The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1900-09-07
DEMOCRAT TO ROGERS
GOVPrnOr Charged With SDecific
Acts of Dishonesty.
Veteran Editor of the WASHINGTON
Standard Tells Some Things
John X. Has Been Guilty OF

The anti-republcans, and more par-
ticularly the Rogers strikers and heelers
are fond of declaring that Rogers has
been a really, truly honest governor of
the state of Washington. Saying moth
ing of his base betrayal Of the populist
party which elected him, and for whose
death blow he began to plan as soon as
he was safely seated in the gubernatorial
chair, 1T Is we'll to listen to the words of
John Miller Murphy, editor Of the Wash
lngton Standard, a thoroughly demo-
cratic paper Of 30 years standing at
Olympia. This comes from the very
shadow OF the walls of the governors
office. 1t is an arraignment such as no
other governor has been subjected to.
1t is boldly made and John r. Rogers
Is detied to enter a denial:
Arraignment of Rogers.
The Washington Standard (demo-
cratic) says: 1t is quite true that the
present state officers are able to make a
very creditable showing for their ser
vices the past four years, not alone from
economic work done but from the de-
veIOping of latent sources of revenue
which have materially lifted the burden
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 attributing their inaugu-
ration, development, or success, to the
executive head, than there il to pro-
claim that the t~inkling starlight is re
1ected from the moon.
1t is observed, however, that there
o. IS fcIlD,,, -
accede to anything that is said favor
able to men in public office 1t is prob
ably best that it should be so, for it
shows faith in humanity in general,
which extended observation demon
strates is often misplaced, and a
thorough knowledge of that fact might
lead to development of cynical nature
and the pesslmism and misanthropv
Which destroys hope and makes life a
burden.
1t Is well, however, for the people who
follow the prOmptings of patriotism in
shaping the destiny Of free government
to study well the personal characteristics
of their so called rulers, and when thev
ark for re election, to verify by crucial
facts their adaptability or unfitness for
an extension Of official terms, based up-
on the best possible test, their own acts.
As a great patriot once said, There is
no better way OF Judging the future than
bv the past" and in Judging of the past
official acts Of John r. Rogers, what
any body eau 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 official conduct,
that we believe, like
''Vice presents so frightful d 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.
Grave Charges of Dishonesty.
1st, we charge J r. Rogers with hav
ing "held up" bills to influence legisla-
ton. 1t can be shown that his bench
men, the concluding days of the last
session, became so bold az to claim that
they spoke by executive authority that
certain appropriations would not meet
with the executive approval necessary
to their validity, unless Rogers spite
work should be advanced by making
effective the official veto on other meas
ures. Hon. John McReavy stated this
to be the case, and voted to please the
executive and Immediately afterwards
the SkOkomish fishery appropriation be-
came law.
This should be sufficient to prevent
his denomination by any honest party.
I'd, John R. Rogers did, through his
levy and collect contributions
n pnnnpsf fr, l.
and has sent his appOinteea.
whose salaries are paid by the people,
over the state to promote that object.
That the levy and collection has been
made can be proven by eX-secretary of
the board of control, Mr.. Chidester,
whose resignation therefrom was based
upon II knowledge of such nefarious
methods for self-advancement.
This should be sufficient to prevent
his denomination by any honest party.
Sd, John R. Rogers, has, as executive
of the state, presented to the state
auditor bills for bis wife and daughter's
transportation, and diniDg-car and
hotel expenses, while they were accom-
panying him on his juDketing trips
abOu the state, which bills, Auditor
Cheetham states, we're disallOwed, where
upon Rogers approached Deputy At
tOrney General Vance for aid in secur-
ing payment OF the bills He was plain
ly 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, is
bad enough, but to foist his family de-
pendents upon the payroll without either
OF them performing any legitimate ser
vice therefor, is in plain violation of
propriety and his oath of office.
This act should prevent him from re,
ceiving a nomination from any party of
honest men.
Aside from these specific acts of dis
honesty, the executive has been guilty
of outlining a policy throughout his
term for his own personal aggrandize-
ment. He has ignored every pledge and
promise made in the campaign four
years ago, when it conhicted with build
ing up a personal following, and has
connived with enemies OF the powers
opposed to republicanism" to make
his work effective
Now should the people who are un-
aware OF this perfdy. or delegates elect
ed without a knowledge OF these and
many other facts of equal damnng
force, be allowed to vote with their eyes
closed to his utter unfitness for any Of
fficial position whatever? Shall the OPP
position OF Thurston county be handi
capped by the bare assertion that We
have personal grievance to redress
| when so many and such fragrant viola