Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1916-04-21

newspaper political syn
dictate that the governor was recent
convert to nonpartisanship for cam
paign purposes only, but the state
house records show that in his in
address to the legislature
early in January, 1913, Governor Lis
ter said:
"In recent years there has devel-
oped a strong sentiment in favor of
the selection of county and city off,
Gals without regard to their political
affiliations. The selection of county
and city officials because of their po-
litical affiliation is of no benefit to
the taxpayer. and l believe better
management OF these Offices would re-
suit if the partisan features in their
selection were eliminated. I do not
mean by this that strong county and
city officials have not and cannot be
selected by following the partisan
method. In fact, in some instances,
q sufficient number of the voters
have disregarded party lines and
chosen the strongest men for office.
] firmly believe, however, that the
legislature would be making 1t easier
for the voters to select the best cam
didates for ofiice by enacting a nom
partisan election law covering county
and city Offices.
amendment lis Needed.
Recent elections indicate the ne
cessity of further amendment to our
primary and general election laws. I
am Of the opinion that the use Of the
straight ticket circle at the head of
the party tickets should be elimi-
mated. A system whereby voter can
place one mark at the head Of the
ballot and have that mark count az q
vote for each of long list of candi-
dates. without doubt, encourages
reckless voting and gives greater op-
portunity for fraud than If It were
necessary to place q cross opposite
the name Of each candidate
Two years later in his message to
the fourteenth legislature. Governor
Lister again referred to the subject
Of choosing oficials by merit rather
than by party afiiliation in the fol-
lowing language:
"The element Of partisanship has
been almost entirely eliminated In
the selection Of city oficers In the
different cities Of the state. Past
elections also clearly indicate that,
although candidates for county ohlces
are placed before the voters on : bal
lot under party designations. It has
not been customary to follow party
lines closely, and In but few coun-
ties do We And oflcials 70 b III Of
the same political faith. n our STATE
elections we have also seen evidences
Of party lines being broken. The
nonpartisanship sentiment Il grow
Ing rapidly. and ! believe II - the
duty Of the present legislaturs 70
pass I nonpartisan election law Gov
ering all county and city oflces."
Has Been Nonparttsan.
In reply to assertions that Gover-
nor Listers appointments are die
tated solely by party interssts, y =
stated that party lines have BEEN
followed only in those instancag
wherein 1t was necessary for the
governor to know the man and hi
qualifications. In which instances 10
naturally made his selections from
those with whom he had been most
closely associated In public Affairs
Where special qualifications had been
proved In state institutions Demo-
Gratis challenge IN instance Of strict
partisanship BY the governor. Il =
admitted that Henry Drum. warden
Of the state penitentiary. u Demo-
crat, and Republican comparison Of
the administration Of that institution
n invited.
On the other hand. when DR.. Sem
pie resigned charge Of the Nastsrn
hospital for the insane. his assistant.
DR.. Oliver. was advanced to the SUI
perintendency without question = 70
his politics. Samuel Woodruff adj
minjstration Of the school for feeble
minded was not disturbed. DR.. Kel-
Ter became the head Of the Western
washington hospital for insane and
the governor does not know what
party faith he adheres to. pr.
Doughty. assistant superintendent.
took charge Of the Northern hospital
for insane on the same basis. The
politics Of Miss Campbell. in charge