The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1882-04-14
THE DEMOCRATIC STA TIE CONVEN-
TION.

The nominations made by the Democratic
State Convention indicate very closely to
which faction of the party the large major
ity of the delegates were inclined. Although
Governor Thayer's administration has been
quite creditable to the State and, so far as
known, it has been conducted with economy
and with due regard to the best interests
of the State, yet he stood no chance what
ever for a renomination-neith did any
other member of the Thayer, Bush and
Nesmith branch of the party stand ghost
of a chance for the nomination.
The claims of members of this branch OF
the party were thrust aside, and the Rev.
Joseph S. Smith, of Portland, was noml-
mated for Governor. The Reverend Smith
was once elected to Congress from this
State. Whether at that time he possessed
any capabilities to serve the state will prob
ably never be positively known, as he dfd
not permit them to appear in any manner
worth speaking of-except to draw and IRE
ceipt for his monthly pay" His career as
Congressman has certainly sunk into obiiv-
ion. With what consistency his nomination
can be reconciled by the claims of portions
of the Democratic press of the State to the
effect that their party is true anti-monop-
DIV party, when in fact the Reverend Smith
during his long career in Oregon has not
been lacking in his efforts to sustain and
promote those undertakings which were the
monopolies of the time. Unlike most
preachers, his stepping aside to dabble in
such undertakings brought to him large Pc
cuniary gains, and we therefore hnd MIN
very wealthy, which is perhaps another I'M
portant reason which caused the convention
to lean so strongly toward him, for 1t is
pretty generally conceded that the result OF
the raid made by the Grover branch OF their
party on the State left most of the mem
bers of that element very short in stamps,
having exhausted their supply and almost
brought the State to bankruptcy in order to
sustain Mr.. Grover and his attendants until
he could be elected to the United States
Senate.
So the Rev. Smith who desires to be Gov
ernor will have an opportunity to furnish
the stamps, necessary for the political
tragedy.
William d. Fenton, the Democratic NOM
inee for Congress, is quite young man,
from Yamhill county, a lawyer of four or
five years practice, and possesses no marked
qualifications for the position other t..-1 IN
Mr., Growers time he was certainly strong
adherent.
The nominee for secretary of state,
Mr.. Jas. K. Wetherford,- was also no
doubt strong co-worker in the Grover
wing of his party he is also an attorney
of Linn county of six or seven years prac-
tice. and possesses no qualifications more
appropriate tor secretary of state than
thousands of other persons who.have never
thought of receiving nomination.
Hyman Abraham, of Douglas, would
likely make fair treasurer if he could
secure his election, wi ich he cannot do.
w. L. Worthington, of Wasco, the
nominee for superintendent of public in
struction, SO far as we have been able to
learn, is practically unknown outside of his
own locality and of his qualifications and
political past we are unable to speak.
Ed. Shattuck,. their nominee for judge,
one would think has little OF no preferen, e
for political parties. He was. elected su-
rreme Judge twice on the Republican tick OF.
At one time he caught the Independent
fever anil now we find him the nominee on
the Democratic ticket. His qualifications
for the supreme bench are good. in fact
better than the Convention could have
found strictly within their own party. II
elected, he will make good judge.
The chances however in favor of electin2
any Of these candidates are so very slight
that further Comment becomes useless