A Political Scandal over Bank Receiverships
Local Democrats accuse a Comptroller of corruption after he ignores their requests for patronage appointments in the wake of bank failures.
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.
Lionel Stagge secured the promise of Comptroller Eckels to make him a bank examiner after writing flatteringly of Eckels in his magazine. The understanding was that Stagge was to continue the publication of his magazine, which he did. In due time, he was made a bank receiver. About this time, Eckels was bringing himself into disfavor by appointing Republicans as receivers of broken Washington banks. Protests were sent by Democratic committee managers, but no satisfaction was obtained. Finally, a hint giving the key to Stagge's record was dropped, and the Democratic 'soreheads' seized upon it as an opportunity to smirch Comptroller Eckels.
“Finally a hint giving the key to Stagge's record was dropped here, and the Democratic soreheads seized upon it as an opportunity to smirch Comptroller Eckels.”
Political patronage, particularly in financial appointments, was a flashpoint in the 1890s. The 'sorehead' culture of the Tillicum Club reflects the fierce partisan struggles over federal jobs that defined civic life in Washington Territory's successor state.
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