The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1896-03-07
POLITICAL GOSSIP.
Simon Said to be Gathering Forces About
Him

Him.
There may or may not be foundation
for the following, which appeared in
the East Oregonian of last Saturday,
though we give it for what it is worth:
Sheriff Sears, of Multnomah county,
has deserted the Frank standard in
Portland and formed an alliance with
Joseph Simon. This is one of the most
significant facts of the campaign, and
is taken as an Indication that Simon's 8
strength has been augmented some
what by his recent manipulation. The
announcement of Sheriff Sears apost-
asy from the faction which to large
extent made him what he is politically
has attracted general attention from
those persons all over the state who
are interested in politics, and there
has been careful sizing up of the sit
uation. There is no doubt that recent
moves on the checkerboard of Oregon
politics have to a very large extent de-
termined the political future of num-
ber of men and practically decide in
advance how certain issues are going.
The republican party of Oregon is
pretty thoroughly under boss rule, and
everyone, of course, recognizes the al
most absolute power of Joseph Simon,
at least as having been welded during
past years. up to the meeting of the
last legislature. When the legislative
and senatorial fight came on in 1895,
the currents of power ran not always
as 10 Simon would direct them, and,
as the gamins say, she was trowed
down and stepped on" There is no
doubt that the opposition sort of para
lized Jo Simon, but he is very vigor-
Gus fellow, and has great recuperative
powers. He never gave up, but the
last ballot at Salem had no sooner been
cast in 1895, but he began to reorgan-
ize his political forces and train his
guns on the enemy-the opposition
which had for time been successful.
Joseph Simon is going to win in the
coming republican state convention
and herepublican party will be in his
power as though thing of his own
creation. He has fight on in Multi
nomah county, to defeat him in his
own stronghold, all the power of the
opposition in the state is concentrated.
But Mr.. Simon's late moves has given
him the advantage. Sheriff Sears has
political influence, and he now fights
under the Simon banner. The A. P.
A. were part of the opposition, but
Mr.. Simon has now allied them to
himself and they will add considerable
strength to the Simon cause. These
two accessions of power will operate
throughout the campaign to Mr., Si-
mons advantage and may insure him
a victory
Significant, indeed, is the A. P. A.
move of Mr.. Simon, for 1t effects the
politics of the entire second congress
sional district in a direct manner. The
alliance with the A. P. A. is one local
to Portland, but one of the most prom
inent leaders in the A. P. A. in Port
land is Judge Caples, once before
congressman from Oregon, and now
again aspiring for that honor. If Mr..
Simon has an understanding with the
A. P. A., and that is now an open
secret, how then could he turn down
Judge Caples as congressional aspir-
ant? This question has been asked all
over Oregon, and the almost universal
answer will be that Mr.. Simon cannot
deny Judge Caples his ambition, and
that therefore if Mr.. Simon wins in
Portland and Multnomah county, he
will be compelled to throw his strength
to Judge Caples for congress. This is
a situation which possesses a vast
amount of interest for the people of
the state generally, for. whatever may
be said of Jo Simon as political boss
and manipulation. he has always kept
his personal promises and supports
whom he says he will.