Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1917-03-16
LET'S TELL THE TRUTH.

To counterfeit the impression assduousy cir
culated by certain influences in this city. that
Governor Lister proposes to remove his family to
Tacoma after closing the executive mansion April
l, common justice not only to him but chiefly to
the city of Olympia demands the statement that
from the first announcement last fall of his nen-
ton to close the mansion, the governor has stead
tasty said that if suitable house could be found
in Olympia, he and his family would continue to
live here.
The governor has desire or inclination to
move his family away from Olympia, though the
recent local attacks him may lead him to
change his mind. He is firm in his determination
to close the mansion because of the peanut poll
ties Of the last campaign, in which these same
influences took part, but in every statement the
subject he has taken. particular pains to say that
he and his family wanted to stay in Olympia and
would remain here, if satisfactory private home
could be obtained. A regard for Oympia's well
fare well for the truth would warrant pub
licity on this point equal at least it would seem,
to that given the other.
Stories published here and sent to outside news
papers for publication, that the governor is going
to move his family to Tacoma do not hurt the
Listers - they hurt Olympia, for they give the
something radically wrong with Olympia's hospi-
tally and stimulate the further thought that if
such is the situation it's about time to move the
capital somewhere else where state officials would
be more warmly welcomed and more cordially
treated.
We all know that that is wrong impression of
course-therein lies the injustice such stories do
Olympia. The people of Olympia want and expect
<ho and 20 10 MIN oro md
they do not approve the kind of attacks made
upon him during the past week and during the
last campaign by this little coterie. Regardless of
what their party politics may be, the residents of
Olympia have always felt and now feel warm
friendship for the Listers and, while regretting
that they decided to close the mansion, they ex-
pected and hoped they would find suitable
private home and would continue to live here
during the next four years.
The stories to which we refer are but another
example of the studied misrepresentation of the
governors attitude toward Olympia as the capital
city that have been made so frequently during the
past four years Appearing with flourish of
publicity as they have, they give the impression
that such is the sentiment of the city residents
generally, when directly the contrary is true.
They tend to create in the mind of the states
pia do not want him or his family here and this
impression is spread abroad until Olympia stand
ing as the capital city is jeopardized Put out
attacks on the governor, they act as boomerangs
and in their reacting, greatly njure the city. 1t
is time they were stopped
As for the present situation, we and all the rest
Of the people Of Olympia expect and want Cover
Lister and his family to continue to live among
csn o1xy hcr
that he will. However, let us add just as frankly
that because Of the fragrant and continued mis-
representation Of his attitude in this instance,
will not be surprised to hear that the governor has
given up his intention to find private home here
and will remove his family to Tacoma. If that
comes about there will be just one element in this
city to blame, and there won't be any difficulty in
fixing the responsibility.
AuEAn m yYoo