The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1912-11-29
PAST ADMINISTRATIONS.

This or any other state of the Union
never enjoyed two cleaner, ADLER or
more progressive administrations than
that of Governor Mead and this of
Governor Hay. During Governor Mead 8
term of office the chaotic condition of
the states finances were systemized,
useless funds were consolidated and
moneys lying in banks dormant and
unproductive were invested in sound
securities and made to earn interest
for the state instead of private indi-
viduals and concerns as heretofore.
The railroad influences were driven
out of politics through the passage of
the anti-pass bill and the creation of
the railroad commission. The tax
commission was also created and it
has since forced many big interests
to pay their just proportion of taxes
by uncovering values that it had been
easy to conceal from assessors. The
direct primary law was passed, the
several institutions of the state were
freed from political manipulation that
had marked their conduct under the
Rogers and Mcbride administrations
and they were built up and improved
to meet the needs imposed upon them
by reason of the growth of the state
The penal system of the state was i'm
proved, an indeterminate sentence law
enacted and the parole system placed
on a more scientific basis
During the present administration
the state institutions have been kept
out of politics and have been conduct
ed on high plane of efficiency. The
national guard has been reorganized
and perfected to such an extent that
it has won special commentator from
the federal army officers. No sweep
ing changes have been made in the ap-
pointive positions. No attempt has
been made to build up a personal po-
litical machine, only such appoint
ments have been made as efficiency
and the good of the service demanded
The states general fund indebtedness
of $1,2O0,0OO has been wiped out. The
indirect revenues have been largely
increased; corruption has been prose-
cuted wherever 1t has been found; re.
lentless war has been waged against
the evil forces in public life, and many
laws of social betterment have been
secured, such as the eight hour law
for women workers, the eight hour
law for miners underground. the
workmen's compensation law, the To-
cal option law and the anti-race
track gambling law. The railroad
commission has been enlarged into q
public service commission and the in
terests of all the people needed and
protected at all times.
Throughout both these administra-
tons the big interests and crooked
politicians have found neither COM
fort nor sympathy. In fact they have
been driven from their places Of van
tage and in revenge they worked re-
lentlessly to compass the defeat OF
both men. In the campaign four years
ago the privileged parasites that had
been separated from the public crib
Joined with the organized liquor fore
es and the machine politicians to COM
pass the defeat of Governor Mead
which they accomplished in the pri-
maries. This year the same forces
combined with the grafters who had
been driven from Office by the action
of Governor Hay, with certain big in.
terests that have all along been op-
posed to progressive legislation and
with certain road material concerns
who hope to profit If they can control
the highway department., worked to-
gether to insure the election of any
body other than Governor Hay. They
donated large sums of money of their
own and received aid from Wall street
to the extent at least of lying article
published in the Wall Street Journal
purporting to be criticism of the f.
nancial conduct of the state govern
ment of Washington. jr.