The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-06-08
THE MEMBERS OF WASHINGTON,
PARTY SAY THEY WERE
sNUssEp.
Executive and Wife Were Only One
Who Attended the Banquet in
Honor Of Fairbanks

Governor Mead and wife alone of tho
Washington delegation that attended
the opening of the Lewis and Clark
exposition. were permitted to attend
the banquet given In honor of Vice
President Fairbanks, and 1t was only
after a strenuous effort on the part Of
Lieutenant Governor c. E. Coon. that
invitations to the Washington men
were secured for the reception that
followed, is the story that comes from
the sound.
A few Of the members of the official
party from this state had tickets for
the reception. The lieutenant gover-
nor, who did not attend himself, Sc
cured invitations for the others. In
the same manner were members Of
the official party accommodated dur
ing the speech making
Members of the Lewis and Clark
commission for this state were ig-
nored save insofar as their co.opera-
ton was necessary to turn the state
building over to the proper autnori-
ties. The members of the commission
were thrust aside by the gold braid
that surrounded Governor Mead and
ignored by the officials that planned
the Lewis and Clark dedicatory exer-
cises. And yet Washington's building
was the only one where opening GER
emonies were held and the only one
ready on opening day.
The Official Family Snubbed
After the snub accorded the meme
bers of the official Washington party.
and tine effort to thrust aside the menu
bers of the commission from this state
came the reception given by the city
of Bellingham to Governor Mead. This
was held in the Washington building.
but none of the members of the COM
mission were in attendance. Nor were
there enough of the official parties
from this state to attract attention.
DR.. w. H. Hare, secretary of the
fair commission from Washington and
clerk of the United States district
court for eastern Washington, togeth-
err with Lieutenant Governor Coon, at
tempted to attend the official guber-
national reception. They were met
outside the room where the governor
was receiving by Adjutant General
Drain, who stationed them near a
stairway and declared he would go to
prepare place in line for them. When
the reception was over the two state
officials were still standing there
awaiting permission to enter. General
Drain said he had forgotten them.
Aside from the gubernatorial party.
which included the executive and his
personal staff, there were at Portland
in an official capacity the commission
from this state and the committees
from the house and senate. There was
in addition Senator Piles. and num-
Der of prominent men who went down
for the first days ceremonies.
Washington Resents the Slight
Practically all of the Washington
party that went to Portland has re-
turned. State Senator T. B. Summer
was the first to hurry through Seattle
toward Everett to get away from tna
memory of the opening day. DR.. ]. j.
Smith, president of the commission,
hurried home promptly, and State Sem
ator William Hickman Moore is back
So is Lieutenant Governor Coon.
At the outset the party from this
state had trouble to get tickets en-
titling them to sit on the platform
during the speech making on the OPEN
ing day. Several members of the del
egation stood up and other did not at
tend.
The fact that Governor Mead and
wife alone of those from Washington
were invited to the banqCet was made
known during the day. There was noe
even an invitation for Senator Piles,
but after considerable comment had
been made in loud tone of voice by
Senator Piles friends, an invitation
for him was produced.
Members of the commission from
this state felt the slight keenest for
several of them are paying their own
expenses to keep up their work, and
others have given their time freely.
But the slight put upon Washington
was resented by all those present from
this state.
The significance of the failure OF the
members of the official party and
commissioners to attend his reception
was lost upon Governor Mead. He had
a good time of it, wearing silk hat.
delivering several speeches. and max
ing an excursion to help open the Gel
lilo Rapids Portage railroad.
DR.. W. J. Waite, Eye Specialist