The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-10-09

isature are In duty bound 10 enact such
laws as their party. through its official
head. advocates.
Thrd-Legislature that fail 10 carry out
party orders are recreant 10 their trust and
false 10 their people.
Fourth-A party that Is either unfit or
unable 10 control SIS members in the legis-
lature Is menace 20 public safety. be-
sides being demOralizlnG and dangerous 20
the underlying principles Of the American
republic
Full Power tn Reform Laws.
The fusion party in 1896 elected in this
state full coierie OF state officials, with
a governor at taeir head, besides electing
a legislature that not only had a fusion ma
jority hut enjoyed a Populist majority.
This. taken in connection with the fact that
the governor was also a Popuhst. leaves
the fusion party. as well as the Populist
party, absolutely responsible for the acts
OF the legislature.
Gov. Rogers recognized the responsible
ity as here outlined, as >wen as the duty
devo.vlng upon his party under the con-
stltution OF the state. for In his first mes
sage 10 the legislature he said:
You are here TO make ana mend the
laws The people look to you Tor relief.
They have elected you with the hope and
the belief that you VIII be able TO remove
some Of the difficulties under which they
are laborlng. This Is well understood by
all and your presence here is an implied
accordance Of most important trust thus
committed to your charge"
In order further to emphasize this. Gov.
Rogers said:
Section 6 OF article OF our state con-
s,itutiou provides that the governor shall
comm unicate at every session by message
10 the legislature the condition Of the ar
fairs Of the state ANA recommend such
measures as he shan deem expealehi foF
their action
The condition that Gov. Rogers. the ex"
ecutive head of the fusion party. desired
to explain vas that The state OF Washing
ton had been under Republican control:
that tie fus.onlsjs in order 10 SECURE the
Offices had made to the people certain
pledges Of necessary reforms" that it was
his duty to call 70 the attention Of tho
legislature. and their duty 10 enact into
law. those reforms demanded for tho
peoples benefit.
Corrupt md Useless.
Is fl true. then. that the fusion ieglsla-
ttre elected IN 1885 was not only corrupt
ana incompetent. bat that II failed 10 ex-
hioii any feeiing Of party responsibility or
CouT0l2
That Il was corrupt is known 20 every
body vino had any experience with that
fofy. and it vas openly charged on the
floor Il the house rs leading Pooulists
d1istnc the debate on the railroad bin that
the legislature was corrupt and rotten 20
.na rore Fhat Il failed 70 exhibit any
feeling of party responsibility is easily
proven.
6ov Rogers. ia his message. saw the
danger of fusion. lie said;
.stn rgfsHaree Il tl.e duty thus imposed
ttv The cpnsitujont am ied. first. earn
.stiy 30 warm yeg against 'h@ hangers ~
f.c.lurai controversy for when once this
As- a4.er arcl.ecf earnest en9saTGf and
hfge batr.gst. resove perish In tins ferce
heat eageGitFed by he struggle Tor place"
ln oaher WORDS. he might have said We
are ~, .ue party. but three. trying 10
carry ott Pledges made - chs people IN
oraer tAst roue x ps mishi get Office. IL
yFa, get into f4e.loaal controversy for the
places or 3ohs ,n sight. your easily made
proysves - the people VIZ be forgotten.
Ne doubt he eaw the danger Ia existed.
ard later experience proved that his warn
!ng nas needed, bY, IL was not needed.
suggestions to the Legislature.
Tte governor ta-n proceeded 10 reoom-
rneaH tf9 measures he teeGe3 expedient
FOR ths.s action ana brloay they were as
follows
FIrst-Foliow 10 the footsteps of Penn
z.tyanfs ara othcr Eastern states ard
ra Sc ..so-fh{fts III t1e state revenue from
taxes esFg corporation stock. limited part
nersRips. foreign Insurance companies, IN