The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-14

SEATTLE. THURSDAY, JAN. IA.
THE PASSING ADMINISTRATIONS.

TIE administration or Gov. McGraw has
neen such as 20 entltls him 20 hearty
eanuaenda1ion. II has bean digni1ec
wfsnour ceremoniousness. and singular
~ free from scandal. and It may
De szh OF Gov. McGraw personally,
a. fl was once said o. another. that he has
heen through the Aery furnace OF four
years of critical observation and energies
without even the smell Of smoke upon his
garments
He entered upon his term after sharp
and hitter ca apzign-a campaign or per-
sorzi rancor. sasa as was almost entirely
absent during that OF last fall The feresst
nght upon aim was made By political foes
IN bis own party. He had gathered about
bin a host OF loyal friends. who Needed
not TIA faults incidental 10 all humanity.
knowing the heart OF courage, the personal
integrity aud tie great promise OF the
man They admired the dauntiess pluck
which had brought aim up from the by
ways of life. from the humble ranks OF tia
poorly paid. 20 positions OF responsibility.
ard had won him the implicit confidence
OF a private business institution which
cared nothing Cor politics and everything
for personal ability. trussworthiness and
good Judgment
He had been conspicuous in politics. He
grew up with the state. the county and
the city from a time when men were
known each 70 the other. and when to be
a lsader meant that the capacity or the
man inspired confidence In his fellow 81.
AZ his influence grew. IL was sought more
generally. AS the state grew. more and
more demands we're made for his aid. He
must be either hypccrite or give his sup
port to bat one OF the many ~ho sought
ONCE. He was not q hypocrits: Il was
sometimes difficult to choose whom to
support between equally deserving candi-
dates. bat the disappointed too often fall
Cd to give him credit for his frankness
and treasured up IN resentment his fall
ure 70 espouse their cause Repeating this
through many campaigns. no necessarily
made enemies, and some OF these declared
that he was only politician.
But II he went into Office a politician he
took his seat az chief executive with a
fau appreciation OF the delicate responsi-
bnitiss Of tho Office. He soon made ii
NANTES, that the highest interests of the
state were his chief consideration and he
leaves II with the reputation OF states
man. No man wlll deny that Gov. Ac-
GFaw seemed 70 expand and broaden. His
message 20 the last legislature was q
mastery document. and he became IA
nous al over the United States for his
firm and conservative course when popu-
lar passions were surging around him.
stirred by the storms OF unrest and dis
content caused by universal reaction
from feverish prosperity. He resisted the
temptation 20 seize transient popularity
and won a lasting esteem.
Fate s,rswea along the years Of his term
difficulties such as the nation never saw
before. Ha had 60 deal with the distress
ing consequences OF conditions with whose
creation be had nothing 70 do. That hs
has bean loyal servan, OF the people and
has held his trust faithfully ana conseisn.
t3ously under the most trying perplsxities
may net be fully realized and admitted
antt contrasts make the fact more patent
bat bis reward VII come as asperities pass
away ard leave meas Judgment clearer
Gov. MeGrsw returns 10 private life q
greater man than when he was elected Il
the once he vacated yesterday and with
= tirrner hold upon the respect and good
wiu 90 the pscpl> OF the state.