The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1902-06-26
WHY FEAR ONE SMALL NEWS
PAPER7

WHY FEAR ONE SMALL NEWS
PAPER7
The Oregonian is busy getting up
one straw man after another relative
to the demand of an extra session Of
the legislature, and then proceeds TO
annihilate 1t In order TO make some
one believe that no extra session Is
needed Below are some Of It's latest
utterances on the subject:
"The meaning of all the agitation
In favor Of a special session of the
legislature continues TO be a subject
for discussion in political circles, and
the question is frequently asked, what
does Geer expect to get out of it? The
supposition on all sides is that
Governor Geer is the father of
the special session idea. and that II
has something 90 do with his senator.
ial candidacy. No one has yet discov.
cred any advantage that could accrue
to Geer through a special session. and.
In fact no one considers his chances
Of election great enough to make him
senatorial possibility, even with
any added strength a special session
might give him in some unforeseen
manner. A number OF those who be
lieve that Geer Is back of the special
session movement are OF the opinion
that his purpose is to punish those
who we're the cause Of his defeat for
denomination. The same wing of the
Republican party that defeated Geer
nominated Dunbar and Whitney, and
it Is against these officers that the
new salary law is TO be particularly
| framed.
but political friends OF Geer, and
Geer himself, have recently said that
the governor did not start the special
session talk. According TO several Sa-
lem men, who have visited Portland
lately. the extra session is the product
of the fertile mind of Colonel H. Hofer.
who is said TO be trying to pose as the
leader of reform in Oregon. Hofer
started the fiat salary agitation, and
now he wants the Oregon legislature
convened In special session TO put his
pet scheme into practice. The accom-
plishment of the latter object would
place him In the position OF having
dictated a plank in both party plat
forms and forced the whole state ma
chinery into extraordinary motion 10
carry out his ideas of how the state
should be run. It isn't every man that
can have the legislature convened TO
transact such business as he deems too
important TO wait few days until the
regular session.
Governor Geer is waiting 10 see
whether the people want a special ses-
sion Hofer has sent out blank petit
tions for people TO sign. asking that
the session be called People have |
habit of signing a petition when asked |
to do so. and no one Is taking enough |
interest TO circulate adverse petitions. |
so II is probable that special session |
will be called. Hofer has also been |
talking up the special session idea /
with some members OF the legislature.
and with others In influential posi-
tons, and is said TO have gained
strength for the movement"
The Oregonian is no doubt mistaken
when II asserts that Gov. Geer is the
father of the special session idea, but
II makes no difference who Is the
father OF II, so long as II is a good
thing. Whether IL will affect Gov.
Geer's meagre chances for the sena.
Lorship or not Is another question that
must not be dragged into the PROPOSE
ton. and the oregonian article is at
least rational In admitting that II will
be no advantage TO the governor 10
have an extra session. In fact, an ex-
ira session is more apt TO harm than
help the political future OF the execu-
i've who calls Il. II Gov Geer Is re-
ipOnsible for the extra session talk.
and is pushing II 10 punish those who
Of Ita mill
inally be the victim OF his own folly
'or no man can successfully carry on
hat kind OF business.
The assumption that the attempt to
nave a special session to inaugurate
lat salaries is "A thrust at Messrs. Dun.
lar and Whitney comes with poor
grace, when II is remembered that
10Th these gentlemen stood on a Hat Ii
ialary platform when they were elect. II
ID. Did they repudiate that plank of
he platform, or condemn it? No. they
tood upon the platform and endorsed (
very plank OF IL. and II must be as.
'Rmed now that, as gentlemen of hon. q
~ sud as good citizens. they favor /
lat salaries, and win do everything s
within beir power 20 carry into effect {
very plan& OF that platform. II those I
Gentlemen are not In favor of this. s
hey are unworthy of the high office to 1
Which the people elected them upon Z
he Republican platform. II Govi
rnor Geer Is not In favor OF that plank
4 the platform, or Is trying 20 carry Il
nto effect TO punish" Messrs. Dunbar
nd Whitney he is equally unfit for
he high office which he now holds. II y
fact that the two gentlemen
amed are receiving greater emolu-
lents than any of the other state of,
GERS to be affected but IL Is not the /,
lult OF Governor Geer. Furthermore. y
Is not the province OF the governor.
the event OF an extra session. 20 nN ,
he compensation OF the respective of
GERS, but IL Will devolye upon the leg
stature To fix those salaries, and the
NecuuVo could have no voice In the
latter II he chose, unless Il were To
oto the salary fXed by the legisla.
IRE, and that would entirely annul the "
nect OF the extra session. p
AS 10 the extra session talk being a
le product OF the fertile brain of y
olonel E Hofer," that gentleman dis. y
aims credit for the honor. yet can. =
NJ neglect the opportunity 10 thank p
Ia Kind friends for the very high .
lmpliment The short of Il is. il -
axes no difference whose idea II rs. a
long as Il Is good idea. The Jour. =
n believes Il Is good idea, and Is "
n that reason advocating Il. Il Is =
ways good idea to do as yOu agree u
/, and Il is fact that the Republi- ~
m party agreed TO this matter OF its n,
sn yolition. Il voluntarily agreed 10 y
We the state the benefit of aat sal. Y.
les and the only NAV ~ a., a. a.. a., Z ~