The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-23

when John r.. Rogers was elected gov
ernor Of Washington In 1898 he posed as
the apostle Of purity In politics ana OF
strict economy and rstrenchment Tn pub
lie AFFAIRS. The governors official and
political conduct during the last year OF
his administration has proven conolu-
sively that a mighty mssamorphosis has
been worked In the man himself and
that whatever grain Of sincerity there
may have been in his former protesta-
tions OF punctlious honesty and economy
In the expenditure OF tho states money
have been cast TO tho winds
But for tho vigorous and unyieidng OBJ
jeetion OF State Auditor Cheetham. the
people OF Washington would not have
known. perhaps. that the governor had
come TO look upon ths funds appropriated
by the legislature for his legitimate and
official expenses ss his own personal
property.
Tho Post-Inteilieencer has already
given publicity 20 the fact that the gov
ernor's bin made out against the state
for travelling expenses OF his wifs and
family during his trip 10 the normal
school at Eilensbnrg last spring was dis
allowed by the auditor. All the facts ia
the case which furnish an index TO tho
peculiar position occupied by GOV. Rog-
ers. and throw light on thu motives
which now actua,s him. havs not. how
ever been siv-n publicity until now.
Gov. Rogers presented . BIN for up-
wards Of $50 for travelling expenses. pull
man. dining car service. etc. for himself,
HIS wife and daughter on tho &c.
caslon Of HIS visit 70 Eiiensburw. Mr.
cheetham. tho state auditor. politely ra-
ouested him 10 eliminate the iterus of ex-
pense CHARGED to the state which he ex-
pended for the benent Of his family MIR.
Cheeihnm explained that under the law
he could not audit the account ns II
stood. but promised ia pny all legitimate
items ~ expense incurred by the COVER.
nor in his official caplcity. Later ho-
tel BIN incurred by tho governors FAM
ily ~ Elirnsburw for $40 was sent In
against the normal school maintenance
fund. approved by the r@genf. IT, too.
was disaisowed by the auditor
Gov Rogers refused 20 caif out 4 single
item from thu bill. ard sngrily told the
state auditor that he would appeal 10
the assistant attorney general Mr.. Vance.
From the official record. nt olympia II
appears that he did 30. bat that his In.
uuIry TO Mir Vance did not state the
faets IN the case.
with an opinion covering Fiitterins ven-
erai'les IN his possession fhe governor,
q is charged by Auditor Ch~etharn. de-
iiberatelv sought go misisAa him into hu-
dltlng the account. This appears more
fnliy n th- rubioined official cerrsepon-
deace The governor called on Auditor
Chsotham and told hira IN effect. that Mr.
Vance tnd sustained him IN hia view ~
fhs matter ~ issue NE then asked IN.
auditor 20 approve she entire hin
Mr.. cheeiham. however. addressed a
letter % tha attorney general stating ri
ths facts in ths case. after nras furiify-
inR himself with q copy ~ Mr. vanes'a
ouins0n written for TIE governors hene-
r. ia his cantrugrsT with 'he auditor.
The resnit whs that wf vnpes furniah.
"a Hr chssthafn wfth sn apiaian - 20
hts dniy r. the esee whleh absolutely pus.
'agnsa his scsirn ana maaa q dear. ~
least 90 NJ chesitan. that sile gav.
srncr haa ~ saiterfHgs sought ~ -,
eo-sa'isA iha' which hs haf been unaias
- a. oneuig.
Flusfnx ls = rory ~ fha osinirs ren.
asrs5 ~ ssrieisnt Attorney General
vance q, me request % TIE goverusrs
yases's rIrss opi.ies.
clvmsfa. AnfH n fsa
uie rsesiiFney fhs Nnasrpnr f.srs-
ssa wast SIR Te4r inaal9T ~ So
~ts stnee e hstofe ns. ard y As
Frffrssg
"Nhnsa wostrNFvH nfe aTeRfHses hv
tts teaH NJ . 8ersFfraeuf fos fneiAeHiat
SEA igsgffH- frsenasa anRHffs esat
~ ar afasFiftlNN ws&# wfm asbft~
e. ,fat aefaftart8s aa8 wNasn aaH
#rhsFa ere rf6neFiv ssaeltfssi aus
tslr assH~sf3eMted ~ fhe haaA nf atfsA