The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-30
rnE STRANGE CASE OF MIR. WATSON
Seattle. January %, 1885.

Seattle, January - lSsS
To the Editor: One OF the most sxcru-
tiating political deaths that IT has ever
been the fortune of the people OF TINS
state 20 witness IS TOW taking place IN
the office OF the United States surveyor
general at Olympia This is 10 be re-
GREETED for many reasons. Mr.. Watson Is
one OF those socially delightful gentlemen
from the South, so many Of whom were
introduced into Washington state affairs
by the two Cleveland administrations
His advent was marked by the usual
Democratic clean sweep. and later ne
became an enthusiastic convert 10 the
doctrine OF civil service reform. after the
PRONUNCIATION of the famous blanket or
der" The iamb-like gantleness with
which a southern Federal officeholder III
the North can draw a salary and look
peasant was never disturbed until with
in the last few months. when II became
evident 10 Mr.. Watson that the national
government was laborins under mis-
apprehension This he undertook TO
rectify by epistolary communications 10
the departments. and having the Durden
Of proof which is always imposed on the
affirmative his load has become very
heavy.
I.at,erIy Mr. Watson has assumed the
despairing attitude of dirt throwing,
In the last communication which Mr.
Watson addressed TO Washington city,
and which has been made public. he takes
occasion TO refer to the Republican cnief
clerk who was in office when he came 10
this state. Mr. Watson retained copy
of this letter and secured its publication
in the local press, first carefully eiiminat-
ing the reference TO the clerk. the omis-
sion being indicated by line or stars.
The entire letter, however, was secured
by the Post-Inteliigencer representative
at Washington city. and published. The
vi 500 n
read: IS the former chief clerk.
whom 1 discharged. and against whom
there are grave charges of corruption IN
Office
On the Goth day of April, 1894. a few
months after Mr.. Watson had assumed
the duties of his office. he addressed the
following letter to the clerk:
IA B. Cowles. Esq, Present-My Dear
Sir: 1t becomes my dsagreeahle duty 10
ask for your resignation as chief clerk or
this Office.
governed solely by political considerations
and that | fully recognize the ability and
thoroughness with which YOU have MED
the position. the Office. might say. oelng
practically run by you. will be amply
satisfied II your successor proves as apie
and efficient.
tesrity and conscentiousness OF the dis
charge of your duty.
Personally. wish to thank you for the
uniform
YOU have shown TO me, a stranger, coming
to displace the old management.
I'VE will part with the kindest OF feel
ings on my part. and with the regret that
the exigencies of politics require the dis
placement of such an efficient man. Yours.
very truly,
(Sirned) "WM. z. WATSON"
Mr. Cowies first discharged the duties OF
chief clerk OF the surveyor generals Office
under Gen. William NcAIicken. who held
the principal post from 1873 until 1885, I'm
der Breckenridge, Cleveland appointee,
he remained, by urgent request, for about
eighteen months. He was called back I'M
der Cavanaugh, the Harrison appointee.
and remained until Mr.. Watson saw fit to
'discharse him. there being grave charges
of corruption in Office
During something more than quarter OF
a century the people of this state nave
known Mr. Cowes both personally and Of
ficialy. The discovery of his corruption
by Mr.. Watson is strange one. ana prob
ably indicates nothing so much as Mr..
Watson's strange tendency TO lose no op-
portunity to change front. He now claims
to he a man without "A party. and bids
fair TO retire TO private life without
friend. REPUBLICAN.