The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-07-11
FIRST GUN is FIRED
OPENING BATTLE OF THE CAM.
PAIGN OF 1902.
Firm Adhesion to Sound Republican
Principles Demonstrated in the
Marked Increase in the Republican
Vote In the Oregon Election.

OF the oregon eleCllOu. OH TIC COh'
trary, it is perfectly apparent that Re-
publican principles and policies are
stronger than ever with the people.
The fact that a Democratic governor
was elected by small plurality does
not alter this conclusion. There was
bitter dissention over the governor
ship inside the party. The factions
were bent upon knitting each other, and
the faction opposed tothe regular Re-
publican nominee made no secret OF
it's preference for the election OF the
Democratic candidate. But the fight
went no further The Legislature is
overwhelmingly Republican, the ma
jority on joint ballot being the larg-
est in the history of the state. The
election of Republican United States
senator is thus assured.
But it is in the congressional dis
tricts that the vote is most significant.
II 1t were true, as so many free trad
ers and weakened Republicans have
asserted, that there is throughout the
West feeling of dissatisfaction with
the existing condition of things and a
marked demand for tariff revision as a
means of dealing with the trust ques-
ton, the vote of June 2 in Oregon
would nave shown it. The issue was
we'll defined. On the Democratic side
was a demand for a complete over
hauling of our economic policy, for a
repeal of the Dingley tariff on the
false pretense that under that law
trusts have fourished, and for tariff
for revenue only; in short, straight
out challenge on the tariff issue. The
Republicans met the question square
ly. They stood by the Dingley tariff,
they stuck to the principle and policy
of protection to American labor and
industry, and on this line they stood
shoulder to shoulder. No local fac
ton quarrels were allowed to enter
into the contest, so far as the leading
national issue was concerned. On
that issue splendid victory was won.
From her two congressional districts
Oregon sends two Republican Con-
gressmen, whose total vote and plur.
atty are over $4,000, or about 5000
| greater than the plurality of two
years ago.
Thus Oregon sets the pace for 1902.
She is the first of the Republican
states to answer the question whether
our magnificent tariff system is to be
| turned over to the tender mercies of
free trade Democrats. Her answer
more emphatic by 5000 votes than the
answer of 1900 is that the tariff shall
not be tinkered at all, and in no case
shall free traders be intrusted with
the job. That Is the obvious and I'M
mlstakable meaning of the big Repub-
lican gains in the State of Oregon.
Had there been any such generally
prevalent desire for ripping open of
the Republican tariff system as the
free trade Democrats and hysterical
Republicans would have us believe ex-
listed all over the country, surely we
should have had some sign from Ore
gon. A falling off in the Republican
vote would have been joyfully pointed
to as such a sign. Then indeed would
the free traders and the nervous Re-
publicans have said: Behold Oregon!
We told you SO! Tariff revision on
the basis of for revenue only, or, at
least, sweeping reduction of the
Dingley tariff rates, is imperatively
demanded by the country as whole,
by Republicans as well as Democrats.
Tho 1occpn from OroOon &c ,p,,,i 70 II
able. Tariff revision is the order of
the day, the need of the hour" All
this and much more would now be
said if Oregon had shown any defec-
ton on Republican national questions.
But as we have said, Oregon gives
large Republican gains, and the les
son is precisely the reverse of what
it would otherwise have been. 1t
means that Oregon wants the tariff
let alone; wants the Republican party
to keep on letting it alone" in the
characteristic words of Senator
Hanna.
In this gratifying result especial
pleasure is felt and particular pride
taken by the American Protective
Tariff league. This organization, in
accordance with its invariable custom,
devoted its money and it's work direct
ly to the significant and important
campaign in the first of the Congress
sional elections of 1902. Beginning
more than four months ago, the Tariff
League has industriously bent its ener-
gies and utilized its resources with
view to affecting the outcome of
the June election in Oregon. Realiz-
ing the fact that the Republican cause
in that State labored under the serious
handicap of mugwump and free-trade
detection on the part of the so-called
Republican dailies of the metropolitan
city Of Portland, the Tariff League
took especial measures to offset this
hostile influence, and by means of its
educational machinery made sure of
reaching the voters of Oregon in the
most effective possible manner.
Hence, we say, no one is prouder or
gladder Of the result in Oregon than
is the American Protective Tariff