Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1915-02-26
CENTER ATTACK ON
ALL REFORM LAWS
REPUBLICAN LEADERS FIGHT.
ING FOR RETURN OF OLD
SYSTEM.

1.-TWO years ago I was speaker
in the house and I ruled that
house with a rod of iron. At
that time you were continually
telling us that the people of the
state would not stand for our
actions. At that time there was
bare Republican majority in
the house. This year there are
n Republicans in the house.
There is the answer. It's votes
not talk that counts"
These words, spoken during re-
cent debate in the senate by Senator
Taylor, speaker of the house two
years ago, represents the general atti-
tude of the Republican organization
in this legislature, an attitude that is
sticking out on all sides, because the
majority is making no effort to con-
ceal the fact that it intends to do
lust what it pleases, irrespective of
opposition, and what it pleases"
happens to be to force a return to the
legislative system of the years gone
by, through abolition of the direct
initiative and curtailment of the ref
erendum, and to destroy the direct
primary by substituting hodge
podge of the old convention system
and the primary.
Coupled with these attacks on the
initiative, referendum and direct pri-
mary are proposed inroads on the ad-
vanced labor legislation Of recent
years, the enactment of measures
backed by the lobbyists of the public
utility corporations Of the state. and,
II they think they dare---and they are
getting bolder every day--to circum-
vent the will of the voters of the
state, expressed at the election last
fall, when Initiative Measure No. 3
was adopted by a majority Of nearly
10000. To accomplish this the
"pork-barrel" road bill, the "big
stick" of them all. and the appropria-
ton measures are being held back.
to whip into line any member who
might be inclined to let principle in
fuence his vote on any OF those
questions.
Attack Labor Laws.
Numerous bills have been intro
duced by Republican members, and
the vast majority of these bills will
be passed, aimed at the organized
labor of the state. The labor first
aid bill was not given serious consid-
GRAFTON; repeal Of the eight-hour
law is before the house; Republican
party program measures wiping out
the direct initiative are in; amend
ments to the initiative and referen-
dunn laws making these practically
void in so far as general use is con-
cerned have been introduced; an
amendment to the full crew bill has
been submitted making this law prac-
tically impossible to the trainmen;
the proposed free employment bill
will not get far; an anti-picketing bill
has been submitted; abolition OF the
Office of the state labor commissioner
and a general apathy to give any
measure labor leaders appear to be
favorable towards serious considera-
ton, are helping to show the labor
lobby here the antagonism OF the
majority party.
Governor Prompts Test.
All of these things are aiding In
Frightening the prospects for the
Democratic party in 1915. Governor
Lister will undoubtedly exercise his
veto power on several of the more
drastic anti-labor bills, especially
those which will carry an emergency
clause to forestall the referendum.
In addition to this, at thedirection
Of the governor, Attorney P. M. Troy,
acting for Tax Commissioners c. X.
Jackson and J. w. Brislawn and Fire
Warden E. w. Ferris, members OF the
old state land board abolished by the
McArdle bill which carried an emer-
gency clause, brought suit to test the
validity of that clause, and the su-
preme court Tuesday issued show
cause order citing Secretary OF State
Howell and State Treasurer Ed
Meath, members Of the new board, to
appear Friday and show why they
should not be prevented from serving
on the new board. In this way, Gov
ernor Lister proposes to have the
state supreme court determine
whether the legislature has right to