The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-03-24
OTHER SIDE OF
CURTIS RECORD
County Judge Gray Delves into
Past History.
WHAT WAS DONE AT SALEM
Some csusile Remarks Concerning The Nickel.
ln.the.SIoi Scandal What Has Not
Been Done for Roads.


made by Mr.. Curtis in behalf Of his
legislative record. Prominent republi-
cans throughout the city declare that
Sir. Curtis has made assertions In his
own defense which cannot be borne
up by the facts In the case.
J. II. ID. Gray county Judge, made
statement 10 an Astorlan representa-
tive yesterday afternoon concerning
the matter which will make very Inter-
esting reading TO .he people OF this
city who know Mr.. Curtis and are
acquainted with the political situation.
II believe" said Mr.. Gray. that the
interview with Mr.. Curtis. published
this morning. should be answered in
behalf OF the people at large Of this
county. dislike very much 10 enter
into this controversy. but feel that.
az citizen and member OF the re-
publican party. the statements should
not 40 unchallenged.
Mr.. Curtis has stopped over again
and " ranting around the streets.
making threats aA 10 what he Is go-
ing TO do TO the republican party II
the convention does not nominate him
for the Legislature. In the first place.
what does he want with the office? An
honest man can only receive 50 a day
for forty days, and mileage. to-
tai OF about $3.50 for the entire session.
lie has had mush TO say concerning
his support OF better roads legislation.
What has he done? He has not sue
ceeded in securing the slightest legisla-
ton for the benefit OF the roads OF
ClRtsop county. other members did
succeed in accomplishing something.
but IL was done In spite OF Curtis.
They could have done much more had
he not been there. Curtis failed 10 ae-
oompllsh anything. during his two
terms OF service, OF benefit to the county.
Mr., Curtis is reported to have said;
4 have always been n republican and
am today. He should have said. ex-
cept when he could bulldoze weak poll
tlcians to put him on the republican
ticket. and In every instance he has
dlsgraced the city. county and party
by his incompetent and irresponsible
acts. This expert Hopper or 'tlipper,
has cost the city OF Astoria and Clat-
sop county many thousands OF dollars
sometimes. by his petulant disregard OF
duty but, generally. by his utter care
lessness and Ignorance OF the law,
whereby he has misled those who have
depended upon him.
I'm his interview OF yesterday he
said; I admit that am to blame for
Il certain report that has gained consid-
erable credence, that l ran away with
the 'Nickle- in the.slot' bill, People
have been In the habit. as a Josh, OF
accusing me of divers and sundry acts
and have always allowed them to
believe that they were correct In their
deductions. but as matter OF fact.
never ran away with any bill, The
bill referred TO was given by me to Il.
II. Flagg, OF Marion county. member |
os the committee to which the bill was
referred. and while was engaged ex-
porting the books OF the deaf mute |
school. he reported favorably on the |
bill and II was passed and is now a
law, as appears by the session laws and |
the house journal
Curtis and many Others know that |
he ran away from the legislature in
1899 with the nickle-in- the-slot machine
bill In his pocket, He left Salem after
dark and walked twelve miles to Deery.
In Polk county, and took the train the
following morning from that place to
Portland. where Mr.. Curtis, the self
member from Clatsop coun-
ty. remained In hiding until the last
day Of the session. After hearing that !
Mr.. Flagg, of Marion county, and the
other members Of the committee to
whom the bill had been referred, had
reported on the measure, and that the
legislature had passed a substitute bill,
he returned 70 the capitol at Salem,
Curtis afterward, in the Justices court
In this city, not only acknowledged,
but boasted of this act. This and many
more OF his notorious and unscrupu-
lous acts, caused Curtis and Clatsop
county to be by-word and stencil
to all honest men. The $l5,OOO-fish-
hatchery appropriation bill lost at
least six votes on account Of Curtis
action with the slot machine bill, and
was very nearly defeated.
"The district attorney bill was gen.
eral measure gotten up by the attor-
neys In the nine judicial districts of
the state. The truth Of the matter
rs far as Mr.. Curtis connection is
as that they greatly feared
that by letting Curtis introduce the
measure It would without doubt be de-
ieated."
Continuing. Judge Gray said:
Until Curtis became known as the
great introducer of bills of questionable
merit he was in demand. and he has
continually boasted. with unbecoming
pride. OF the great number Of bills pre-
tented to the legislature by himself.
my school boy with substantial type
writer could have done as well.
In his interview In the Astorian