The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-12
OREGoN's GRAND OLD MAN.

Oregon Republican politics has been un-
usually entertaining during the past few
weeks. II has never been Of Q very
high order. Ever since the Hayes-Tilden
contest. Eastern states have looked upon
Oregon ~ q hne field for manspulators,
where there might always be found good
openings for cheap fellows who were will
ing to get in and rustic for the gang And
yet the state has had good men to represent
rarely attained place without opposition.
No matter what . PERSONS ability and At
tafnments may have been. unless he has
allied himself with those on the inside, too
often there has been defeat to face IN
spite Of any acknowledged merit or worth
is due to the fact that, the politics Of Ore
gon has largely conferred In Portland, tho
only city Of any considerable size in the
state. This has made state politics there
partake Of the characteristics OF munich
pal poiitica which in too many American
cities IL 20 often tainted with fraud. Job
berry and corruption
And yet sometimes a figure towers above
all the strife and meanness Of q political
brawi-a figure to which all look with re-
spect. It IL indeed satisfying to see how at
times q really great man can be appreci-
ated even by angered. discordant. fighting
elements. II shows what respect Is when
an individual can throw oil upon the trou-
bled waters and is listened to because every
one has faith In his integrity. Oregon has
one man who can do this, and has always
done IL. His name Is George H. Williams.
In all the recent turmoil and amidst all
the bitter internal contentious within the
lines Of the party in Oregon. 1t was re-
markable how the heated. striving factions
were willing to listen TO the sober words
Of wisdom Of Judge Williams. and with
what easy acquiescence the great major
ity were willing to leave the settlement Of
disputed questions to his good Judgment
But. after all. It should cause no
surprise Judge williams opinions carry
great weight because he is a great man
one Of the few great men on the Pacific
coast. His knowledge has grown with his
years: his experience has been wide. and he
has learned by It: he has held high posi-
tions. and at a time when Il meant for him
great responsibilities: he has filled places
OF trust and has always been found faith
full TO those trusts: learned in the law. he
has worked as a practitioner for so many
years that his mind Is alert. active and with
4 comprehensive grasp of the Affairs OF
men such as few can ever hope to possess.
Moreover, In his moral FIBER Judge Will
Jams is sound. and always has been. Ore
gon people believe in him because he be-
iieves in honesty; they favor him because
he favors justice; they respect him because
he respects fair dealing; they trust him
because he trusts 10 the right winning.
There are TOO few men Of this character
in the world. and Oregon reflects credit
upon herself In appreciating such one as
George ii. Williams. He is the sort OF ci,i-
zen the state should honor. What q power
such as he would be In tho United States
senate. not only as q representative OF his
own state, but a. q sample OF the style Of
man the Pacific coast believes in, Men OF
his learning. his fine character, his plain
ways. rugged honesty and common sense
are needed. Oregon needs them. Washing
ton needs them. the whole country needs
them