Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1894-09-14
Washlnqton 5 taudara
The Result Of Desperation.
OINuPIa. Vt>H.
EElNN NFN!\i. >INI. ii. 1921.

The Fd,lti,n,a ipr wonder. i right
when il aitirms that, while a plank in
the Republican platform iAvor~ re-
trvnchmcnt OF rnblic expenses. that it
j. probably a mere device to catch
votes The inference Is that change
OF officers who are entrusted with exec
cutIon al the law, as we'll a. declar-
ton oil party policy, is necessary to en-
sure iulfillment OF the demand. OF the
hour. A party that has so often made
platforms that mean nothing alter
election, may we'll be viewed with dis
trust when its leaders in convention
are Of the same men who have held.
and are still holding. fat places at the
public crib, and whose nominees en-
brace some Of the same old barnacles
which have been So long clinging to
the bottom Of the ship OF state. To
make assurances at all worthy of con-
fidence, the work must not he en-
trusted to those who have studied I'M
der their great leader the lesson How
not to Do" anything which conflicts
with their inclinations or the spoils
system that holds the party intact.
Bound together by the L" cohesive pow
er of public plumber" its very life-b blood
is shed the moment their promises of
retrenchment are carried into effect.
Knowing this, it is quite evident that
platform professions are intended SOLE
ly as bridge to carry them over the
chasm which yawns to engulf them.
They are designed simply to deceive
the people into voting for reforms that
are never intended by the party Of
false pretenses.
Our State and county governments
were ingeniously framed, expressly to
afford rich pickings for party favorites.
1t was done at a time when it could
be readily carried into effect; during
those flush times when ready means
existed for meeting almost any de-
mand upon the public treasury. The
Constitutional Convention gave us
high salaries for all State officers, with
authority to increase, but not dimin-
ish them, by legislative enactment.
They gave us a complicated system of
county government, based upon cor
responding scale of high salaries, as a
substitute for the fee system which
provided that the pay should be in
proportion to the work performed and
placed its payment upon those having
special need for the service. The sys-
tenn works admirably for the purpose
for which it was devised. The Cover
nor receives an annual salary of 81
GOO OF a little more than $3.50 for
each working-day in the year. This
may be increased to $1,000 if the Leg
islature sees fit to do go. The Lieu
tenant Governor receives $1,000 for
doing absolutely nothing except pre-
side over the deliberations of the Sen.
ate 30 days for each year, daily COM
pensatiOn for each working day in the
year equal to the higher wages of
skilled labor, or which amounts to
more than $33 for each day of actual
service! This may be increased to
50 900, without violating the india.
rubber provision of the constitution.
The Secretary Of State draws annually
$500 of the peoples money for di.
recting the labors of number of gu.
pernumerary clerks in preparing what
purports to be An immigration PAM
phlet, which is 30 imperfect that no
body would think of sending it abroad
as a fair exhibit of our abundant
resources. The Treasurer receives 81
600 for performing about three days
labor each month, or . per diem the
year round that is about twice the pay
for daily toll. 1t may likewise be
doubled. The Auditor receives $4,000
with q provision for an increase Of
fifty per cent; the Attorney General
$1,000, which may be increased to 3d.
500; the Superintendent of Public In.
struction $500, with q prospect Of
receiving $4,000; Supreme Judges re.
ceive $4,000 and Superior Judges &c..
GOO, and the Constitution provides
that they may be increased without
limit. The only provisO in the Con
stitution for q reduction of this ex
pensive machinery is for the abolish
ment of the Offices of Lieutenant Gov.
ernor, Auditor and Commissioner o
Public Lands, aud no proposition has
ever been submitted by the Republi
can party for this relief. 1t should be
borne in mind that these magnificent
salaries do not carry with them any
obligation to perform the duties of the
respective officers. Clerks are provid
ed for all that, and 80 numerous are
these recipients of political reward
that at almost any time during bust
ness hours, one may be seen at each
of the numerous windows of the three
upper stories of McKenny's bricl
taking his siesta or smoking hi
pipel
Nor has the condition Of public at
fairs been much better in the count,
administration. The Auditor started
out with half dozen clerks to per
form duties now done by one; tn.
Clerk of the Court found it conven
lent to employ three to do work nov
done by q single deputy, and all othel
departments we're conducted with {
like number of supernumeraries, re
ceiving annual salaries that averaged
much more than the per diem of labor
The number of these clerks and theil
salaries have been reduced to reason
simply from firm and vigorous popu
lar demand, and the absolute necessity
of obeying it to afford remote win
ming chance for the sop. In the
palmy days OF official contentment