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

Gov. Rogers, who has just concluded
hurried visit 10 the state agricultural
college at Pullman. is already out in an In
tervlew In which he endeavors to cast dis
credit upon President Bryan in particular,
and the board OF regents In that institution
in general. because, forsooth. they placed
themselves In the position Of defending ..le
institution from attacks made against
their administration. The case in point
Is one where exmavagance was charged
against the board OF regents. which 1t was
said resulted IN creating deficiency In
hast years appropriation. Of something
like s., GO and which charge the governor
determined TO investigate. After two sit
tlngs the governor concludes his investi-
cation, rises and reports back 10 the state,
through the newspapers, that he has prov
en- his case. that there has been extrava-
gance, that deficiency. amounting TO
about s., coo. was created during the pre-
vious year, which was paid out of the
funds appropriated for the conduct OF the
institution during the year 1873. but that
ne 'looks forward to a harmonious settle
ment OF the difficulties which at present
confront the management OF the institu-
tion." The governor says further that at
the present rate of expenditure serious
eeficls 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-
ducMons which should be made. and says
that President Bryan now admits the JUS
lice OF the demand. In conclusion the
governor says: The board OF regents
wlu shortly be called together and reduc-
lions made. differences adjusted. and the
Institution placed upon Arm and sndur-
ing basis"
GOV. Rogers. according to his own
s.at~enent. has a solemn duty 20 perform.
Either the whole thing is an error and is a
Ies Of cheap elap-trhp. dished up by the
governor for hls own delectation-to give
himself a swell" as Chimmis Fadden
woald express it--or one OF the most I'M
portant laws Of the state has been vio-
lated When tho Republicans were in
control OF the state government law was
enacted BY the legislature. upon sugges-
ten ~ the then governor John IL Nc
Graw. making & misdemeanor for any
official 81 the state government. or any
noara IN control OF any institution Of the
statT 20 expead in any one year any sum
IN excess q the amount Appropriated for
that institution for that year. aud pTovsd-
.as a penalty OF Imprisonment as well a.
IVA king such excess OF expenditure a per
a cisin against the state Official or
members q the hoard responsible for the
debt.
IL. therefore What Gov. Rogers says is
ttne. then "a harmonious settlement OF
tse asfflcuitios" should not be possible. The
Law. as Gov. Rogers found IL or the stat
NE hooks. should De enforced. and " /,
Is true that the beard os regents ~ tAe
STAKE agricultural collcse las been guilty
81 violating one OF our most important
laws by spending Ssoe8 more thaa the
legislature told them % spend. they should
b held 10 strict Accountability. II
sAoul3 not BE lef, with the rovernor 20
wink az sueh violations q the law and
make harmonious settlements A pub
BE Invest sa1loB saoul8 he made in the
courts os tie goveraov's charges. ard st Is
the Getty q tee attorney general 70 see
that the law is enfarcea