The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-06-14

Governor Ernest Lister
Dies in Seattle Hospital
I Continued From Page One

Continued From Page One
member OF the state board ot control
for six years under Governor Rogers,
In 1910 he served on the Tacoma
charter revision commission. and IN
1919 was elected governor on the
democrats ticket. Al other officials
elected were republicans.
Again In 1915 he was reelected. nj.
tho the republicans swept the field
for other offices.
Ernest Ilstor was the ed govern.
or OF the state OF Washington and
the second 20 be reelected 60 the OF
flee.
During the war Governor Lister
made several trips TO confer with
President Wilson. and was inclined
20 take a pessimlstic attitude toward
the struggle ahead. lie wanted
Washlngton's war record to be 100
per cent American. He feared that
the lumber strike in 1917 might ham.
per spruce production. and was al.
ways glad 20 remember that those
days passed without bloodshed. Tits
health began TO break In June. 1918, |
Enjoyed Public Life
As governor. Listers friends say
he made rather slow decisions. and
then steered straight course. lie
was willing 90 stand the hrunt OF at. /
lacks on appolntees. worked hard,
and thoroughly enjoyed public life
They say he never permitted any of
his acquaintance 20 rule him or hts
office.
Critics said he was not human. and
was always dignifsed.
His close associates declare he en-.
Soyed dignity. abandoned golf 20 Keep
busy at hts desk. got recreation In
motoring. took pleasure In travelling.
got mental exercise playing bridge.
and thoroiy enjoyed children. II
youngster happened in his ONCE he
would forget dignity and chat.
Realized Ambition
One OF his ambitions was 10 nee the |
state free from bonded Indebtedness.
He realized this ambition. IL was
often remarked that he wanted TO go |
TO the United States senate. HisI
friends say he never discussed hisl
plans for the future. and no one I
knows what was In his mind.
For two sessions he fought the re I
publican legislature. Last session he I
refused to fight and openly remarked I
that he would avoid strife.
He had stanch friends and bitter |
enemies. lie insisted on pay as
you 20" program relative to roads. /
and 500 miles OF paved highway were /
built under his administration.
When political opponents criticised /
kis expense account while living in /
the executive mansion. he vetoed the l
next appropriation. moved out OF the !
mansion and lived in an apartment
Loved Home Life
His daughter. Florence. young /
woman just back from college, and a
son. John. IL. were his companions. [
He loved his home life. lie was mar |
yied TO Alma Thornton OF Tacoma
Last February high blood pres I
sure worried the governors friends. |
He had looked pale and exhausted
for days Several times during the /
early weeks OF the 1919 legislative /
session he became exhausted He |
vas finally Induced to turn over his I
duties to Acting Governor Hart. and 4
since that time has been under a ply
stcian's care.
Harris Proclamation
ASfing Gov. Louis F. Hart satur-
day issued the following prociama.
Sfcn:
with the full sense OF the great
I0sa to the people OF Washington
and tho public service. official an.
nounccmcnt Is made Of the death Of 4
Hon. Ernest Lister. governor OF the
state Of Washington. which occur.
r~d at Seattle. Saturday morning.
June ~. 1919.
Ever since his early manhood.
Gov. Lister had been an earnest
worker and a prominent factor in so.
eial religious. business and political
HE Of the state OF Washington.
From the days OF young man
hood. when admitted to the council /
Of his home city. Tacoma, thru his
work az secretary OF the board OF
audit and control. which gave him
such an insight into the working OF 4
the numerous state institutions,
down 20 the days and nights Of IN
ccasing toll as chief executive OF the I
state. gave OF his strength. ability 4
and power. loyalty extended in every 4
energy for the best interests. the up /
building and the preservation Of the \
people Of this state as he saw It. I
III
and mind, he could not measure his 4
own strength. And with the work 4
during the worldwide war and the I
troubles In various localities OF our I
own state, with the enemies OF gov.
eminent and law. he attempted TO /
carry a load that should have been 4
shared by others And one which |
was too much for even his wonder /
full strength.
about a year ago he felt the
break had come. But during all the
days and weeks and months since
tho 18th day OF February. Of this
year, he was compelled TO give up
his work and devote all his energies
to fighting his Illness.
"A noble character. a splendid Off.
ciai. courageous fighter. a thoro
Christian gentleman has yielded to
the dominion OF death.
Now, therefore. az a token OF re.
spect for his memory. /. Louis +.
Hart. acting governor OF the state
Of Washington. do hereby direct
that all state offices remain closed
on the day Of the funeral. that flags
be kept at half.mast upon all public
buildings for a full period Of 30 days.
In which and wherefore have
hereunto set my hand and caused
the seal OF the state 70 be affixed. at
Olympia, this 18th day OF June. in
the year OF our Lord 1919, and OF our
tfa mt -