The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-12-25
WHO TOOK THE MONEY?

TT believe it was last June that Judge Gordon told
that several contractors and corporations had sub
scrbed to campaign fund which to be used in the
interests of the candidates in eastern Washington, and
for candidates for the supreme court and state Offices
He said of this fund he wished to send $500 $3.50 to
help and others. told him did not wish to spend
any money the campaign but when he reiterated his
desire to send $780, told him to send to E. B. Palmer
of Seattle
This if he has been quoted correctly is Milo A.
Roots admission made to the bar association COM
MISSION named to probe the state supreme court scandal
involving Root then of the supreme Justices and NJ
j. Gordon, then counsel for the Great Northern.
Proceeding Root says Palmer his close associate and
former law partner incurred Indebtedness of 500
$3.50 the promise Of money from Gordon, which Root
states he did not want Root the failure OF Gordon
to send the money annoyed him to such extent that he
wrote Gordon about it. Later he learned from Gordon
that the who to furnish the money had failed to
do so and none of it forthcoming.
Root is also quoted in explanation of the Harris
against the railroad, at the time admitting that Cor
don the railroads attorney, dictated suggested mod
fcatons of one of the law points.
Heretofore the assumption has been that supreme
Judges elected to attend to law doctoring
These admissions that from the average citizen s
view open the investigation to the Legislature for general
inquiry Contractors and corporations contributing cash
to the election of certain supreme court judges is about
unhealthy state Of political affairs be imag
ned One of the principal interests of these parties in
court procedure is in connection with litigation suits
vitality interested in that matteryet the corpora
ons and contractors contribute money to elect the judges
upon whom the laborng must depend for fair trial
How many of the judges benefited by this
means?
How many legislators and other state officers men
toned?
How many judges Of superior courts and Of minor
Offices in counties to be placed in the category?
The public is at least entitled to know these who
have higher conception of the duties and dgnties of
their Offices than to accept such assistance, the sgnf
of which cannot be explained away to the private
citizen.
Such procedure must be within law and public
morals these honorable judges would submit to
it. Then why conceal it? If campaign expenditure pub
city is the proper thing in national elections it certainly
ought to be needul in state elections especially in the
selection of the judiciary.
Root says the corporations and contractors dona-
lions to be used in the election of justices of the
preme court Who these justices? All those chosen
this fall only another like Root?
Dependent upon, and willing to accept cash contrbu-
tions from corporations and contractors for election:
Is this is the status of the members of the Washing
ton state supreme court is Root trying to shield HIM
self at his colleagues expense?
The duty of determination rests heavily upon the
legislature, since Root himself has made the admission
CnT VINO TLyE All DDnDT ENA