The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-23
Withheld His Appointments From
the Senate in 1897.
Built UP POLITICAL MACHINE.
I'm Defiance of the Law, the Gov
nte In se7 Chance to Approve
His Appointments or Reject
Tb~m-Begtnpinn Of orGani.a-
ton Of the Turuer-Rogers Ring.

Since the moment Of the contamination
Of his debasinr alliance with Senator Tur-
ner Gov Rogers has cast aside the role
OF "reforrner" which he assumed while
posing as o champion OF the peoples
rights and Of purity in politics. and has
played the part OF an autocrat with ha-
tired TO his enemies In his own party and
with rewards in his hand In the shape
Of appointments for the men who were
willing to bear the brand OF the Turner
Rogers ring.
Gov. Rogers divorced himself from de-
cent political methods and thereby alien
ated from his support the great mass OF
the Popuist leaders OF the state when ne
refused during the session Of the legisla-
ture Of 1897 10 allow the senate OF that
body 70 act regarding his appointments
for state Offices. The constitution and the
state law contemplate that the governor ;
appointments shall be reviewed by the
senate and shall be confirmed or rejected
by that body. according to the view Its
members take Of the worth OF the APP
pointees of the governor
This provision has hack Of Il a long
standing precedent in the history of the
United States. Its value 10 the people
and 10 good government II not disputed
IN any political party. yet Gov. Rogers
deliberately and wilifully set the law at
naught when he got ready in the winter
Of 1897. TO make up his slate of political
henchmen who were to receive at his
hands appointments TO the various po-
sitions TO BE- filled.
During the session OF the legislature OF
1897, when his own party, the Populist, was
In an overwhelming majority, Gov. Rogers
braxenly defYed the law and refused to ac-
cede to the demands OF his party ec
ates that his appointments he submitted
70 the senate. The governor distrusfed
tho senate and his party associates there.
few Of them were not members OF the
Turner Rogers ring and had not borne the
lie Roi brand during the senatorial fight.
II WAS OF these men that the governor
was afraid and Il was because of his fear
that they would scrntinxe his appoint
ments that he refused to follow the law
and allow the senate to pass on his APP
pointments.
Senator Wilson's Resolution.
March 2. 1897, when but nine days re-
manned OF the session Senator Wilson In
PRODUCED the following resolution. which
r. found on page aai Of the senate joirnai
Of that session:
ments OF law that appointments by the
governor shall be made by and with the
approval of the senate. this body IL
charged with share OF the responsibility
for such appointments. and.
Whereas, Numerous appointments sub
mitted by his predecessor have been with
drawn BY the present governor and there
are many appointments now to be made.
Whereas. This body desires TO do its
full duty In the premises, and.
Whereas, In order to 80 do It's fun duty
this body should have reasonable time
70 consider the selections made by the
governor: and.
Whereas. Only nine days remain Of the
term limited for this Legislature; now b. Il
Resolved. That the governor be and h.
II hereby requested 10 submit 70 this body
Mt his earliest convenience the appoint
'nents to be made and considered at this
session.
The Pbpuiist senators of whom the ma
3ority were tied up with the Turner HoH-
ers ring. cringinH under the lash of the
executive. voted to table this motion. al
and strictly within the prerogativc of the
senate.
The governor. however had provided for
just sdch contingency and had given
out THE word that II the P0pulist senator's
eountenanced such a move on the part OF
the senate. they would be ignored In the
dissributior Of the patronage.
The governor at that time was busy.
with tho advice OF Senator Turner and
VI i sntvely III making M his slate Of
state appointces. all the time having in
mind the perpetnatinn ~ the domination
~ the Turner Rogers ring. After the
legislature adjourned the governor filed.
during the late Water aaa spring OF ifai
the following appointments vita the sec
resary 81 state.
W +, e. Adams, commissioner Of labor
salary ttH1 per annuru
Herbert hashford, librarian salary 81 600
ter arnum
i ~ Baker, commissioner 81 horticui-
fure, salary 81 600 par year.
William isiaekman state factory In
aprctor salary 81 100 per year
Ernest Lister. commissioner 81 public
institutions. salary t40e per year
A, @ Ilttte hsh commissioner. salary
-g4as aaa-