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

the reform administration is aHorded pS
a brief study OF the sayings. and dolngs
OF +. A. Mcdonald. dairy commissioner
OF the state by appointment OF John r.
Rogers. at intervals during his term of
Office which began in April, 1897 and still
continues.
with certain authority, prerogatlves
and emoluments. fixed and carefully de-
fined by legislative enactment, Mr. Nc
Donald was placed by Rogers at the head
OF one OF the most important growing In
dustries Of the state. Not only that. but
10 him was eonhded the care and protec-
tion OF the people Of Washington against
the imposition, by unscrupulous produc-
ers and dealers, OF spurious and harmful
dairy products.
Today Commissioner Mcdonald stands
accused of wrongful practices, crooked
ness. Illegal methods and malfeasance in
office. Under threat OF publieity and
probable serious injury to their business
he has forced milk producers and vendors
to pay sums of money into his hands OF
those of his deputies without recourse to
or the slightest warrant of law. In known
cases sums of money so extorted have
never been accounted for either to the
state. Of which he Is the servant. or TO
the county in which the residents have
suffered from his unlawful demands. BY
false representations he has made the
superior court in one county at least a
party to his mischief He has shown his
inideity to the interests OF the people
In many ways. but In all has proven him
self well-htting part In the corrupt ad-
ministration of the affairs OF the state.
How his duties have been fulfilled by
Mcdonald win perhaps never be fully
known Only from certain specific acts
can the whole administration of his Of
fee be determined He entered upon
this administration with no special
qualifications for the work his
sole recommendation 10 Gov Rogers be-
ing the fact that In the state campaign
OF 1895 he was chairman Of the fusion
committee of Pierce county and In that
capacity contributed substantially 20 the
majority which landed Rogers IN the
governors chair.
Honest dairyrnen ana dealers have little
II any fault to find with the laws of the
state pertaining to their business. The
first law was enacted in the legislative
session of 1895 at which time the office
OF state dairy commissioner was created.
The law was slightly amended In the ses-
sion OF 1897, and again in the session OF
1899. IL Is not disputed that with proper
and honest administration the laws would
be OF vast henefit, encouraging and pro-
noting the dairy interests and protect
ing and conserving the health Of the peo-
ple.
Opposed by Dstrymep.
The Dairymen's Association Of Wash
ington is the representative body OF all
those engaged IN the state I'm the
production, manufacture and sale OF dairy
products, 1t is "a strong organization. its
membership comprising the leading dairy
men. creamery men and butter and cheese
manufacturers.
The association opposed the appoint
ment or Mcdonald The desire of It's
members was that the state dairy COM
missioner should be a man thoroughly
familiar with the details ~ the business
and canver@ant with existing conditions
in washington. Mcdonald was a dealer
IN eleomargarine in Tacoma, and from
the very nature Of his occupation vas
generally looked upon by the dairymen
as antagouietie TO their interests.
The dairymen's association met in an
nuai convention IN Tacoma In December
1856. following the election of Rogers ana
the f,lsien state ticket Several aspir-
ants for the appoin tment as dairy com
missioner recognized that great force
would be added to their claims by an In
dorssment from the association. MELON
aid had already fixed his ambition on the
place, and his name, With those of 9th
era. Was submitted 10 the dslFymen. he
received very few votes hAlf dozen of
the other candidates having higher NUM-
hers. while a good majority of the whole
b1av voted IN favor o. ind0rsing Frod j.
Chcal a practical daifyman ef Tacoma
The fndorseruent of Mr.. Cheal was made
unanimous
sought Vengeance Through Rogers.
sfunx by the prompt rcpudlstion of ne
tatr, mems association there seems little
doubt that Mcdonald AZ onee determined
that lf he WAS not 20 have the eFftee no
one sise should As chairman q the COM
rittee "a Rogers home county, his In
aporcr aith the gavctucr-siect was power
ntl Rogtrs had hardiy taken bis scat
when st hera me apparent hat he ana
Mcdonald had FORMED conspiracy not
only ta utterly disregard thc expresses
wishes of tae aaifymen hat 90 strike BACK
at tb~ra hv abolfshlnK the cfflcc ~ dairy
~.,n,r,iasteuer ard Leaving ths areat In
anstrv entirely wlhalt an uFtcsal rcpTe-
sept.ifve in tae state Administration
The existence of such a conspiracy wsS
-iesrtv shanru by Ragrrt' drst message 90
The legislature. whsrein hc TeNornfiafafted
char are otac1 81 state Dairy comrnsss'oneF
b. abolished t5r the alleged rsasnu that
,ha paonls received ua hrneHt FROM tho
exl..n,liiu-cs nG fhc state 20 tne Paymert
al ailagies ana ma'utoranct exTs nses q
tht ognoe
A. further incentive % the making
az fhl4 recommendation. aside from
desire 90 AZ once propiNatc and afenEe
81 fathful henchman Mcdonald. Bog-
sr~ was moved by ass rahi3 anxiety 90
sn.r.llv undo and set at pAuEht az the
vsisa ara pruieetivr isSisiNtipu enacted
,rAer preceding Rtpuhiieav ausp}Ces. TIE
COMBINATIONS Language used in tha mes
sRee has never been forgotten by she
salry-men ard dealers. and is fresh IN the
minds ~ the people generaily. having
I hesn published In the Post -tntellAsonccr
Tuasaay The governor said
/ n am unable 70 discover fsat the iairs
/ ~rrl7r1.s=lourr has been able 20 prod see
4 -suna III butter more than vluld have
! hs.ar me ease lf hiss ofape aad nos been
| rrtgfe,i unr do I believe that he has in-
/ creased the price or quality o. the butter
1 offered ia our markets.
1 Tho sale of oieo Is prohibited by pen
| altv and half the ane ie By statute gwen
| 70 the informer. II Is probable that this