The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-08-01
VANCOUVER INDEPENDENT.
THURSDAY, AUGUST l, 1878.
The Two Candidates for Prosecuting Attor-
ney, I'D District, w. 4.

this district that N. II. Bloomfield,
Prosecuting Attorney. shall again be
a candidate for that Office at the com.
ing election. 1t is also we'll known
that Fl. G. Strive, of Olympia, is as
piring to the nomination, and backed
by some of "the ring" of Olympia,
trying to pack primaries and county
conventions. Certain facts have also
recently come to the surface, which
render it necessary for us, as an in
dependent journalist, to warn the
people of this district of the futilty
of the candidacy Of Mr.. Strive, as
these matters of record show that he
is clearly ineligible to the position
which he seeks. We disclaim any
intention of paining or doing any
man an unnecessary injury by this
article, but the truth should not be
concealed-no one should complain
when the truth is told-simple JUS
tice to Mr.. Bloomfield demands it.
Had Mr.. Strive seen fit to remain in
private life rs an attorney, and so
long rs he did not assume the ag-
gressive, not word doubtless would
have been said of him or of his rec
ord; but when he asplres to an office
Of trust at the hands Of the people
one OF the most important and re-
sponsible in the Territory, and rs an
opponent of man whose record and
fidelity stand unimpeached and shows
by his record that he has been Il faith.
tul servant OF the peOple--he must
erpect criticism, and should know
that the people have the right to,
and should be made acquainted with
the records of men who come before
them for their support. An oppo-
nent under such circumstances must
como with clean hands, OF the peo-
pie cannot countenance his aspira.
tions.
But to the point--Mr. Strive has
held office in this Territory and ex-
ercised the rights of citizen for
many years, and until two years ago
was Secretary of this Territory. His
reappointment was refused by the
President, owing to the disclosures
hereinafter stated. As reported by
q. S. Attorney Wingard, to whom
the matter was referred for investi.
cation by the Department at Wash
ington, and as appears by letter of
the Secretary of War, dated MAY 6,
1874, the facts admitted by Mr..
Struve) are:
That Henry G. Strive enlisted at
New York in October, 1858, in the
regular army. to serve five years in
the lst Dragons, Company a, and
deserted in May, 1854, at Benicia,
Gal. he came to this Territory, and
for a number OF years has held office
aud voted here, well knowing that
the following provisions of law pro-
hibited his acting as such or taking
the oaths of office:
"Al persons who deserted the military or
naval service Of the United State, and did not
return thereto or report themselves to A Dro-
vost marshal within sixty DAYS after the issu-
ance Of the proclamation Of the President
dated the llth day Of March, lS65 are deemed
10 have voluntarily rclinQuished and forfeited
al rights Of citizenship, a. well a, their right
TO become citizens; and such desertcr> shall
be forever incapable Of holding any Office Of
trust or profit under the United States. or Of
exercising any rights Of citizens thereof
And being a deserter-until par
don-Jeloaged to and owed service to
the United States for his uuexpired
term, and yet held the office of Sec
rotary OF the Territory and other Of
fees, when the organic act of the
Territory provides land he knows it,
provisions) that "no person belong
ing to the army or navy shall ever
be elected to or hold any civil office
or appointment in said Territory"
The disclosure and exposure OF
these facts-and others which we
will not now enumerate caused Mr..
Strive 10 "step down and out"
"SOme Of the ring" are cognizant of
all these things. and well know that
they are assisting that which they
know to be unfair and unjust to a
faithful public officer. and also unjust
TO the party in thus attempting to,
or countenancing the foisting of a
man into the nomination for an Of
fee. when they must and do know
that the people OF the district ca,,not
and ,oiH not support Il. 1t does not
speak well for them, nor does it show
that spirit of interest in the rights
a.,I L. -. ~ H. r.nn..l. d. 80.