Is Washington's New Legislature Up to the Task?

The proceedings of the legislature thus far indicate that the Republican party will have a heavy load to carry before the legislature adjourns. The disregard of business rules has already led to severe criticism. The organization of committees is, in a majority of instances, wretched. Well-known and experienced men in whom the people have confidence appear prominently on relatively unimportant committees, and unknown and untried men have been given places on the most important committees. That 'Dick' Owings should have been given the chairmanship of the committee on corporations is enough to make every loyal and honest Republican wonder what next to expect. Of course, there is a way of escaping the results most people will naturally expect from anything in which he participates. Let the Senate refer to another committee bills which ordinarily go to the corporation committee. It should not be forgotten that the Republican party, so far as the state of Washington is concerned, is on trial. The Republicans have control of affairs by an overwhelming majority, and there can be no escape from the responsibility for all results. The people in this state will not endorse a continuance of the present loose way of doing things, and if no change occurs, the party will be held responsible. There is no excuse for remaining blind to this fact.