The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1906-09-29
GRAY AND MAYER
IN THE FIFTH

ance with matters concerning the
district and for their general at
tainments. The district is one in
which many questions come up re-
curing much investigation and a
great amount of wisdom and ex-
perience. Captain Gray has proved
that he has these qualities both as
former member of the house and
as representative from the Second
ward in the city council. Mr.. May
err, as a business man, has always
been in touch with the business
interests of the community and is
in every way qualified for legis-
lative work.
Captain John Gray.
Captain John Gray was born in
Terre Haute, Ind, and is now 81
years of age. The years between
; 1850 and 1879 he passed in Iowa.
! In the latter year he moved to
, Santa Fe, N. M. He has been
, resident of Spokane since 1898. For
Captain Gray was chief of police
Of the city of Ottumwa. His public
service while in New Mexico was
confined to warden of the peni-
Tertiary for four years and clerk
of the Santa Fee county court for
three years. For some time after
| coming to Spokane, he engaged in
the mercantile business. His re-
cent years, his record as a legis
lator and also as member Of the
city council have marked him as
a man of ability, broad minded
and conservative, man of energy
and direct application to what he
has undertaken to do. AS mem
Der of the legislature of 1903 he
made the unique record of having
missed net single roll call, and
when it is remembered that roll
call is made on every piece Of legis-
lation, it will be seen that Captain
Gray did not 'straddle' single
measure He also was present at
every meeting of his committees.
AS a result of his experiences in
the city council, Captain Gray fav
ors municipal ownership of public
utilities. 1t was he who offered a
resolution requesting the prepare
ton of estimates of the cost of
establishing municipal lighting
plant at the up-river pumping sta
| ton. Both as legislator and as
councilman he has represented
section of the city which includes
the largest property interests, with
fidelity to the public and with salts
faction to the taxpayers. If a man
as evenly balanced and as conserv
himself to be can have hobbies,
he may be said to have three
municipal ownership of certain util-
tiles, the direct primary and the
initiative ana referendum.
An Active Business Man.
In Sol H. Mayer the younger ele-
ment of the democracy of the Fifth
legislative district has a candidate
of the best in the way of experience
and ability possible in any COM
munity. For II years he has been
a resident of Spokane, and has
never been idle. He is native
of Indiana, a graduate of the high
school system of the HOosier state
and a product of Notre Dame uni |
versity. His business association
since coming to Spokane has been
with the Chicago Clothing House, |
and in it Mr.. Mayer has come in |
contact with both business princi. |
pies and the demands of the people. |
Modest and unassuminS to the ay-
erage observer, Mr.. Mayer is never
theless one particularly acquainted |
with the needs of the business COM
munity and its relation to the gen.
eral enactments of the state touch |
ing commercial questions. AS pas
time he associated himself with the
Spokane Amateur Athletic Club in
the early days of its career. To
its councils he brought his own
enthusiasm and his own knowledge |
of management and executive |
methods. For seven years he was
member of the board of directors |
and was a member of the building |
committee which had charge of the |
business arrangements of the con-
struction of the handsome edifice |
of the organization. In recent |
months demands of business have |
compelled him to withdraw from
the duties which were once merely |
pastime but later developed into |
insistent calls. In touch with the
younger men of the city, always
active, and a keen observer of men
and things, Mr.. Mayer now aspires
to the legislature. He has the con-
tidence of business men and the
experience of years in commercial
activity.
IF elected to the legislature"
writes Mr.. Mayer, Il shall work for
the best interests of the people.
first, last and all the time. A legis-
lator should at all times consider
the wishes of his constituents. and
this | shall do, If chosen by the
electors OF the Fifth district to
represent them and their interests. |
l stand for a direct vote by the peo-
pie In the election OF United States |
senators, for a direct primary law,
for the establishment in action of
the initiative and referendum and
for the division of the state into
congressional districts. as the best
method of expressing the will of
the people iii the choice of their
representative in congress.