Recall Falters

There is a little used piece of political machinery now present in many a state constitution. It provides that when citizens are vexed with their governor or judges or other officials, they may draw up a petition demanding a special election to oust the official in ques- tion or give him a fresh vote of confidence. As soon as a certain percentage (varying in different states between 10% and 25%) of the voters have signed the petition, the special poll is held. This is known as the recall. More than half of the states west of the Mississippi River have adopted it. Here is how it works in the burly state of Washington.

Toward the end of October, a little group of vigilant citizens drew up a petition for the recall of Gov. Roland H. Hartley. They needed 97,576 signatures in order to bring about a special election. "It will be easy," said the little group. "We will have 100,000 signatures by Dec. 1. The people of the state will leap to smite that man Hartley. He has abused the powers of his office; he has been responsible for the dismissal of that good educator, Dr. Henry Suzzallo, from the presidency of the University of Washington."

To all of which, Governor Hartley replied: "This recall movement is founded in selfishness and greed. Its real promoters are those interests which have been denied special privileges. . . ."

Dec. 1 came, and the recall petition blossomed only to the extent of some 40,000 signatures; Governor Hartley smiled. January came and less than 60,000 had scrawled their names; Governor Hartley must have laughed. Illuminating was the alibi of the recall promoters. They feel confident, they said, that the necessary 97,576 names could quickly be secured if solicitors could be employed at regular day wages or on the basis of so much per signature (like a sales troupe going from house to house, selling washing machines). But the law of Washington frowns on such practices; and the recall-promoters are reputedly law-abiding citizens.

The recall movement in Washington is quieting down. Even many friends of Dr. Suzzallo do not wish to push so drastic a measure as the recall against Governor Hartley; they can always wait until the next regular election (1928). Unless Governor Hartley gets into some new and bitter dispute with the legislature which convened last week, he seems likely to serve the remainder of his term.