The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-12
POLITICS IN OREGON.

comp lea Ions Of Oregon politics. I, VIII
/ DOUBT ess lead TO the application CT heavy
pressure on Gov. Lord 10 call an extra
session OK the legislature for the purpose
OF niains the vacancy in the delegation
caused by the enforced retirement OF SEN
etor Mitchell, March & 1897. when his
term OF effsce expired. fnasmgch as con-
fening the present legislature would in
az probability mean the election OF Mr..
Mitchell. The governor. who Is opposed 10
nm, ~il not be likely 20 yield 20 tha
demand Of The Mitchell men. He is
strongly fortified in this position by The
satisfactory conduct Of the states busl-
ness during the past year. without the
usual appropriations by the legislature.
which met. but failed to organize and
pass the customary bills.
A nasty sketch Of Oregon politics will
show most unusual situation The Re
publican party In Multnomah county is
oadiy spit, and the divisions in Portland
more or less affect the entire state. The
Popolists are likewise cut into Pennoyer
and ansi-Pennoyer factions. The Demo-
Gratis nave been badly demoralized by
remover and the fight over free silver.
The silver Republicans do not know
where they are going finally TO land. bnt
IL VIII probably be in the fusion camp
IL anywhere, and IL there Is fusion
Inc Republican dissension has arisen
Doth over men and principles. Its ORR
gin IS IN the free silver fallacy, which
once had strong hold on the Republi-
cans of Oregon. But Senator Ilolph stood
out against silver and the majority Of his
a "a
prevailing sentiment could have made his
reelection certain. In the legislature OF
1880 the silverites made war on Dolph.
There were some features OF similarity
In that fight to the present Ohio cam
paign. Dolph was short one or two
votes Mitchell declined 10 help him as
Foraker declines TO help Hanna. 1t is
freeiy charged. too. that he secretly aided
to defeat him. Dolph was beaten. Nit
chelfS nominal reason was that his coli
league was for the gold standard, while
ne was an uneompromising advocate of
Tree silver; but personal politics was be-
hind II all. Later Do.phs friends took
up the fight on Mitchell. They had TWO
motives: They Were nearly all against
free silver. and they wanted TO avenge
Doiph's defeat. The clash between the
two factions In the Portland primaries.
and later In the county convention, was
marked by almost unparalleled scenes OF
disorder and excitement The MITCHELL
ties stormed the convention and then
bolted. The state convention later gave
equal representation to the contendins
factions. The Mitchell Republicans put
up full county ana legislative ticket.
They elected five out OF thirteen. On
June l Republican legislature was
elected.
Later the st. Louis convention was held
and declared for the gold standard. Nit
cheH was in a sore dilemma If he bolt
ed, or course he alienated all his Repub-
Hean following in a legislature already
chosen. If he did not. he was likely 10
lose certain Populists and silver Republi-
cans who had agreed TO vote for him.
lie tried TO select a middle course, and
stand on the conditional universal BIZ
melaiiism plank OF the platform This
dispieased the Popuists and silver Re-
puhAeans, and, later. when the legisla-
ture met they united with the gold
standard Republicans In a common fight
on the straddler. They succeeded in pre-
venting Organization of the legislature,
ana by his means caused his defeat. One
rema! kdole feature of the contest against
Mitchell was that no candidate was
brought out against him. Gov. Lord an
pointed H. w. Corbett to fill his vacant
seat.
The fight was carried into the Portland
municipal campaign. There were two Re.
publican tickets. and as a consequence
Ienn0Ear
candidate. His administration has been
the most rotten and corrupt the city ever
saw. and that is saying a good deal PEN
meyer is a low demlgogue who has unt1
the present always been able to cover hin
cunning. hypocrisy and dishonesty with
mask OF benevolence, straightforward
ness and friendship for the people The
defeat of all his schemes OF future politi-
cal conquest would now be easy but for
the unfortunate schIsm among Repubu-
cans.
Last week there was In Portland a con-
/ ference OF Populists, silver Republicans
and Bryan Democrats. 1t was called ty
man named Cooper in the Interest ot
, union and Abandonment or old party au-
tonomies: but the several parties decided
to retain their organiza t.aNs, and To unjte
on candidates and to that end state COR
ventions Of Democrats and silver Repub-
leans were called for March g. when the
Populists have already been asked to
meet
Eat the way TO fusion is not yet clear.
The Popul st machine is square against 1t
: except on terms made solely by Popuilsts.
and that means acceptance Of their prin-
ciplcs and candidates. Their state central
/ committee is 10 meet January 70 and at
that time there will undoubtedly be an
effort made 10 change the date OF the
convention. II is likely 10 be successful
Recently the Mitchell Republicans
sent 10 the regular Republicans an
offer 10 unite the two factions It's terms.
contained in a very long address. were
substantially that there be one primary
and one convention and that Hon. George
; II Williams be accepted as aTbter Of all
disputes. The regular tor simon Repub-
leans made caustic reply, fatty declin-
Ing, mainly on the ground that the offer
was not made IL good faith. and that they
/ had 10 reason to expect fair treatment
( from Judge Williams. The Judge was
chairman of the last state Republican
( convention and Il was largely through lis
/ influence that the Multnomah delegation
( was divided and the Mitchell men gained
control OF the'state machine.
/ There is 20 BE elected IN Oregon next
, June fuu state ticket. two congressman
/ and a legislature. The result OF all thtse
/ varied contentious is that there will prob
! ably DC four tickets IN the field. They Will
| bs the Republican. Mitchell Republican.