The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-01-02
THURSDAY. JANUARY 2. 1902
THK LATE GOVERNOR ROGERS

ernor that the state of Washington has
had has gone to rest. His death came
as severe shock to the people of the
state, the reports of his condition up to
within few hours of the end having
been so favorable that his early recov-
cry was not only hoped for but ex-
pected. That the fatal termination of
his illness is most sincerely regretted
by the masses of the people Of the state,
irrespective Of their political affilia-
tions, does not admit of question.
Itcan hardly be said of Governor Rog-
ers that he was "born great" or that he
Hachieved greatness" in the sense that
the word is used as measure Of value
OF marked achievements of men whom
history ranks as statesmen. He came
into prominence IN state politics as the
author Of the Barefoot School Boy
Bill" so called, in the first legislature
in which the Populist party, with
which he was then allied, made any
material showing of strength. The bill
was designed to provide more equita-
BILE distr hutton Of the state school
funds, with view especially to secur-
ing better school advantages for sparse
ly populated country districts. Though
u theorist and a dreamer in politics,
and imbued with many ideas that his
subsequent experience apparently con-
WINGED him were impracticable to say
the least, his work in the legislature
stamped him rs easily one of the ablest
of the nondescript horde who rode into
prominence OH the crest of the frothy
wave of Populism in this state. 1t was
doubtless fortunate for the credit and
wellbeipg of the commonwealth that
the motley forces Of dlscord and dis
content, which made at Ellensburg
their first incongruous alliance for
spoils, chose John f. Rogers as the
head Of their state ticket. They build
ed better than they knew-not for q
permanent and successful union of the
discordant elements of their combina-
tion, but for safer and more conserva-
tive administration of state affairs than
their platform of principles" gave the
people any reason to expect. lit had
been generally known that Mr.. Rogers
possessed an iron will, a mind amenable
to the enlightening and broadening
influences of high position, and a
conscientious desire to serve the people
faithfully and we'll and not permi,
himself to be used as q mere tool to
further the nefarious designs of lot OF
schemers, 1t may well be questioned
whether the governorship nomination
would have been given to him. And
he was fortunate, too, In having for q
opponent In his first campaign a man
whose nomination was in nowise 8
credit to the Republican party. There
is little reason to doubt that as between
the two candidates in that campaign
tho people made the wiser choice
though it may be that had Mr.. Sulli
van been elected he would have riser
superior to influences with which h,
was thought to be too closely allied
a4d whose domination in state poll tics
would have been most unfortunate.
Although Governor Rogers we'll mer
i.ed denomination he undoubtedly
owed his second election as much Of
more to factional strife in the Republic
can party a. to the fact that he had
gained the confidence of the masses o.
the people and disappointed the expect
ations Of the more dangerous leaders O,
the elements that brought about his
first nomination.