Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-10-31

OF the 2Ist inst, and asked permission to
publish this affidavit, and Mr.. Miller re-
fused to give his consent. So here is a
bit of conflicting testimony.
Following, as nearly as my memory
serves me, are the details of matter,
which Mr. Waters has carried to point
which does not reflect credit on his rep
utation as a gentleman, or his forbear-
ance as christian:
In the campaign of two years ago last
spring, matter openly talked on the
streets and quite generally discussed-so
generally, in fact, that I doubt if any one
who takes any part in local politics failed
to hear of it-concerned financial sup
port Mr.. Waters was alleged to have re-
ceived from parties in Portland. There
was, also an affidavit from a person in
Portland, which pertained principally to
an alleged deal that Mr.. Waters had
made at the time the Lincoln county rec
ords were transcribed and had something
to do with the books furnished.
Like others, I had heard of these
things, but had not used them personally
nor otherwise against Mr.. Waters in the
campaign, as many others had done, and
of which fact Mr.. Waters, experienced
politician as he is, must have been aware.
Some time in June, after the election, I
was seated one day at lunch in Hodes
Halls restaurant with Mr.. Turney and
possibly someone else. We were con-
versing on some topic of general nature.
While we were thus engaged Richard
Smith, who had been seated at another
table, in leaving the dining room, passed
our table and paused to joke, as is his
custom. He made some reference to the
late election, and as I now recall it, said
something to this effect, that some OF the
republican candidates failed of election
even if they did buy votes. replied IN
the joking spirit in which believed Mr..
Smith had spoken: "Weu that's moth
ing. guess both parties did that; and
one of your men got help from Portland. I"
I think Mr.. Smith enqnired to whom I
referred, and either said "your clerk"
or "Mr. Waters"
Here was one grievous and unpardona-
BILE offence. And here is the other, to
which I believe Mr.. Waters took such
strenuous exceptions:
A gentleman and myself were convers-
ing in private on an occasion during the
campaign of 1900. Naturally, politics
and the various candidates came up for
discussion. Mr.. Waters name was men,
toned and the other party, minister,
said he thought from what he knew of
him that he was good man. replied
that knew nothing against his morals,
but that 1 had heard many persons ques-
ton his sincerity. He asked, in what
particular. Well, said I, it was generally
understood that in his first campaigns in
this county he solicited and catered to
the saloon vote. Since then, he had
identified himself with the church and it
was said that he was taking advantage of
his prestage there, to influence that vote
in his behalf. Now, ..Mr. Waters must
have heard of many remarks of this kind
being made by different parties, and
where is the man who has courted dis
cussion by being before the people for Of
flee as long as he has, who has not had
more said of him with far less reason,
and that too, by the fairest-minded peo-
pie in the community. Can Mr.. Waters
truthful1y say that he has refrained from
questioning the motives and rejecting
upon the character of his opponents?
Has he not done so, when the evidence
he had for his assertions was most himsy.
~
But to a consideration of this "docu-
mentary evidence"
with Mr.. Smith, and the matter having
entirely passed from my mind, I was
coming from the post Office with an arm
full ofpapers and other mail. As Ireach-
ed the corner near Allen & Woodward's
store, Mr. Waters, who was standing in
front of Mr.. Mil1er's establishment,
beckoned to me, and said as he ap-
preached: "Come here, George, want
to see you." I turned to meet him and
Mr.. Miller, who came with him. Mr..
Waters asked me if had ever said that
he had received help from Portland dur
ing his campaign. Immediately, I
thought of my little dialogue with Mr..
Smith, and said "Why yes. Dick Smith
told you that. I'll tell you about it"
Mr.. Waters interrupted with the remark
that s'there were others present besides
Mr.. Smith, giving me the impression
that some one else was his informant. I
told him that was not aware that there
was anyone else present besides Mr..
Smith and those at my table. I then
told him of the incident at Hodes &