The Political Club That Stood Up to a Partisan Purge

A movement recently was organized at Seattle, composed of some of our leading men of various political opinions, under the name of the 'Young Men’s Independent Political Club.' The aim of the club was to assist in the development of the city, and strictly to prevent the intrusion of their political views into civic management. At the last municipal election the club did good work, and aided very materially in the selection of good officers. Some days since, the club learned with surprise that an effort was being made to have Chief Justice Greene removed, and some other person unknown to the club appointed in his stead. A meeting of the Executive Committee was at once called, the matter laid before them, and the following resolutions were unanimously adopted as the sense of the club: 'Whereas, we are advised that an attempt is being made and a petition being circulated for the removal from the bench of the Honorable Roger Greene, Chief Justice of the Washington Territory, before the expiration of the term for which he was appointed; and whereas, we believe him to be a learned, fearless, impartial and just judge and an honest, upright and useful citizen, entitled to the confidence and support of the people; and whereas, we believe the attempt to remove him is made unjustly and without good cause... therefore be it resolved, that we do most earnestly protest against the removal of Judge Greene from his present honorable position upon the bench of Washington Territory.' A committee of five active members was appointed to draft and circulate for signature the petition referred to in the above resolutions.