The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-07
LETTER FROM MIR. WATSON.
He Explains His Methods In Sur
veyOr Generals once.
Olympia. Dec. 4, B9'

Olympia, Dec. 4, 1SSs
To the Editor: Although il Is very sell
dom profitable for one holding a public
office to answer unfounded charges APP
pearing in the public press, yet there are
certain insinuations in the letter OF De-
cember 4, 1897. from your Washington
correspondent, published In today's Is
sue of your paper, to which. for the sake
of my character and in justice to my sup
porters and indorsers, who, am proud to
say, are some Of the best and most honor
ed men OF this state. deem 1t proper to
make the following explanation:
In this letter from your correspondent
It Is inslnuated that In the appointment
Of my wife, Mrs. Watson, I have done
something contrary to the custom OF this
Office and something that Is irregular and
improper. To this will state that II has
been practically the unbroken custom in
most all public Offices. held under the four
years tenure office act, for the incumbent
to appoint his relatives to subordinate po-
sitions under him. In this office, for IN
stance, Gen. McMicken had his son Her
bert at salary OF s. 600 per annuul, and
I think other relatives; Maj Breckin-
ridge his wife at 81, 800 per annun. and his
son at $500 per annum: Mr.. Cavanaugh
several of his relatives; Mr.. Cowles, the
chief clerk. who virtually managed the of
fee under Mr.. Shaw. had his daughter at
IS per diem. or $9a5 per annum.
do not allude to or mention these gen.
tlemen with any desire to reflect upon
them. but simply to show the unbroken
custom Of this once. II these were not to
blame, how much less am I. when I state
that my wife. Mrs. Watson, was regular
ly appointed under the civil service rules.
namely. In November. 1896. after the pro-
mitigation Of the order Of May. 1886. plac-
ing all OF these offices under the civil
service. Her appointment was approved
by the commissioner OF the general land
ONCE In letter A, OF November q, 1896.
Her salary was $780, the very lowest class
In this office, the salaries ranging from
5000 to $3.50 per annum Task or piece
work was sanctioned per letter. ....... 1896.
Or course. all this publicity is very DIS
tasteful to me. nor would notice be taken
OF II, except on account of those honor
ing me with their appreciation and regard
during my residence OF the last nine or
ten years In this state, during which
have held positions OF high trust and re-
sponsibility. In the discharge OF which
no reflection has ever been made upon my
character. I am perfectly aware that all
the acts OF my official career will be
scruthized and attempts made to distort
them into grave derelictions I appeal to
all honorable men IL this Is not low ana
base view to take of politics or OF political
offices, namely. to resort to the blackening
OK man character IN Cfoer 10 get MS
position. There is an open and manly way
OF proceeding. namely. to frankly state
to the incumbent that his position Is want.
ed for certain political ends.
This cannot or should not arouse any
personal anirnosities. while any other view
of politics or political offices begets an
ignoble and contemplate crimnat ton or
recriniination OF personal character and
motives.
OF the other charges made In safd ,st
ter appeal 10 any fair-nlinded man II they
are not rather to my credit than a charge
against me.
WILLIAM p WATSON