The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-05
Mid-Roaders Against Rogers.

Mid-Roaders Against Rogers.
The middle-of-the-road Populists have
declared against Gov. Rogers. A good
many people have regarded the govern
or as pretty good Pupulist and have
thought he met all the requirements de-
manded for entrance into the organiza-
tion that first took form at Omaha in
1892. The straight-out POpulist has
found out, however. that upon trial
Rogers has been found wanting. He
may have posed as q Populist when
something was to be gained by so do
ins, but having attained his end and
found out that It Is not good year for
straight Populism. he seems willing to
abandon the fight for some of the prin-
ciples and policies that are very dear
to the true Populists, and in an emerg-
ency has been willing to forsake the
party name and turn the cold shoulder
on many earnest men who were his
close associates in the early days OF
Populism and who are largely respons-
ible for his sudden rise from obscurity
to power and prominence.
The real Populists have found out
that while Rogers is full OF curious
ideas and at one time professed to be
an earnest advocate of the fundamental
doctrines of the Populist party, he IL
really by nature shuffler. That Is to
say. he will hold fast certain principles
only so long as he believes that by 30
doing he Will advance the cause OF
Rogers His former associates who have
just deserted him say that while he at
one time expressed his desire to be
merely the servant of the people with
whom he would always keep in close
touch. little brief authority has
imbued him with the notion that he is
a master rather than servant The
friends. associates. advisers and poll
teal workers OF other days have the
right. of course. TO approach the outer
door and offer suggestions, but since
his coming into office his customary
rejection OF weIl-lntended advice has
led his former friends TO reach the
conclusion that he now believes that
the people do not know as much "a he
once thought they did.
The middie-of-the- road popuiists
feel. and they have right to feel. that
Rogers. since authority and regular
monthly salary have been thrust upon
him. Is not so much inclined to get down
among the common people as he was
when be was struggling with adversely.
Prosperity has made him eonceited. in
tolerant and dicsatorial Men who were
all right few years ago ara not good
enough for him now. and. II IL Is Just
the same to them he would prefer that
they have nothing 70 DO with him.
Then. too. a taste OF power has created
In hsa a desire for more of a. He
would like not only 20 be at the head
% the state. bat he would also enjoy
bainR the boss Of party. Hence the
building MP OF Rogers machine. which.
with sts agents tn all parts Of the state,
may gain enough influence 10 dictate
20 What he terms the forces opposed
to the Republican party.
The honest popuilss doesn't like all
this. When he voted for Rogers he
voted for plain citizen and not for
a man who thinks himself better than
those who made him. He voted for a
candidate who he believed, would stand
Cor straiEht~ovt Fopulism and who
would not jump into another political
organization the moment there was a
prospect Of personal gain in the shift.
He voted for man who would try and
build up the Populist party and not
fer one who would desert e In order
20 build up the Rogers party Instead
81 assisting % elect a man who would
remain true to the organization which
brought him 70 the front. the true
Populists have found that they helped
70 place in power one ~ho thinks him
self bigger than any organization and