Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1900-08-24
Rogers Upitness.

State officers are able to make very
creditable showing for their services
the past four years, not alone from
economic work done, but from the de-
veloping of latent sources OF revenue
which have materially lifted the bur-
den of taxation from the peoples
shoulders. Every one of these aids
can be traced to its legitimate source,
and there is no more need of attribut-
ing their Inauguration, development,
or success, to the executive head,
than there is to proclaim that the
twinkling starlight is reflected from
the moon.
It is observed, however, that there
are many OF our fellow mer who read
lily accede to anything that is said ia
vorable to men in public office. 1t is
probably best that it should be so, for
it shows faith in humanity in gene
raj, which extended observation dem.
monstrates is often misplaced, and a
thorough knowledge of that fact
might lead to development of cynic.
al nature and the pessimism and mis-
anthropy which destroys hope and
makes life a burden.
1t is we'll, however, for people who
follow the promptings of patriotism
in shaping the destiny of free govern
ment to study well the personal char
acteristics of their so-called rulers, and
when they ask for reelection, to YER
lily by crucial facts their adaptability
or unlitness for an extension of official
terms, based upon the best possible
test, their own acts. As great patri-
OF once said, "There is no better way
of judging OF the future than by the
past" and in judging OF the past Of
fetal acts of John R. Rogers, what
anybody can see to approve, aside
from the bare performance of routine
work, is beyond the power of mortal
man to discover. On the other hand,
there is much connected with his Of
fetal conduct, that we believe, like
Vice, presents so frightful mien,
As to be hated needs but to be SEEN"
and it is to state a few of those facts,
and prove them by indisputable evi.
dence, if required, that this article is
written.
LIST, we charge ]. R. Rogers with hay
ing "held up" bills to influence legis-
lation. 1t can be shown that his
henchmen, the concluding days of the
last session, became so bold as to
claim that they spoke by executive
authority that certain appropriations
would not meet with the executive ap-
proval necessary to their validity, UNI
less Rogers spite-work should be ad-
vanced by making effective the official
veto OH other measures. Hon. John
McReavy stated this to be the case,
and voted to please the executive and
Immediately afterwards the Skokomish
fishery appropriation became law.
This should be sufficient to prevent
his denomination by any honest party.
I'd. John r. Rogers did, through his
henchmen, levy and collect contribu-
lions for Rogers campaign to secure
his denomination. and has sent his ap-
pointees, whose salaries are paid by
the people, over the State to promote
that object. That the levy and collec.
ton has been made can be proven by
ex-Secretary of the Board OF Control,
Mr.. Chidester, whose resignation there.
from was based upon a knowledge OF
such nefarious methods for self-ad.
vancement.
This should be sufficient to prevent
his denomination by any honest party.
Sd, John r. Rogers, has, as execu.
tive of the State, presented to the State
Auditor bills for his wife and daugh.
ter's transportation, and dining-ca,
and hotel expenses, while they were
accompanying him on his junketine
trips about the State, which bills, Au.
ditor Cheetham states, were disallowed
whereupon Rogers approached Deputy
Attorney General Vance for aid in Sc.
curing payment of the bills. He was
plainly told by the Attorney General
that there was no authority OF law by
which the bills could be paid, and he
then withdrew them for the present.
Nepotism by official appointment, i,
bad enough, but to foist his family de.
pendents upon the payroll without
either of them performing any legiti.
mate service therefor, is in plain viola
ton of propriety and his oath of Office.
This act should prevent him from
receiving a nomination from any party
OF honest men.
Aside from these specific acts of
dishonesty, the executive has been
guilty of outlining a policy through
out his term for his own personal ag-
grandizement. He has ignored every
pledge and promise made in the CAM
paign four years ago, when it con-
ficted with building up a personal fol-
lowing, and has connived with enemies
OF the powers opposed to Republic
canism" to make his work effective.
Now should the people who are un.
aware of this perfidy, or delegates
elected without knowledge of these
and many other facts o! equal damn
ing force, be allowed to vote with their
eyes closed to his utter unfitness for
any official position whatever? Shall
the opposition of Thurston county be