A Scandal in Olympia
As political corruption scandals rock Washington State, local labor advocates argue that an apathetic electorate is just as guilty as the corrupt politicians.
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The shocking condition of affairs in the government of the state is almost the only topic of the hour. Accusations fly so thick and fast that one becomes bewildered by the charges and countercharges. That there has been downright fraud in some instances and dereliction in duty in others becomes more and more painfully apparent. One man in a lonely cell faces trial for embezzlement of the state's funds. Another, old and gray, with a life-long record of party fealty, is forced to resign from his office. Gov. Hay threatens to call a special session of the legislature to impeach John H. Schively. The trouble is that we never take the trouble to find out a man's qualifications or moral fitness for office. If he happens to be a candidate on our party ticket, we take him on blind faith. An aroused public conscience will bring about honesty in public office quicker than any commission.
“Any candidate for office from wreckmaster to governor who has left no record behind him... is as rare as a white blackbird.”
The 1909 graft scandals involving state officials reflect a perennial civic struggle in Washington, mirroring the ongoing tension between party loyalty and accountability that continues to define state politics.
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