The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1896-05-30
THE MORE IMPORTANT ISSUE

Both the money question and the
tariff are important issues in the COM
ing election; but there is question
vastly more important to every voter
in Eastern Oregon than either OF
these. 1t is the question of removing
distractions to the navigation of the
Columbia river.
Whether the United States shall
adopt the free and unlimited coinage
of silver, or whether it will remain on
gold basis, will by settled by congress
as body, not by an individual mem
Der. Whether the high protective
policy of Mckinley is to be re-enacted,
or whether a mean between that and
the present tariff law, such as will pro-
duce revenue and incidentally extend
equitable protection to various indus
tries, Is not question for one member
OF congress to determine, but will be
decided by a majority OF both houses.
But the question, of whether or not
the Instructions to navigation of the
Columbia river be removed, must be
determined by the representative of
the second congressional district.
That is, upon his activity and labors
will depend the final consummation of
this work. 1t will devolve upon his
individual efforts to see that proper
appropriations are made for this pur-
pose, and the contracts are drawn for
prosecuting the work so that they will
be binding and can be enforced. This
is and should be the issue with every
voter east of the Cascade mountains.
tits of more Importance than all others.
This being the paramount issue,
who then of the different candidates in
this district is best able to secure the
end desired-an open river from Lewis
ton to the Pacific ocean? That it is
an Eastern Oregon man is beyond
question, for we can expect little or
no help from one who is identified
with Western Oregon and especially
with Portland. Three of the candi-
dates, Northup, Quinn and, ,McKercher,
are Portlanders, and should either of
them be elected, Eastern Oregon can
expect little aid from them, therefore
the vote of Eastern Oregon, when
taking the open-river question into
consideration ought to go to one of
the candidates from this section, either
Mr.. Ellis or Judge Bennett.
The former has had occasion, during
his four years Of service in congress,
to display his capability, and his eff
cheney and faithfnlness as an advocate
of an open river Is shown by the fact
that, although over 100000 have
been expended at the Cascades, the
locks at that place remain closed. Be
it said to Mr.. Ellis credit, he has
been active in securing >appropria-
tions for the locks, but he has been
negligent in seeing that
the money appropriated was expended
in prosecuting the work for which it
was intended. Had he been otherwise
the locks would today be opened.
Then Eastern Oregon must look TO
in congress who is more
active. one who will not only labor for
appropriations, but who will see to it
that the appropriations are judiciously
and that for every dollar
there is corresponding work
performed. Judge Bennett, both by
his private and public acts, has proven
himself happily adapted for the posi-
lion. He is an indefatigable worker,
has ability to make his power felt, and
4 elected will create such a stir in
and before the department.,
hat if there is q possibility Of the river
sver being opened it will be done
through his effosts.