The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-10-28
TRIES TO KILL PREMIER HUGHES
THE G0VERNORSHIP

THE STAR has no choice between Gov. Err
nest Lister democrat and former Gov
Henry Mcbride, republican
FROM the large list OF guhernatorial aSpirants
preceding the primary election. The Star be-
heveS the best two men in the field were nom-
mated Each has good qualities; each has some
defects which do not permit unqualified in
dorSement.
Gov. Lister had the opportunity, which rarev
comes to public men, To become the idol OF the
state. He did not avail himself of that oppor
tunity His administration is marked by moth
ing decidedly bad. Nor yet has he impressed
the state with any great effort for good He
has been negatively satisfactory
lie went into office with the good will of the
entire state. The peculiar circumstance which
made possible his election in 1912 left no en-
mites against him. He could have been an
other John Johnson of Minnesota or a Bob
.LaFollette, or a Woodrow Wilson of New Jer
Sey or Hiram johnson of California He did
not rise to his opportunity.
Gov. Mcbride was positive governor. lie fought
real battles and sacrificed his political fortune when
he defied the railroad bosses OF the state in his term
of 1901 to 1905. 1t is really remarkable that there
IS not today OF his administration that can
be honestly criticised. Mcbride fought for tho rail-
road commission, anti-pass legislation. and a more
equitable corporation tax.
Mcbride. however. has not shown tho same indie
pendenee IN the present campaign. lie has remained
silent on ISSUES OF Importance To the people lie has
apparently allowed the state central committee TO
gag him. Tho he j. known 10 be personally against
at the referendum measures ii not all he
unlike SEN Poindexter, has lacked the independence
to defy the state committee and express his real
sentiments.
Gov. Lister is today campaigning against all the
referendum measures. It must be remembered. tho.
that II Gov. Lister who signed his and
II a
only two weeks before election announced he had
changed his mind on them.
Gov. Listers administration OF the state nsttu-
tions, such the peniten,iary and the various
asyums. has been improvement the previous
administrations. Humanity has been better OH
served.
Yet it Gov. Lister who signed the amended
mothers pension bill passed by the last legisla
ture. which crippled good measure. He took
the stump two years ago against the first aid
initiative BILL supported by labor, and. tho prom
isng equitable BILL unable to secure it in
the legislature.
Gov. Lister was not as fortunate as he might have
been in the selection OF his industrial insurance
missoners. Yet it is unfair to charge the Gillies
cmbezzemeut TO the Lister administration. Giliics
republican appointee. and it republican
industrial insurance commission which formulated the
system that permitted the lootng Of the state fund.
1t was Gov. Lister who signed the Reniek BILL a
measure admittedly wrong in economies and
public finances. lie signed it at the time that
he approved directly opposite in it's terms
applied the state treasury One prevented cities
from doing what the state was permitted TO do.
On the other hand, Gov. Lister took very
decided stand for nonpartsanship. Gov. Mcbride
has not committed himself this important
question.
The "dry" and wet" question ought not TO be an
issue in the gubernatorial
Gov Lister failed to lend the Of prohibit
ton his affirmative support in 1914 Gov. Nc
Bride equally remss.