government » clarence d. martin
Clarence D. Martin

The Martin name is synonymous with business enterprise and politics. Clarence D.'s parents, Mr. and Mrs. F.M. Martin, arrived in Washington Territory in the early 1800's from Iowa. In 1890 F.M. Martin joined W.P. Hubbard in starting the first creamery in Cheney as well as in this part of the country. He sold his share to Frank Fellows a few years later and went into the grain and milling business, the mill which was owned by the Martin family until 1942.

Clarence Daniel Martin was born in Cheney on June 29, 1886. He attended local schools and graduated from Cheney Normal in 1903. He entered the University of Washington, graduating from that institution in 1906 then joining his father in the F.M. Martin Grain and Milling Co., one of the largest business establishments in Cheney.

On July 18, 1907 Clarence Martin and Margaret Mulligan of Spokane were wed. They had three sons: William F., Clarence D. and Frank M.

Clarence D. was a born leader, ambitious and a man of vision. Politics held a special appeal for him. His first experience in the governmental process came as a city councilman. In 1928 he was elected Mayor of his home town.

During Mayor Martin's tenure in office the next 8 years, many major events took place. The city still retained management of Fish Lake Park, an easily accessible recreational spot for the majority of Cheney folks, but increasingly costly to maintain in good condition. The Mayor called a special meeting of the council on June 1, 1932 for the express purpose of discussing ways to cut costs. A committee of ladies had been appointed to make recommendations for the 1932 season with a detailed budget worked out not to exceed $300.00. Each owner of a bath house was to be charged a fee of $5.00 per month with the privilege of sharing the bath house with as many other families as the owner desired. Caretaker salary was set at $50.00 a month for a 2 1/2 month period. Beach insurance at the time was $132.00 a year.

Times were tough and getting tougher. The Great Depression was forcing stringent economy in city as well as private income. Mayor Martin appointed Alex Huse chairman of a special committee to investigate and recommend salary reductions for city officers and employees. The resulting wage scale was suggested as follows:

• City Treasurer from $15.00 to a recommended $15.00
• City Clerk from $25.00 to a recommended $22.50
• City Attorney from $25.00 to a recommended $22.50
• Day Marshal from $120.00 to a recommended $100.00
• Night Marshal from $50.00 to a recommended $65.00
• Light & Power Sup't from $200.00 to a recommended $180.00
• Fire Chief from $100.00 to a recommended $90.00
• Water Sup't from $150.00 to a recommended $135.00
• Water Collector from $15.00 to be discussed

Amended was the Day Marshal's salary raised from the proposed $100.00 to $110.00; Night Marshal lowered from recommended $65.00 to $60.00. Position of the water collector to be abolished and collections made by the City Light Dept.

Of course, water and sewer improvements were of prime concern. In May of 1934 a proposition of the Washington Emergency Relief Administration relative to a sewer system was accepted. The Mayor and City Clerk were to enter into said agreement with WERA and execute as necessary.

Plans were made to pave Second St. between D and C Streets. In November, 1935, changes were made in the method of handling costs of the project. Instead of the city paying 40% as originally planned, it was found the State would pick up $397.60 of the total price with homeowners paying $596.40 for the contract of $994.00 in full.

There were lighter sides to the city council meetings with a variety of small subjects discussed. At the April 16, 1935 meeting, the Light Dept. was instructed to begin an advertising campaign to sell electric ranges. The Fire Chief was authorized to take a number of "the boys" to the Fire College in Spokane, cost not to be more than $50.00.

Unsanitary conditions still remained in some of the downtown areas. In an effort to clean up some of the existing eyesores, old outside toilets were to be removed. Dr. Mel West, then City Health Officer, was to see the one in back of the Walter Building was disposed of immediately.

Along with his duties as Mayor, Clarence D. Martin was taking over more and more of the mill management as his father aged. When F. M. died, Clarence became president and general manager. In 1942 the Martin Flour Mill was sold to the National Biscuit Co. (Nabisco) for a reported $1 million in cash.

While still Mayor, Clarence D. Martin was elected to the office of Washington State Governor in 1932. There were then no requirements that the Chief Executive had to reside in Olympia for the full year, so Governor Martin finished out his term as Mayor by commuting from his Cheney home to Olympia during legislative sessions. Alex Huse was appointed Mayor pro tem when state business took the Governor out of town.

Known as "the people's Governor" he would not allow the legislature to go into special session, stating they must accomplish all business in the allotted time, that extended or special sessions were a shameful waste of the taxpayer's money.

He was equally proud of his small-town background and his farming interests. His own 3000 acres of farmland in the Cheney-Plaza region gave him the opportunity to know the farmers' problems first hand. At his urging, positive experiments were carried out on his land by local tenant farmers. Improved methods became an example for other farmers.

The 1930's were uneasy times at best but under his leadership both Cheney and the State economy began to improve. Early in 1936 Governor Martin stated, "Industry is on the upgrade and more men are going to work. In addition, the state-federal building is reducing unemployment to a minimum."

One of his greatest efforts was directed toward the building of Grand Coulee Dam which did more to relieve unemployment than any other federal project. Not only did it give work to men in actual construction but in other phases of services connected to this gigantic undertaking. The beginning of excavation was in 1933 with limitless tons of earth to be moved. Endless forms must be built before the pouring of concrete for the dam itself could be started. For Governor Martin the most memorable occasion of his gubernatorial career was the day he made a special trip from Olympia to Grand Coulee for the express purpose of taking part in ceremonies which signaled the start of concrete work. On December 6, 1935 he donned work clothes and rubber boots to pour the first "official" bucket of concrete. He later described it as the most thrilling event of his lifetime.

The Governor was an accomplished speaker ready to oblige whenever possible. The 1936 address he gave to the graduating class of Cheney Normal School is as appropriate today as it was then. As quoted from his speech reported in the July 3 issue of the Cheney Free Press, "Mere education isn't enough for young people. We are too much disposed to forget our State and nation were developed by pioneers. If we would do more constructive thinking, if we would become imbued with the pioneer spirit instead of sitting back and folding our arms waiting for someone to pull us out, our nation and State would advance much further."

His second term as Governor ended in 1940. He retired from politics until 1944 when the County Commissioners appointed him to fill a vacancy in the State House of Representatives from the 5th district. That ended his state career politically. In 1950 he accepted a position on the city council for two years, then retired completely.

Fraternally he was affiliated with the Masons, B&P Order of Elks, Loyal Order of Moose and Kiwanis Club. He was a regular attendant and member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

In 1951 he had a new home built on F Street where he and his third wife spent his remaining years. He died there on August 11, 1955. Although he is gone, his contributions to the City of Cheney and the State of Washington will live on indelibly written in the pages of history.

Contributed by Ellen Proctor, 1988.