Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1907-01-31
Office OF Land Commissioner
TO Be INVESTIGATED.
Primary Election Law WOrryina Some
Members. Would Build Residence
for the Governor. Absence of
lobbyists Noticeable. a Number
of Gubernat0riaI Aspirants.
Especial to the HERALD.1

Especial to the HERALD
OLYMPIA, Jan. 29.-Land Commission
er Ross wants to be investigated. By
singular coincidence the legislature de-
sires to investigate him. To q friendly
private tip is said to be due the fact that
the yearnings OF Mr.. Ross were made
puolic just before the legislative inten.
ton became known. The com missioner
is willing to admit that the administra-
ton OF Bob Bridges, now ancient history,
NAV not have been without fault, but is
willing. nay anxious to prove that bis
own has been all wool and yard wide.
But Ross will not be the "cynosure OF
all eyes" whatever that may be, for the
spirit Of investigation is rampant. not to
say rampageous, and voluntarily and
otherwise, other departments will have
to give up information to the inquiring
Soons OF the class of 'O7.
So far from taking orders from state
officials, this most insurgent Of all legis.
latures shows a disposition to 60 cunning
for the whole bunch, from governor
down, to the least appointee, and the
windows Of the stone building in Capitol
Square are filled with soulful eyes turned
longlngly to the distant tall timber
whose shadow has 90 lately swallowed
the form OF ex.Railroad Commissioner
McN1illin.
1t was supposed to be on the house
program that Falconer was to be speaker
and Reid boss. Falconer got the goods
all right, but Reid seems to be having
trouble galore in holding his job. To
make bad matter worse it was Reid's
own delegation &hat& &sited him 70 come
down of the perch. He descended none
the less speedily because the attitude Of
the gentlemen who issued The Chester.
fieldian invitation indicated the intention
of knocking him off with club in the
event of its refusal.
Far be it from me to insinuate an edi-
torial opinion into what is Gossip" of
the lightest view. Yet the fact that
Mead's extremely laudable ambition to
succeed himself is not taken very serious.
ly is shown by the number and character
of the aspirants for his shoes. Every
morning the clerks Of the senate and
house read over the list. They apply the
term "roll call" to the performance, but
the self-conscious manner in which nine
tenths Of the members, or thereabouts,
answer show that their thoughts are
busy with another call. If an occasional
member is unfamiliar with the siren
monotone OF the gubernatorial insect
there is enough outside timber to make
up the deficiency.
The perennial bill for residence for
the governor has mads its appearance.
Whether the present salary would enable
His Excellency to live in $35, 900 house
even rent free should enter into the con-
sideration Of the measure.
The members, being all more or lees
politicians, are not particularly impressed
with the direct primary bill. On the
other hand the support back of it indi-
Gates that it is "loaded" and it looks like
it was damned politically if 1 do and
damned (also politically il I don't"
proposition.
From present appearances the anti
lobby bill OF Senator Plair, OF San Juan
county, is superfuity, for the third
house is, so fai, conspicuous by it's alb
sence. With the exception of the liqnor
interests. which have apparent reason
for alarm, the representation is wanting,
Whether it is a cause or an effect of the
absence Of the lobby it is also noticeable
that the "cinch" bill isn't nearly 90
much in evidence as OF yore.
The bill of Rice, of Thurston, to put
the financial management of the state
educational institutions in the hands of
the board of audit and control has az
one OF its objects the discontinuance OF
the biennial spectacle of professors and
regents log-rolling for appropriations for
their respective concerns.
The bill to substitute electrocution for
hanging died an early death. Murderers
are content to allow the insanity dodge
to take the place OF either.