The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1898-05-14
A FALSE FRIEND.

Hon. T. T. Geer, republican noml- t
nee for governor, poses as the lrleno :
of the people, as the farmer states
man." called from the plow TO the
halls of the legislature and executive l
chair. the champion of the producing
classes, etc. In short, Mr.. Geer Is |
looked upon by many farmers as their
champion, simply because ne 8
is tiller of the soil. because ne ls {
sort of an old s'hay seed" but when
we 90 into an Investigation OF MS pup l
lie career, We find that he is a 'woll
in sleeps clothing" Let US seafcn
the records OF his public life while IN
the Oregon legislature, ard see II ne
has not n most instances STOOD Win
those who seek to grind down the tell
inc masses than otherwise; II ne mas
not made a record that puts him rlght
alono, bv the side Of the Hon. Joe
Simon as a tool of corporations anu
an enemy of the masses. Examine
some of his acts while in the leglsla-
ture:
On February 10, 1881, a bill to re-
naal an act to create and establish d
hoard of railroad commissioners, nav
ing passed the senate, came up IN Cne
house. and on motion to indefinitely
nostpope the bill, the ayes and noes
being called, Mr.. Geer voted to lhoen-
nitely postpone. (See house Journal
mage S48l. Thus Mr.. Geer voted 10
perpetuate the tax-eating board, known
as the railroad commission.
On February 20. 1891, bill to re-
duce the price of swamp land to Sl an
acre, came up in the house, anu Mr.
Geer voted against it. (See house
journal, page SS2). This was vote
against giving actual settlers cheaper
land.
| On Feb. 20. 1891. bill exemptlng
the earnings of debtor within oo
davs. came up in the house after pass
ins the senate, and Mr.. Geer yoted
AGAINST it. (See journal, page 943J. A
vote to deprive women and children OF
bread.
On Feb. II, 1891, bill was before
the house to regulate excessive 1relghC
rates on the Oregon Railway " Navl-
gatisn Co.'s lines. Mr.. Geer voteo
a sainst it. (See house journal, page
1851. This was vote against lower
freight rates on the farmers prouuce
! On Feb. 8, 1898, a bill to repeal an
: act to create and establish board OF
7 railroad commissioners came up in the
f house, and Mr.. Geer voted against II
, (see house journal, page 5l5). An
l other vote in favor of taxeaters.
On February II, 1893, bill for the
: creation and construction of branct
insane asylum in Eastern Oregon wa
before the house. Mr.. Geer votet
l against the bill (see house journal
page 949.) In explanation OF this vot'
it might be we'll to state that M r. Gee
is a resident of Marion county,and al
u vote was in favor of the Salem "hog,
and against the best interests OF tn
neople of Eastern Oregon, in tnat /
wss a vote to force them to take tnel
=, insane patients to Salem.
! On February II, 1893, bill to regr
late fire insurance and fix the amour
y of cost of policies was before the house
) and Mr.. Geer voted against it tse
= house journal, page 954.) By MS vot
Mr.. Geer refused the property owne
20 protection against the excesslV
charges of insurance companle
Another vote for corporations.
In 1889 resolution was introduce
st in the house favoring the election
tv United States senators by direct Vot
i. Mr.. Geer voted against the resolution
~ fSee house journal, page l59). NJ
Of Geer recognized in this resolution
ar direct thrust at corporations, ana
,e opportunity for the people to EXPIRE
oh their choice of public officials. t
NJ served his masters.
,, In 1889 a bill was introduced in ii
or house creating a board OF rallro'
w. commissioners. Mr.. Geer voted I
~. the bill. (See house journal, pa
IN l79). This was vote to create mo
re- Offices for partisan favorites and sadd
nd more burdens of taxation upon &
a. people.
In 1889 a resolution for an amen
ar ment to the constitution was propos
he in the house, providing for registi
Ia tion law and preventing frauds at ele
~. tions. OF course Mr.. Greer vot
ve against it. (See house journal, pa
va 25O). He did not want registratl
,ol law. 1t would not serve the purpos
of his kind of politicians. 1t wou
49,, prevent the colinization and import
~ ton of voters. 1t would enforce
fl. honest vote of qualified electors on
GO and would deprive his friend, the bic
20. Joe Simon, of his power.
or. Here, voters of Oregon. is portl
of the record made in the legislatr
bv the farmer statesman" the hon'
70 Timothy Greer. the man who stands
ve your friend" the great "champlo
ON of the peoples interests, whom
ha are asked to support for governor.
"a he a true or false friend?