, 1900-06-07

there has been complete fusion between
the democrats and populists, withou,
even the presence of a middle-of-the,
road populist ticket in the field. There
have been just three tickets-republi-
can, fusion and prohibition-the latter
cutting the usual figure.
The f~usionists, it must be admitted,
have had an uphill fight. Oregon is a
republican state. Governor Pennoyer's
personality rather than democratic
populist strength used to elect him.
The republicans never have lost the
state il a presidential year. In 1892
there was partial fusion, and one popu-
list elector was chosen. In 1880 the re-
publican plurality was only Gil. In all
other presidential years the plurality
has ranged from 1000 up. From a
plurality of 4,065 in 1872 the republi-
ans dropped in 1876 to 1850. In 1880
came low water mark, Gil. James G..
BlaIEe's candidacy in 1884 brought it
back to 2,256, and President Cleveland's
administration shot it up to 6,769 for
Harrison in 1888.
Then the populists arose. Pennoyer
was elected with their help in 1890 by
more than 5000. In 1892 he was elect
ed again, with fusion. That year the
vote on president was: Democrats, A.
1893; republicans, 5000; populists, &c.
965. In 1894 the republicans had a plur-
ality On governor of $1,000, their total
vote being Al, 139, while the populists
polled 26,723 and the democrats only
II, S65. The republican plurality over
complete fusion in 1896 was 2,117.
Ii 1898 there was a ~middle-of-the-
road populist ticket, which received g.
SIS votes, and the plurality Of the re-
publicans over the ~fusionists was TO-
551.
The inspiration for the f%usionists to
make this fight in the face of such odds
anne from the east-if not from Mr..
Bryan in person when he was here last
March, then from his friends and ad-
visers in the democratic national COM
mittee and at Washington. Democratic
and populist leaders appreciated at the
outset that expansion was more popu-
lar on the Pacific coast than anywhere
in the country.
Their national advisers argued that
since the state was likely to go repub-
lican anyhow and defeat would be de-
feat no matter in what guise it might
come, nothing would be gained by evad-
ing the expansion issue, while an ag-
gressive campaign against Imperial
ISM" if successful in keeping down
the republican majority or slightly re-
ducing it, would have moral effect for
Mr.. Bryan's cause in other parts of the
country. These eastern people, in IN
sideration of their advice being taken.
also promised to help make the cam
paign and have done 80.
Imperialism" as a presidential year
issue, in other words, has been tried
on the dog" in Oregon's election. All
opponents of President McKinley's ad-
ministration everywhere have been
parties to the experiment. The date of
the democratic national convention has
been determined approximately by it.
Mr.. Bryan himself suggested that the
date should be after the election here.
so that the effect Of this days work
might be noted and SO that the dampen>
ing effect effect of a republican victory
here on the heels of a democratic ma
tional convention might be avoided.
Mr.. Bryan sounded the keynote" Of
the campaign when he visited the Pa
cific coast last spring and went through
Oregon making speeches. He made
two speeches in the state and the re-
publicans are wondering now how
much larger their majority would have
been If he had made a dozen. Compro-
mise then entered into the making Of
nominations. Against Congressman
Tongue in the First district the fusion
lists nominated DR.. Bernard Daily, a