The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-05-04
CAMPAIGN NOTES.
Citizens Party Not Recognized by the
Law-ItS Nominees Must Run
as Independents.


There was something Of stir in
political circles yesterday when II was
learned that the recent go-called citi-
zens convention was no convention at
all, under the law. and that the per-
sons nominated by the said convention
had no right 10 a place on the ballot
at the coming election.
The law provides that any mass
convention. nominating candidates,
must have at least one hundred vo-
tiers In order TO make up a ticket.
The citizens" convention was sup
posed 10 be mass convention but the
largest number Of votes cast sor any
person nominated was for Charlie Ma
thena for coroner. against William
Pohl, the vote being, respectively, AZ
to Pa total OF 72 votes. Delegate
Dealey even objected to this vote, say
Ing the hat had been stuffed" as
previous nominations had been made
by sixty odd votes.
AS soon as the candidates on the
citizens ticket learned Of the predica-
ment in which they were placed, they
hastily prepared petitions. as provided
By law. for every man on the ticket,
and started out runners to get sig
natures to them in order that they
might go on the ballot under the same
provision which provides for the in
dependent candidates-men who have
left all parties. or who have been left
out In the cold by all parties.
As only fifty signatures OF legal vo-
ters are needed to petition to place
a candidate on the ticket, It was easy
work to secure the requisite number
OF signers, but there is now no ''citi-
zens" ticket. They are all independ-
ents. on the ticket at least, and, as
such. must go before the people.
The democrats. who wanted a
straight-out party ticket. and who
only entered the citizens" movement
by pursuasion, are more than amused
over the situation, while Olsen, Pohl and
Wickman sing We all look alike to
the voters now" since their bitterest
opponents have been robbed Of party
designation on the ballot.
The campaign lie has sprouted and.
ia day or two, will undoubtedly be in
full bloom in Clatsop county. Neither
time, season Or place affects the cam
paign lie. II thrives in any climate.
: at any time and under any circum-
stances. The flower should never be
worn in Clatsop county. but that 1t
will be is almost certain. Already, on
the streets, are heard rumors affect
ing this or that candidate. even go
ing so far as to delve into the pri-
vate affairs OF man for material to
supply mud battery
II is to be hoped that the campaign
lie will be nipped in the bud by the
men Of all parties and Of no party.
and the best way TO do 1t is to never
give the malodorous plant a chance to
start.
Candidate Lyman is being severely
criticised for the stand he has taken
on the Philippine question. "Clatsop
county voters are not partial to men
who consider Aguinaldo 'the equal OF
George Washington" is the way the
objectors put 1t.
At last some Of the candidates are
: awakening to the fact that 1t viii be
necessary to have every legal voter in
Clatsop county registered. if there is
10 be anything like a full representa-
. tion at the coming county and national
: elections, and they are out looking
| up unregistered voters and seeing tC
it that they are registered. But Ten
days remain in which voters can reg.
lister. The county clerk is keeping his
office open until o'clock every Thurs
; day evening for the accommodation Of
those who cannot find the time to reg
lister during the day. There are full
ly 800 voters in the city and county
, who are entitled to vote but who have
| not yet registered. The registration tc
; date is over 1000, as against $500 to
400, the vote in former years.
There are indications. here and there,
Of sectional fights in the county be-
cause candidates from one locality
were chosen instead Of men from an
other section. These fights should be
settled without unnecessary delay. A
house divided against itself cannot
stand the onslaught of the enemy
Work for the whole ticket" should
be the watchword Of those supporting
the republican ticket this year.
RAILROAD EXCURSION.