The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1916-09-08
rna Man of the People. Whose Public
Record and Private Life Is Above
and Beyond Reproach.
From the Toppinish Review

From the Toppinish Review
George A. Lee, republican candidate
,or governor, visited Toppinish for
Tow hours on last Friday in the inter-
ests of his candidacy. Mr.. Lee was for
usrly deputy prosecuting attorney of
cnokane county and later assistant
attorney general, chairman of the in
austrial insurance commission and
chairman of the public service commits
aim. He has lived in Spokane, Olympia
and Seattle and such residencey has
giyen to his candidacy a state wide
character and significance not possess
ed by any other candidate. Mr.. Lee has
conducted an active and aggressive
sneaking campaign and has covered
the entire state. A few weeks ago he
addressed large republican banquet
and gathering in Toppenish and since
that time has delivered over two hun
bred addresses in the state. In all Sec
tions of the state he is universally
considered as one of the strongest con-
tenders for the nomination. After WIS.,
itipg the cities of the valley he left for
Seattle and King county and will spend
the last two weeks of the campaign
there. Seattle along will have approx
imately 100000 registered voters and
Il is generally conceded that Lee will
leave King county with at least fifty
per cent of that vote. With his strength
all over the state this should practical
" assure him the nomination. While
in the city, Mr.. Lee said:
Il am entering the final stretch of
the campaign confident of success at
the primaries. have conducted a clean
and honorable contest, addressing my
self to issues, measures and principles
and not personalities or candidates.. l
was the first candidate for governor
to declare rigid and drastic enforce
ment Of the prohibition law. / was the
first candidate to unhesitatingly de-
clare that any attempt by the governor
or legislature to amend, modify or
repeal that law would be utterly in
defensible. / was the first candidate to
declare from the platform that the day
Of the open saloon in this state was
gone and gone forever. | am glad to
know that the other candidates have
since indorsed and adopted that stand.
! am cOntending in this campaign for a
simplified state government. We have
too many boards, departments and
commissions. AS a result we have an
outrageous high and confiscatory tax
rate. am in favor of consolidation OF
many of our boards and commissions,
a simplification and revision of our
ancient and obsolete tax laws and the
adoption Of legislative and executive
policies that will develop our resources
and expand our agricultural and horti-
cultural possibilities.
Il am standing squarely upon my
record in high and responsible public
office in this state. That service con-
sttutes some assurance of what may
be expected of and from me in this high
position. | have my life before me and
not behind me and am not, like some,
attempting to resurrect the political
ghost of quarter of century ago.
i am proud of the constructive work
that has been accomplished on the
Industrial Insurance Commission and
Public Service Commission while l was
chairman and am glad to rely upon that
record In this campaign. That record
mas not been attacked nor assailed in
any particular. l do not look upon the
governors office as a social asset. l
10 not consider it as an agency by
winch to construct political machine.
Inc questions and problems confront
ing the governor and legislature for
the next four years will be of vital i'm
portance to the people Of this state and
uemand the earnest, thoughtful and
undivided energies and abilities of the
men occupying those positions. A pub
Tic office is public trust. have al
avs acter upon that theory and If elect
gu snail so continue. | appreciate the
splendid support that has been offered
-N"i INC uCCtnL anu uCpChudOiS
men and women of this state. recall
win pleasure the first reception that |
received in Toppinish a few weeks ago
anu want to take this opportunity to
.nahk the people of this community
ior the confidence they have expressed
III may candidacy. am glad upon this
nnal visit to Toppinish and the Yakima
valley to again briefly restate my atti-
'uae and views upon some of the great
questions of the hour, moral and econ
omic in character.
IL nominated and elected, as / ex-
pect TO be, shall qualify as governor
anpfomised, unpledged and unfettered,
,,ee TO give this state a clean, decent,
u'sh-grade and constructive admins
uatlon; an administration that will
spell law enforcement, good schools,