Evening star., 1896-12-12
OREGON SENATORSHIP
Chances for Senator Mitchell's Reflection
Considered About Even.
Correspondence of The Evening Star.


PORTLAND, Ore, December ), 1896.
AS was expected, Senator Mitchell has
gene to Washington without any declara-
tion, publicly or otherwise, as to his posi-
tion upon the money question. The know
ing ones have said all along that this would
be the case, but there were others who con-
hdently expected some declaration from
him who seeks reelection for the third
time to the national Senate.
What effect this action, or rather nom
action, upon the part Of the Senator will
have none can tell 1t may gain him few
votes, but 1t will also cost him some; for
there are republican members of Oregon's
legislature who will vote for no man who Is
not thorough supporter of the ST. Louis
platform. These have good reason to doubt
II John II. Mitchell is the man they should
re-eiect TO seat in the upper house of
s; Soi sress; Tor does not his past record show
MIN friendly to the white metal and in
lmical to the gold standard? 1t is this pa st
record they want repudia teds and until it is
repud'ated Senator MitchelIs reelection IS
most assuredly a matter of much doubt.
1t was Saturday last that Senator
Mitchell left Portland. He was accompa-
MED by Senator Mcbride and Representa-
1--WE Hermann. Hermann, by the way, goes
tive In Congress Of the people of Oregon.
Inc trlo OF statesmen was accompanied to
the depot by quite crowd of friends. Even
at the depot 1t was hoped by, Mitchel,s
in4enus :, nus. tnat ne would make some statement
IN reply to the many demands which have
been made upon him, both public and nri
yate, and thus relieve the minds of hi.
friends and others regarding his position
upon questlons OF national import Ore
CONS senior Senator, however. simnlv
stated that he stood entirely upon his pa at
record as republican and Senator. and the
lGrther fact that he had made fifty-five
Speecnes Sp an oregon during the presidential
campaign in the interest Of MCKINLEY and
the platform adopted by the national repuh-
iican convention at st. Louis
The fact that requent demands have been
uiaoe upon Mitchell for declaration of
MS position upon the money question looks
very much as II the people of Oregon were
rot orly willing but anxious to re-elect
him. You would think M ona a, Iece M
eligible. was
The chances Of Mitchelrs recollection are
about even. He is a man who has a strone q
PERSONAL following. and has the reputatiun
he be is'eI is de,ag ,aavlag deserted friend. and if
hardest kind Of fight. At the legisla tive
election In June there was a split in The
republican party: Mitchelrs friends bolted
the regular nominees, and put a ticket In
the field. both legislative and municinai n
Ihis ticket was successful in carrying
three-fourths of the Offices voted for II
was known as the Mitchell-republican
What the republican bosses of Portland
who are fighting Mitchelrs reelection. will
De able to do with the country members re-
mains to be seen. They have entered into
the fight with the firm determination of
winning, and will leave nothing undone
which will help elect another man IN his
place. Who this other man will be re-
mains to be seen. Ex-senator Dolnh's
silence and the fact that his name is no.
wnere mentioned in connection with The
senatorshtp is suspicious. There Is NJ
doubt that the old iceberg would like to
return to the halls of Congress. but II is
the opinion of many that his political dep IN
krell was sounded two years ago. when
George Washington Mcbride was oEosen to
succeed him. -
McBride's Frank Opinions,
Senator McBride's course was In mar,a1
contrast to that Of the senior Senator from
the webfoot state. When the st. Helen.s
man was asked for declaration of nrtn.
ciples, he said:
IN my Judgment 1t win be Impossible tn
pass the Dingley bill or any other tarfff
measure in the Senate during the short
term. The Dingiey bin was only intended
as temporary measure to NEE. an exist
ing emergency. but It Is not now sa.isfac-
tory to the people az q permanent r,oIicy.
hope and believe that Congress win Se
called In extraordinary session within n
few weeks after the Inauguration or Presl-
dent Mckinley. and that fair tar,f PRO-
vidlng revenues for the current cxpcnfsGs s,f