The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-11-02
Roasts Rogers Reform.

J. T. Baymiller, chief turnkey of the
state penitentlary at Walla Walla, one
of the original members and Sorgan
izers of the Peoples party in Wash
ington, has rendered his resignation to
Gov. Rogers and the board OF audit
and control and declares that he will
not support the fusion state ticket
now in the field
The reasons for Mr.. Baymiller's ac-
ton are many. AS an oldline Popu-
list and believer in the advanced
theories of that party, the Rogers adj
ministration has not only fallen far
short OF his ideals, but by the mis-
management and corruption of self
serving political manipulators, has
practically destroyed his party and
brought the state into dishonor and
disrepute. In announcing his resigna-
ton Mr.. Baymiller says:
81 have reached 'the parting of the
ways, and I decidedly refuse to be a
party TO the corruption which / know
is being practieed 10y the coterie of
politicians seeking election on the
Democratic state ticket-headed by
that chief corruptionist, John Rankin
Rogers. Ii the Democrat ticket is
successful at the polls it will give the
Rogers-Turner combine license to
continue their questionable methods
and heavier burden on the people
will be the result. In order to perpet-
uate their power they are filching
money from the state treasury, cnder
the specious plea OF an advance OF
wages TO employees, but which increase
is plomptly claimed by their chief
financial agent-George Hazard.
Gin order that others may know
why it is impossible for me to support
the ticket, and thus enable all honor
able retormers to vote inteiligently to
prevent a continuation of such in
famous methods, give few of my
reasons TO the puolic. 1t pains me to
be compelled to acknowledge that re-
form has come TO such q pass in
Washington, but desire to aid in
rebuklng ruttennesS under the cloak
of reform, is my excuse for so doinp y
Mr.. Baymiller sets forth specific in
stances OF the misuse Of funds, the un-
warranted employment of convict
labor, the demands OF George Hazard
for portions Of the wages of every en-
ploye to be given to the Campaign
fund OF Rogers, the unexplained IN
crease 10 prices paid fer peniten-
tiary supplies and the mysterious
pardonlng OF criminals. His state
mentproves conclusively what has al
ready been partially known and gen
orally suspected-that the demoraliza-
ton and corruption in the state in
st.tutlons caused by Rogers, Snively,
Lister and their tools, reaches, per
maps, Its foulest depths III the state
penitentiary.
When the United States govern.
ment made an appropriation of $50 ,00(
to constructaan additional wing to the
penitenuary for the detention of Of
lenders against federal laws, Warden
Catron, under .advices of the board oI
audit and control, at once formed !
plan to rehabilltate his depleted main
tenance fund On the authority O
another prison officer, Mr.. Baymillel
quotes Catron as having said:
"Our approximation for MAINTENANCE,
OF the peniientiary is runpinr shor
aud we mustsmanagclsolne way 10 pe
some OF That appropriation to helm -
out, and We must do al the WORK.. ",
can with the cpnsicts, but this mns
not GO outside the family s