The Art of the Legislative Dodge
A blistering political attack on a gubernatorial candidate accused of cowardice and 'dodging' his duties in the state house.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Mr. Snively's record during the single term in which he served as a member of the legislature of the state of Washington is not such as to induce the opinion that he is a safe man for governor. The journal of the house of representatives shows that he was an equivocator and a dodger, always dreading to assume responsibility, and always slipping from his seat into the lobby when the roll was about to be called on any measure of importance. When the roll was called on the revenue bill, Mr. Snively did not vote, although the record shows he was present just moments before. He had not the moral courage to place himself on record either for or against that bill. The same is true of the fisheries bill which has aroused much complaint among the fishermen of Puget sound. Mr. Snively did not vote against that bill, although he was present at roll call on the day on which it passed the house. He dodged into the lobby to save himself. He did not have the moral courage to express his convictions.
“He was an equivocator and a dodger, always dreading to assume responsibility, and always slipping from his seat into the lobby.”
This article reflects the fierce partisan nature of Washington politics during the late 19th century, when newspapers served as the primary, often vicious, organs of political parties. Calling out elected officials for 'dodging' votes remains a hallmark of political accountability reporting today.
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