Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-01-04
MITCH Ellis CANDIDACY.

upon the votes Of the 90 assembly met
who meet at Salem January IL?
IL Is assumed he will claim bis cleo
tion, land II is a strong claim on the
ground OF experience and ability and
Republicanism. He has also a strong
claim on the grounds OF good fellow
ship. Indeed, II he had come back tO
Oregon prior 20 the June campaign
and relied upon the latter element bis
strongest card, and had made a can.
Yass before the people, without at
tempting TO renounce his views as a
binIetallist, his election would be sure
today.
His true friends regretted that he
remained away In the spring cam
paign. Itlooked as though lie waited
~ see which way the eat would
Jump before committing himself on
the money question. When he did
return to Oregon In the fall u was to
make a silver campaign on u gold
standard platform, declaring McKin-
ley stood on silver platform, etc
that the Republican party was sill
yer party, that it's policy was to re-
store silver, TO coin silver, etc, and
by such talk persuaded many into
voting the gold standard ticket and |
carrying Oregon for Mckinley. This
policy was coupled with no renuncia-
tiou OF his views OF but few nsntbs
before when he declared 20 friends
who. published II broadcast to the
world that not for forty re-electious
% the senate would he give up his
convictions on the silver question.
Now the question arises can genu-
inc bimetallsts or any sincere gold
standard man vote for Senator
Mitchell and retain their self-respeet
or the confidence OF their constitu-
entsy The people have more respect
for extreme goldtes like Dolph and
Harvey Scott because they know
where 20 flnd them, than they have
for the double dealing demagogery or
anything 10 get the office" style Of
politics. The people saylet our pub
lie men be one thing OF the other.
but let us not put a premium on de-
ceit and shufflIng 10 get our high
offices. Senator Mitchell could nave
been elected on his record as silver
man; or he could have retired with an
honorable defeat as such; or he could
have said last spring 20 the silver men
Df all parties who supported him as
such and supported candidates for
The legislature AS silver Mitchell men;
Gentlemen, l am no longer be-
lever In free coinage of silver; ! have
Ieen mistaken; am now monomet-
llllst" But he said nothing and now
he question arises how can Mitchell
- honorahly elected or how can he 30 !
nto an honorable retirements In
Inc people respect Mr., Mitchell as l
gentleman and as a man who has
ong held ofiiee for Oregon, But his l
'andidacy Is compromise of priu- {
lples, humlliatlng &c all the old polit- '
cal friends OF the senator and graf {
flying only In case OF success 70 the ]
most obnoxious class OF hangers-on !
.nowR % Oregon politics. The peo-
lie are not for sale for an once Their a
principles and devotion 10 the cause b
Z genuine blmetslllsnl is not for sale.
mis- fact precludes the possibility OF b
enator Mitchell's snccess al this time u
nd under these circumstances. lie I
ad better have staid at Washington. !
lis presence viii only embitter the c
republican factions aud his success 1
IN make Il impossible tor silver Re Q
ablicans hereafter 20 have any con-
deuce in the sincerity Of Republican
'aders GA this question.
The Mitchell Republican," elected =
, the legislature because they were J.
silver" men and becGuse OF his ''sll- :
~ record and SILVER" views. we're h
tterly opposed aud Ia some counties !
,feated because Of the "silver" issue :
ssse spring campaiga. Rut for the !
ties of ''silveFn democrats and ''sil. 4
n" Popullsis. for ''silyer" Repabli- n
n Mitchell men, the legislature y
,nld NOT have been Republican. IL "