The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1901-04-19
Governor Rogers, Finanei<r.


These were for the purpose of making
capitol building out of courthouse.
The wisdom of the project did not ap-
peal to the Intelligence of the whole
people, but in due form the issue was
formulated, and behind these warrants
was the honor and the wealth of the
great state of Washington Thus these
warrants became at once of more than
par value There is no doubt that they
could have been sold at a considerable
premium. They bear interest of 5 per
CENT run for a period of years, and re-
present an investment that would read
ily be classified as gilt edge.
Governor Rogers caused them to be
sold at par, not only without inviting
competition, but under circumstances
that barred competition. They were
taken by the Capital National bank of
Olympia Other banks should have
had chance and Governor Rogers is
responsible for the fact. Now the peo-
pie of the state of Washington would
like to have the executive explain. He
has been too busy thus far. Shortly
after the cOnsummation of the deal he
left Olympia and fitted through Taco
ma and sought repose in PuyaIIup.
There let it be hoped, he will mediate
into condition of repentance, although
even this would fall to bring back the
money that he caused to slip through
the hands of the eonfiding people who,
for reasons never yet explained, had
seen fit to re-elect him. The sum of
of which he has deliberately deprived
the public treasury is by the least esti-
mate 81 800. Is it worth this to have
Rogers In the chair? This modest
estimate of the loss he has caused as
sunes that the warrants should have
been sold at a premium of per cent,
whereas there is reason to suppose that
they could have been sold at 10 percent
There are precedents in plenty showing
the last estimate to be fair and proba-
bic.
During the campaign The Ledger
was frank in its expressions as to the
character and ability of Rogers. 1t
had no admiration for the one and no
confidence In the other. 1T citedlabun-
dant proof In support of its contentious.
Nevertheless the man was retained IN
office, and the harvest is being reaped
As to Pierce county faith had been bro
ken wantonly before the revelation con-
cerning these warrants, breach Of
faith affecting the whole common
wealth. We are sorry, but not sur
prised. There had been not hing in the
career of Rogers to show that he was
aetuated by lofty motives There had
not been an episode of his public life
tending to demonstrate his fitness for
great responsibilities. His honesty had
been called into question, his sincerity
purpose doubted, but the people cast
aside the abundant proof, made their
choice, and now they are beginning to
see what they got. 1t is not a case for
sympathy, and we refrain from re-
proaeh.
There is noIevading the facti.tha in
the warrant deal the interests of the
state were left wholly outside of all cal
soI, 81 Hax
belonged to the people was deliberate
ly as possible, apparently by concerted
plan, thrown into the hands of pri-
vate individual or small coterie. To
what shall this be subscribed? If to
nothing worse than stupidity, still it
places the governor in a light that does
not make of him an enviable figure
Ledger.