Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-24
A Communication.
EDITOR WASHINGTON STATE JOURNAL:

My attention has been called to an
article that appeared in the editorial
column of last week s issue of The
Ritzville Times, the local democratic
paper, in which it is alleged that have
been campaigning lover the county"
in the interests of the republican can
didate for the office of superintendent |.
at the expense of the taxpayers. The
writer, presumably not the editor, goes
on to say that superintendent, as well
as judges, should be above political
prejudice. He concludes with the i
statement that Mr.. Perkins, if elected,
will be dignified superintendent, at
least more so than the incumbent. We
are pleased to know the role Mr.. Per-
kins will assume when he gets to be
superintendent. He has assumed so
many different roles during the eleven
or more years he has lived in the North
west that it is matter of no little
interest to some who know him to have
this assurance from the Times.
wish, through the columns of the
JOURNAL, to reply to the Times attack
and to state the facts so far as they
concern myself. AS is generally known
| am required by law to visit the schools
and the pecuniary compensation, allow
ed by law, for doing so is ten cents
per mile for the distance travelled. My
expense bills are never audited by the
county but are paid out of my personal
account. The county is at no loss or
expense on account of my taking with
me on these trips any person who may
wish to 60 Occasionally have taken
my wife, sometimes it is teacher who
wishes to get out to a school in the
country and in a few instances some
friend who has an interest in partic-
ular school or community. Mr.. Truax,
the republican candidate. accompanied
me on two or three of these trips from
Ritzvile and two from Lind, four days
in all. during which time we visited
some six or more excellent schools.
He paid his own personal expense and
the county, about which the democratic
candidate is just now so greatly con-
cerned, was not put to one cent of eX-
pense on his account. l deny that |
have allowed politics, or the interests
of any candidate, to take my interest,
time or attention from my work when
visiting schools. | do not hesitate,
however, to state my preference for
the office of superintendent. believe
that Office is one of great Importance
to the people of the county. The
superintendent is in a position to i'm
press his personality and ideas on the
children who come under his supervision
and it is important that the respective
merits of the candidates for the office
receive careful consideration. .'-''''
This statement of facts is submitted
to the readers of the JOURNAL without
comment or apology. AS citizen of
Adams county and a tax payer in a
small way should have about as many
political privileges as the writer of the
editorial to which | refer. agree
that superintendent and Judges should
be above political prejudice; but why
not editors and democratic county Off
Gals and everyone who has an interest
in the welfare of the community?
My interest in the campaign is strict
ly impersonal. l have been promised
no deputyship, as the democratic can
didate would have the voters believe,
nor would | accept proposition of this
kind if made. Mr.. Truax has an
nounced in the event of his election
that he will give his personal and I'M
divided attention to his official duties.
The present superintendent is not res
ponsible for the nomination of any
republican candidate When the late
Mr.. Nixon announced his candidacy he
requested my support; but he did not
expect any assistance from me in the
event of a contest in the convention.
After Mr.. Nixon's death Mr.. Truax
asked for the nomination and / am
Informed, was made the unanimous
SiCiSS. was Ilol iIlcIlDcT Vi tlc
central committee and did not attend
any of its meetings. | did not even
speak to the chairman of the committee
regarding his candidacy. This should
be sufficient evidence that my influence
was not exerted to any great extent.
With reference to the contention that
Mr.. Perkins withdrawal from his ticket
two years ago compromises the sit
uation in any way, have this to say:
| offered Mr.. Perkins no inducements
to get off the ticket. No one else was
authorized to offer him any induce
ments. 1t was evident from his con-
versation and action that he preferred
to Give to fight another day." The
salary of the county superintendent at
that time was $3.50; now it is $1,000.
The democratic candidate has INDUCED
in personalities to an unwarranted eX-
tent. He has retracted one error only
to indulge in others equally misleading
and untrue. 1t is evident from the
character of the statements he is max
ing that he wishes to create the i'm
preston that in some way | desire to
hold on to the Office and by stirring up|