The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-05-17
ABOUT THOSE LOCKS.

The effort Of the Republican press to
make it appear that the measure which
passed the last Legislature, authofiz-
ing the construction of Canal and
Locks at the Falls Of the Willamette
is ''swindle;" has proven a most dis
astrous failure. 1t is remarkable and
Isignlficant that every paper which
makes this charge is strongly IL the
interest OF our Railroad KING. Bat
this matter was completely pot to
rest, on Thursday night last. by Hon.
j. w. Whalley. Mr.. WbalIey WAS a
representative in the last Legislature,
from MultDomab county, elected by
Republicans, is himself Republican,
and is gentleman OF respectable
standing ip this com mupity, a lawyer
in good practice. At a meeting of
the Republican Campaign Club" Of
this city, on that evening, Mr. Whallcy
was one OF the speakers, and among
other points in his speech be made
the following. We extract from a
report OF the speech:
Mr.. Wiiailey referred to the Lock
bill, and said that when it passed the
Legislature he was member of that
body and voted for the measure, and
he approved the act to-day. With a
railroad OH either side of the river and
the navigation OF the willamette un-
der the control of one man, this was a
measure that would stand as barrier
against the oppression OF monopoIies,
and would furnish the pepoIe free
navigation Of The Willamette. The
protection OF the interests OF the peo-
pie was to him far more important
Than the protection OF the interests of
capital. He would stand no dictation
at The polls. The fight for the rights
OF the people had been inaugnrated.
and would be waged on TO victory
Mr.. Whaiiey, during his remarks, was
frequently appiauded.
1t viii be seen, from this extract,
that there are some Republicans in
the community who are unwilling To
ratify the contract by which the party
was sold out, at the late Republican
State Convention, TO the Railroad
King. Such men, Republicans though
they are, are still unwilling to be par
ties TO so Infamous bargain, b.
which it is sought to befray the peo-
/ pie of Oregon Nor will they lend
themselves 10 the false and treacher-
! Gus cry, got up by the. henchmen OF
the King, that the law authorizing the
| construction of the Locks, was a
''swindle." They know better, and
they are candid enough to speak the
truth. regardless OF the false aud de-
lusiye party clap.trap- We can re.
spect such men, even though we nay
/ differ from them on other political
matters. They know, too, that the
position in which their party in this
state is placed, by the action of Ger.
tain trcacherous leaders, in conspiring
with the Railroad King. is false one,
as regards the great and paramount
commercial interests OF the people -
and they would flin get the party on,
OF this false position. But the diff
cultyAjs, they are so surrounded by
the ineshes OF party discipline and
tricaery, and the tremendous money
power OF the King. that they find i,
10 the last degree difficult to get out.
The party rs how constituted in this
State. belongs 10 the Railroad King
He controls its POLICY and directs its
movements. Tie party press is his
so completely his that 1t dare not say
. word IN opposition to bis will or in
Il single sentence question his policy
or his supreme authority Is this not
so? Look around you and ask your
self the qnesiion. Is there Repabli.
can paper in the State that will esponse
the cause OF the people as agains,
the grinding exactions and imperious
will ofthe great Railroad Monopolist.
Not one. How then are those Re-
publicans, who would still preserve
our commercial liberties, to strike the
tetters from the party? They cam OF
do it through the action of the party
or the press. 1t must, then, be left to
their Judgments TO find the way out
from such a degrading yassalage. Itis
not Cor us TO advise them.-Herald.