The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-04-25
OREGON's sMART-ALECK GOV
ERNOR.

The Honorable Sylvester Pennoyer,
Democratic Governor of the Republican
state of Oregon, is curious survival of an
obsolete school of discarded political doc
trine. According to his theories. time and
its events since the founding of the gov
eminent have fixed nothing Ali the
lessons of American history, including the
bloody adjudications of the civil war, are
to him as if they were not. Concerning
the character Of the general government
and its relations to the governments of the
several states, as shaped and moulded by
the wisdom and logic of events and the
processes Of time, he is utterly unmindful
and regardless.
1t is, perhaps, natural that man thus
impervious to instruction should hold to
the exploded doctrine of states rights.
There are many such; but it is indeed Curl
Gus in this age to find man SO fixed in false
notions and SO inflated by state and official
vanity as to disregard the social obligations
due to the head of the general government
from the governor of state of which
he is the guest. Governor Pennoyer's
determination, which has been announced,
not to call upon the president but to
receive" him at the state house is indeed
curious instance-and as discreditable as
tits curious IfGovernor Pennoyer persists
in the course he now proposes. he will not
only disgrace his state but will in sense
discredit the whole Pacific coast. 1t will
serve Oregon right for electing such gov
ernor, but it will be most unjust in so far
as it may be accepted as an illustration Of
Pacific coast manners.
Mr.. Pennoyer is not the first governor of
state to assume che rele Of smart-aleck
upon an occasion similar to the visit of
President Harrison. Shortly after his in
auguration President Washington made a
tour of the Eastern and New England
states, ostensihky. for recreation but in
reality to familiarize the people with tho
idea of Federal authority. He was re-
ceived everywhere with cordiality until he
reached Massachusetts,. where Mr.. John
Hancock, he Of the immortal signature,
was for the time governor. Hancock, in
spite of his ready patriotism, was
shallow man with vast sense
Of his own importance. He was
governor of Massachusetts, and very
proud not only of that common
wealth but of her governor. Within her
bounds he was the representative of her
sovereignty, and he felt that Difference
was due him from the president of the
United States when both stood upon
Massachusetts, soil. He did not meet
Washington upon his arrival, and Wash
ington thereupon did not dine with the
governor, as he had agreed to do.
The governor waited and found that he
got nothing for his waiting, and alarmed
at the public condemnation if he should
actually allow the president to leave with
out calling upon him. a. last wrote note
to Washington apologizing for not calling
before and asking if he might call in half
an hour, even though it was at the hazard
of his health. Washington answered at
once. expressing his pleasure at the pros
pectof seeing his excellency, but begging
him, with a touch Of irony, not TO do
anything to endanger his health. In half
an hour Hancock appeared. Picturesque,
even if defeated. he was borne up stairs
on mems shoulders, swathed in fiannels,
and then and there made his call.
Thus ended an attempt 1.-THE only one)
made hundred years ago by governor
| of a state TO snub the president of the
| United States. The incident may serve as
| a warning TO Governor Pennoyer: and if he
has gone too far TO back out gracefully
| he may borrow an idea from Hancock s
| method of making his call.