The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-09-10
popsrxG HIS PLAIN DUTY.

Gov. Rogers, who has just concluded
hurried visit to the state agricultural
college At Pullman. is already out in an In
terylew in which he endeayors to cast dis
credit upon President Bryan In particular,
ard the board of regents in that institution
In general. because. forsooth, they placed
themselves in the position OF defending eaAe
institution from attacks made against
their administration. The case In point
Is one wnere exsravagance was charged
against the board OF regents. which IL was
said resulted in creating deficiency In
hast years appropriation. OF something
like ST. 900. and which charge the governor
determined to investigate. After two sit
tlngs the governor concludes his investi-
CATION. rises and reports back to the state.
through the newspapers. that he has prov
en- his case. that there has been extrava-
gance. that a deficiency. amounting 10
about 5000. was created during the pre-
vlous year, which was paid out OF the
funds appropriated for the conduct of the
institution during the year 1879, but that
he looks forward TO a harmonious settle
ment Of the difficulties which At present
confront the management of the instisu-
tion." The governor says further that at
the present rate of expenditure a serious
dehcit In the future could not. from the
present outlook. be possibly avoided Gov.
Rogers then incidentally refers to the fact
that he had previously called the attention
Of the board OF regents TO necessary re-
duesaons which should be made. and says
that President Bryan now admits the JUS
tice of the demand. In conclusion the
governor says: The board OF regents
Will shortly be called together and reduc-
lions MADE. differences adjusted. and the
Institution placed upon a firm and sndur-
ing basis"
GOV. Rogers. according to MS own
se.tenens. has a solemn duty 10 perform.
Either the whole thing Is sn error and Is a
lot OF cheap elap-trsp. dished up by the
governor for his own delsctation-to give
himself a swell as chlmmie Fadden
would express it-or ore Of the most I'M
pogtans laws Of the state has been VIC
lated. when the Republicans were in
enacted by the legislature. upon sugges-
ton ~ the then governor. John III. Mo
Graw, making q = nisdemeanor for any
Official az the STATE government, or any
eoaru In control 81 any institution og the
state. 70 expeas IN any enc year any sum
/ az excess q the amount APPROPRIATED for
I that institution FOR thai year. and provid-
/ .ag a penalty OF imprisonment. as wei a.
I making such excess OF expenditure per
/ SonN claim srain>s ire state official or
I members OF she board responsible fer the
I 6-ag.
~. therefore. What Gov. Rogers says Il
+ trne, then "a harmonious settlement az
F tae difficulties" should rot De possible. The
I law. as GOV. Rogers found 81 on the stat
use books should e enforced. snd u 3,
IS true that the board o. regents % ne
( state agricultural cojlexe .as bsen guilty
e. violating one of oar most important
laws ~ spending s. GO noTa tasa the
+ legislature fola them . spend they Should
+ b held TO = strict Accountability. y
should not se lert VIA tae governor 10
wink a. sueh violations ~ the law and
make Harmonious settlements A pub
BE Investigation saogld he made "a ne
. courts ef the sovsra0Fs charges. ard 8, =
/ the e8gy CO tas attorney general 90 SEQ
tHAt tie law Is enforced.