The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1898-04-29
William Rufus King.

| William Rufus king, tie nominee Tor
governor Of the peoples democratic, all
yer republican parties, in this state, ~aa
born near Walla Walla. Washington Oct.
3, 1864, OF pioneer parentage. and was
brought up on a farm. The rugged lie
on q frontier farm tended to develop
the characteristics OF honesty, courage,
self reliance and strong individuality,
with which he was endowed by nature,
and which at the early aye OF thirty
three, has made him one of the foremost
young men within the state oil Oregon.
| He ia truely what might be called a
self-made man. for he has carved his
way, practically unaided and alone, be
set by obstacles, privations and trials
which would have overwhelmed any
other less favorably endowed with ma.
ture. In every position in lie, whether
az farmers boy, laboring to earn SUI
ticient money to pay for his education at
college, before tie bar, as private cit
izsn, or In the halls OF the state senate,
his strong mentality individuality, sound
conservative judgment, honesty OF pnr-
pose aud devotion TO principle, have in
spired the confidence and respect of all,
and marked him as fearless. cafe and
intelligent leader OF men.
When only thirteen years OF age be
travelled with another party from Walla
walla to Jordan Valley. in what now ID
Maibeur county, Oregon. a distance o.
500 miles, he and his companion having
but one horse between them, each riding
) and walking by turns. Young Kini
worked on farm during that summer
in Jordan Valley and in the fall jus
after the close OF the Indian war Of 1873
travelled on horseback alone through
what was then largely an uninhabitet
! country to walla walla. Wash,
. attend school, and wien his school tern
had ended in the spring, returned h
Malheur TO again take up his duties oil
!. the farm, where he remained until 1852
By industry and rigid economy he earn
ed sufficient money to take q course Il
college. and accordingly in the TALL c
lSSa. he entered the State AgricuIturs
u college at Corvallis. Oregon, where b
remained at school for three years.
Necessity compelled him TO again re
turn to the farm in Malheur county
= where he remained until 1889. Durin
that year he began 8 course in the ia
!. school Of DAnville, Indiana. graduatir
= from there July I, 1891, with d;stinctic
and honor Soon after he opened q Ia
office In Vale, Malheur county. orsgol
:. In the spring Of 1892. Mr.. King wi
!. nominated by the democratic party
MalheEE county for the Office OF repr
! sentative, and was elected by . ham
some majority. He was married I
December 6. ls9e, to Miss Myrtle Kin
Of Danville. In search Of a larger held
:, the practice OF his profession be reusoy
to Baker City, Baker county. Oregon,
~ the spring of 1898, where he has sin
= lived in the enjoyment o. a good Il
:. practice and where he 10 esteemed q
;. respected by ell irrespective al party.
10 the fall Of 1898. Mr.. King becal
dissatisfied with the democratic pei
;. "a interpreted by the Cleveland admin
:, trasioa and cast HE lot With the peopl
party and Ia The spring OF "a was nol
" mated by the peoples party for the of
OF state senator for Malheur and Bal
sounties the democrats nominating no c
ys against him, and was elected by ms j
y ity Of $50 votes over his republrcan c
ie, ponent.
- While iu the Oregon legislature thou
'ss in the minority PARTY, he was coon n
II. ognized as leader OF that minority pi
e II aaah tsh Haa III IP0RiSss Fffffas RI fsat b
re speak Of him as an able debater, ss
'e, earnest. conscientious man, possessed
in sound judgment, conservative in
ne views, honest and Industrious in his Ii
lis genial, kind and courteous in his mann
IN generous.a and loyal in bis friendship. I'll
on and determined in his purposes, pure .
ne untaintsd in both his private and poll
cal life. He vas the author OF seyei
important laws now upon the state
books OF this state. notably among Viii
is the present irrigation district Law d
s:i tributing the Eve per cent fund amo
n- the various counties Of the state Ter 70
ne purpposes. he introduced In the sens
she only resolution ever submitted TO o
ID state legislature, proposing an amen
/. ment 10 the constitution OF Oregon. pr
at viding for direct legislation by~she pc
DO pie. He also introduced the fret Al
i. ouly resolution memoralixing congress
oe recognize the Deligsrent rights Of the C
bsns and asking for Intervention on &
part OF the United State.
II elected governor Of the stkte of o.
l. gon the peoples interest viii he safe
ty Mr.. Kings keeping. aud no oresoria
q whatever his politics. siii have cause
m feel other than pride in oregon's youn
,g est governor.