Governor Hay Forces Corruption Probe
A determined Acting Governor Hay forces the state legislature to investigate graft allegations against state officials.
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Acting Governor Hay yesterday won his fight for a legislative investigation of the insurance commissioner and secretary of state, together with other officials. Backed by the people and with a veiled threat to call an extra session of the legislature, he drove the house and senate to action and a resolution written by himself was put through ordering an investigation. The resolution was literally forced down the throats of the members by the determined attitude of Governor Hay, who sent a message demanding that the stain on the name of the state by remains of the charges against the state officials be cleaned. It was a bitter pill but the legislators had to swallow it. Senator Bell of Pierce county was more belligerent than usual, making a bitter tirade against the governor for interfering with the legislature, but when the final test came he bowed his neck like the rest and voted for the resolution.
“The resolution was literally forced down the throats of the members by the determined attitude of Governor Hay.”
This 1909 standoff mirrors contemporary tensions in Olympia, where the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches often boils over into public spats. The use of an 'investigation' to clear the state's name remains a staple of Washington political theater.
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