi-
Ration Extension Of the commission system to
state and counties is one Of the necessities OF the
immediate future. Thinking men everywhere
realize that. The people everywhere demand it,
and the obstacle in the way is everywhere, as
here, the politician entrenched behind standpatism
and bourbonism.
This Republican legislature ignored the mani
Fest tendency of the times disregarded its oppor-
tnrity, and set its back to the future standpat
teTS and b0urbons have done from time immemo
rial 1t not only did that giving little thought to
The needs Of the pubic business and service, but it
did all it could to reduce the measure of popular
control Of public affairs, leaving the Democratic
governor the privilege and duty Of appearing as
the defender Of the right Of the people to run their
own affairs
1.-THE governor, as matter Of course, vetoed
the bills designed to limit the Of the recall and
the initiative and to provide for party caucuses
and conventions and the pledging of candidates
by party organization. While doing little for
itself the people the party in its session, the
Legislature has done all that it could, we should
say for the Democratic governor"
Then along this same line the Pasco Progress
comments:
'.Nearly three years ago The Progress first ad
vocated the adjustment of our present bi-cameral
Legislative system and the substitution of CON-
mission form of government. Since then two leg
islative sessions have been held and these sessions
are the two strongest possible arguments in favor
of our contention"
tWhy legislature?" asks the Prosser INDIE
pendent Record, and then goes on to say, after
attacking the Whitney bill re-establishing the
marty convention system:
As long men vainglorious and seek to
delegate unto themselves power which they have
NOT that long will there be the need of constant
and eternal vigilance against tyranny. There
such demand for constitutional convention
to pave the way for commission form of govern
ment. This denied. Instead of doing what
the people wanted, the legislature devoted its
energies toward making it as hard as possible for
Governor Lister. And now all the standpat
papers agreeing that their out-Heroding of
HerOd has resulted in the reelection of Governor
Lister. If he is worthy man to require the
total force of the legislature to be hurled against
hmm for political purposes, then that is indorse-
Inent enough for the people to go ahead and
elect him. that he may lend his energies toward
the securing of the things which the people want
And Frank Reeves, the Democratic floor leader
In the house during the last session, now as the