The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-04-20
ou,rr exEclJTIvE SPLITS WITH
HALF OF THE NEW
ADMINISTRATION.
~. Action In the Port Townsend Bond
Sale Causes Broadening OF
the Chasm.


between himself and the other state
officials is broadening and the execu-
tive in his attitude on the Port Town
send bond sale has taken the position
that no bridge will span it, says the
Seattle Press-Times.
In his attack on the proposed pur-
chase of the Port Townsend bonds
Governor Mead has jumped entirely
over the head of the attorney general.
The legal opinion of the states reg
ular counsel, not coinciding with the
views and plans of Banker c. ]. Lord
and former Senator John l.. Wilson, Is
contemptuously ignored and private
counsel is engaged, at whose expense
is not given out, to press the suit
brought by the governor.
In a public statement, however, tne
governor says:
the sole judges of the adequacy of the
security" His suit is based on the
theory that the state land commits
sioners do not amount to much as
judges and have not authority any,
way. The suit and explanation, taken
together, furnish a casus belli for the
other state officials involved and an
appeal to the political powers to hold
the other fellows SO they cannot nit.
Governor Mead had broken with two
of the state officers before his fight ON
the Port Townsend bond sales became
a factor in state politics. Governor
Mead during the campaign accepted
Lieut-Gov. Coon's hospitality at Port
stump when speaking in his running
mates own town. That the lieuten-
ant-governor patiently forgave the
governor is an incident that is recalled
in connection with the fight the exc
cutive now has.
Promised Watson Job.
Before he went into Office Governor
Mead made a call upon Secretary of
State Sam H. Nichols and told that Of
fetal that 1--WE will be just like a big
family. L intend to call upon you and
consult you about all the matters that
affect your department."
When the door closed upon Cover
nor Mead after that promise had been
given it closed for the last time The
states executive has not walked
around the corridor and into the Sec
retarys office since. And when Sec
rotary Nichols wants the governor to
act upon official matters ne cools his
heels in the anteroom until the execu-
tive is satisfied. There was a GOODNESS
between the secretary and governor
before the Port Townsend break that
affected horticultural prospects in
Thurston county.
John d. Atkinson united with Perry
Niles, during the campaign, in exact
ing pledge from Governor Mead that
ne would find a place for J. Howard
Watson. The governor remembered
the promise rather distinctly while ne
was running, but the pledge oozed
from memory when the executive be-
gan enjoying the warm spot Governor
Mcbride had left in a leather chair.
E. w. Ross is held in line to obey
the governors orders by Wilson ties
But even though he had been wasting
years of loyalty to Wilson long before
Ross could speak the name without a
shudder Perry Niles has not been
wiling to follow Wilson far enough to
forgive Mead. Mics is as thorough an
insurgent as the encouragement who
cut off personal communication with
the executive office long ago.
Can't Get Nichols.
State Superintendent of Public In
struction r. B. Bryan has had no
quarrels with the governor. He voted
once against the bond purchase be-
cause he was advised that it was an
illegal purchase. This vote was cast
doubtfully, for the superintendent be-
ieved otherwise. When it was shown
that it was legal to buy the bonds ne
voted that way. In his attacks Mead
has been shooting over Bryan's mead
He hopes to be able to drive Bryan
back into line or to coax him to the
executive view. Mead knows that hi
cannot get Nichols vote ana he /:
after Bryan's.
The Mead alliance with E. w. Ross
c. w. Clausen and George G. Mills i.
temporary affair. wisconsin mign
bind Mead and Ross, and the saw.
dust ring of Kitsap county might holt
Clausen into line, but Mills is indie
pendent of the governor. He owe:
his political existence to G.. J. Lord
and when the interests of Lord AM
Mead part, as they have in the past
Mills will forsake the executive.