Year: 1878

Many have asked how the Constitu-
tion is received by the people of the
Sound. To this we have been unable
to give clear and decisive answer only
from general principles, such as that the
Sound people took a deep interest in the
State movement, in calling for conven-
ton, in electing delegates to serve in the
convention, in sending some of their
best men as such delegates both Demo.
Gratis and Republicans, and in the
further fact that we had not seen but
one journal published on the Sound
since the Constitution has come before
the people, that opposed that instru.
ment and that was the n. p. Times,
recently started in the interest of the
monopoly power OF the Sound, and its
chief ground of objection urged against
it, was its provision to not exempt cor
poratlons from taxation and compelling
them to pay debts due to laborers, and
compelling church property to pay its
proportion OF expenses for the protec-
ton it seeks from the government that
protects it. From these data we have
inferred and declared that we believed
the Sound people would generally, with,
out distinction of party, vote for the
adoption of the Constitution BY last
saturdays mail we receieed the Pacifc
Tribune, an Independent paper publish
ed at Seattle, of date October 10Th.
This paper is an old and influential pa
per on the Sound, now on its eighteenth
year Of publication, and ought to be
posted as to the status of this Constitu-
tioual question. This paper has the
following very gratifying confirmation
ct our belief in relation to the purpose
of the people to adopt the Constitution;


a State institution has been draft
ed, and will beyond question be unani.
nous y adopted by the people at the
forthcomingele ction. They have, more.
over, pronounced themselves already
emphatcaily in favor of this movement


and the candidate who would receive
from their hands the gift of SO import
ant an office, as Delegate, must come out
) squarely and uuequivocally in favor OF
its adoption. 4 strong effort has been


made to make this purely party issue;
butit is not and cannot become such


The Democrats are as firmly united on
the question Of State government as
tho Republicans. In every district they
voted for their respective candidates to
the Constitutional convention, aud elec-
ted seven out of the fifteen delegates
sent to Walla Wala. These delegates
took as active a part in every way in
framing the Constitution as the Repub-
l'cans. The question Of party issues
Was never raised there; and Why should
an attempt be made to raise it now.
Oar sole object is to have Constitution
adapted to the conditions of our people
irrespective Of party considerations; one
that will be accepted by Congress; and


moreover, a Delegate elected who will
earnestly urge its acceptance upon that
t body. So far as we have observed the
only paper on the Sound that has taken
course hostile to the State movement
is the Times, Republican journal


Aside from this organ the press of the


Sound are all united on this all import
ant question, irrespective Of party affilia


tions.


r So much for the prospect on the
Sound. The delegates from the rive,


counties in the Constitutional conyen
e ton assured US that the people there
wanted the State government, and whil


it may be possible that some of the Ore
r gon mooopoies who are operating alon:
the river may be able to draw off som
d votes, yet we think majority vot
? there will ratify the Constitution. SucI
2 was the opinion of their delegates at tn
y time the Constitution was framed, an


such has been the opinion they hav
Y recently expressed to US by letter. NOV
is we come to that portion cast OF tn
n mountains. The only paper east of tn
=. mountains that opposes is the Wall
Walla Statesman, another monopoly OIL


gan. Its opposition has never assume
y any other shape than personal splice
Sc against members of the convention VIII
ar framed the Instrument, and bitter Ell
tie nifty exhibited towards the people {
~ the Sound. How far the voting popl
er lation cast Of the mountains can /