The Globe-republican., 1902-07-10
FIRST GUN IS FIRED
OPENING BATTLE OF THE CAM
FAIGN OF 1892.
Firm Adhesion to Sound Republican
Principles Demonstrated in the
Marked Increase in the Republican
Vote in the Oregon Election

M9Fke0 increase IN Iae HGPuEftCSn
Vote in the Oregon Eie>tion-
The cause of sound Republicanism
mas received no setback in the results
Of the Oregon election On the con-
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 a small plurality does
not alter this conclusion There was
a bitter dissention over the governor
ship inside the party The factions
were bent upon knitting each other, and
the faction opposed to the regular Re
publican nominee made no secret of
its 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 a Republican United States
senator is thus assured.
But it is in the congressional dis
tricts that the vote is most significant
If it were true, many free trad
ers and weakened Republicans have
asserted, that there is throughout the
West a feeling of dissatisfaction with
the existing condition of things and a
marked demand for tariff revision as q
means of dealing with the trust ques-
ton, the vote OF June 2 in Oregon
would nave shown it The issue was
Well 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 flourish ed, and for a tariff
for revenue only; in short, a straight
out challenge the tariff issue The
Republicans met the question square
1y. 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 Quarre1s were allowed to enter
into the contest, SO far as the leading
national issue was concerned. On
that issue a splendid victory was won.
From her two congressional districts
Oregon sends two Republican Con
gressmen, whose total vote and plur-
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 case
shall free traders be intrusted with
| the job. That is the obvious and IN
| m1stakab1e meaning of the big Repub
| 1ican gains in the State of Oregon
/ Had there been any such generally
/ prevalent desire for ripping open o.
/ the Republican tariff system the
| free trade Democrats and hysterica
| Republicans would have US believe ex
listed all over the country, surely we
should have had some sign from Ore
A falling n
vote would have been joyfuIly 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 OF
| the basis of for revenue only. or, a
| least, sweeping reduction of tn
| Dingley tariff rates, is imperativel.
| demanded by the country as whole
| by Republicans well as Democrats
| The lesson from Oregon is unmistak
able. Tariff revision is the order o
the day, the need of the hour" AL
this and much more would now b,
said if Oregon had shown any defec
| ton on Republican national questions
But have said, Oregon give
large Republican gains, and the les
son is precisely the reverse of wha
it would otherwise have been.
means that Oregon wants the tari1
let alone; wants the Republican part
to keep on letting it a1one,'' in tn
characteristic words of Senate
Hanna.
In this gratifying result especia
pleasure is felt and particular prid
taken by the American Protectiv
Tariff league This organization, i
accordance with its invariab1e custom
devoted its money and its work direc
: ly to the significant and importan
, campaign in the first of the Congre.
SiOnal elections of 1902 Beginnin
more than four months ago, the Tari
League has industrious1y bent its enc
gies and utilized its resources wit
2 a view to affecting the outcome c
' the June election in Oregon. Reali.
ing the fact that the Republican caus
. in that State Iabored under the seriou
handicap of mugwump and free-trad
detection on the part of the so-calle
Republican dailies of the metropolita
city of Portland, the Tariff Leagu
; took especial measures to Offset thi
! hostile influence, and by means of il
: educational machinery made sure
l. reaching the voters of Oregon in til