TOLD by the PIONEERS - Washington Secretary of State
TOLD by the PIONEERS - Washington Secretary of State
TOLD by the PIONEERS - Washington Secretary of State
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Told <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pioneers<br />
PHILLIP TALBOT<br />
Clallam County<br />
.My fa<strong>the</strong>r, having been educated at Oxford, England, naturally<br />
spoke and wrote <strong>the</strong> language <strong>of</strong> England better than <strong>the</strong> average<br />
settler here, and he gave his children a better education than we could<br />
ever haye received in <strong>the</strong> early day schools <strong>of</strong> this district. We heard<br />
many tales <strong>of</strong> his war days in South Africa and <strong>of</strong> his life in England.<br />
Although my fa<strong>the</strong>r gave us boys an education at home, that does<br />
not mean that we were allowed to neglect going to <strong>the</strong> district school<br />
after its establishment. From <strong>the</strong> old home place out Ozette way, I<br />
had to ride my pony five miles to school, and I early became a pretty<br />
good horseman. I had to be, in fact, because many a time I'd encounter<br />
a fallen tree on <strong>the</strong> trail and <strong>the</strong> horse would have to jump<br />
over it. The first time I struck one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se, I dismounted and coaxed<br />
my horse to jump over after I had climbed it. I told fa<strong>the</strong>r about<br />
this when I got home that night, and he said, "Imagine <strong>the</strong> son <strong>of</strong> an<br />
Englishman especially an English cavalryman leading his horse<br />
over a- three-foot obstacle!"<br />
HENRY M. McBRIDE<br />
Former Governor <strong>of</strong> lVashington<br />
King County<br />
I taught in Oak Harbor and in LaConnor three months in <strong>the</strong> first<br />
and eight months in <strong>the</strong> second place, while studying law and preparing<br />
for entry to <strong>the</strong> oar. I received about $50 or $60 a month.<br />
In my first message to <strong>the</strong> legislature, meeting in January, 1903, I<br />
made this statement:<br />
"In passing, permit me <strong>the</strong> suggestion that our educational institutions<br />
should be kept entirely free from politics, or political influence <strong>of</strong><br />
any kind.<br />
Appropriations for <strong>the</strong>ir support should not be made to hinge upon<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r legislation. In this matter but two considerations should govern<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir actual needs, and <strong>the</strong> ability <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> state to meet those<br />
needs. I have not caused <strong>the</strong> removal <strong>of</strong> anv member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> board <strong>of</strong><br />
•<br />
regents, or board <strong>of</strong> trustees <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se institutions, nor have I appointed<br />
an~- such member for political reasons, nor shall I do so. And<br />
whateyer contests may face us during this session, I indulge <strong>the</strong> hope<br />
that no one <strong>of</strong> our educational institutions may be made <strong>the</strong> football<br />
<strong>of</strong> contending forces, or <strong>of</strong> aspirants for place."<br />
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