The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-09-09
PoRTlANDS AGED AAYoR

Il Portland, Sept. S.-(Special Cores
pondenee)-The greatest political mis-
take ever made by a public man in this
state was by General Csc. H. Williams
when he allowed himself cajoled into
permitting the use of his name for ma
yor of Portland.
This grand old man was held up as
TIE only man that could at all fill the
office Of nayoralty, and by keeping his
virtues before the people. he was unfor-
tunately for himself, elected. Now
vain regrets for the step down from the
high pedestal he long occupied to ming
lie in the jealousies, the scramble, the
deceit and the corruption of city bood-
ling and grating and crime.
And some Of the vry influences that
were most potent in coaxing him into
the position OF candidate for mayor are
INV the most Industrious in bounding
General Williams with bitter criticism,
annoying innuendo and damaging mis-
representation, al joining in the en-
deavor to hold him responsible for con-
dition of affairs which has been brought
about without his knowledge or con-
sent.
There is positive cruelty in the ex-
parience TO which General Williams has
been subjected during the past fifteen
months.
A senator of the United States and
training with the ablest men in the
world; author of the reconstruction act
a nation-building and nation-making
piece of legislation-an act of world
wide moment and importance; men,
ber of the cabinet of President Grant
and the latter's choice for the supreme
bench of the United States. what can
such man know of the corrupt mach
nations Of local ward forces? How
could it be expected that he is able to
ferret out and prohibit the various
gratis of city government, keep track
of the individuals of police force or
regulate the doings of red-light dis
trict?
These things are foreign to his nature
and have never come within his line
of study or experience. You might as
viii take a Michael Angelo to paint an
old fence, put Chief Justice Fuller in
as justice of The peace at Skamokawa,
make King Edward Liverpool cop or
set General Miles to drilling raw COM |
pany of the Oregon National Guard. |
The positions would be as appropriate
as to expect General Williams to find !
and clean out all the fifth of Portland's I
augean stables.
Inasmuch as the honored old states !
man consented to load down his declin- !;
ing years with the annoying duties in
cident to the mayoralty Of the city to |
which his name has brought much hon
or for the past 40 years, it would be
at least the part of decency for the
of Portland to refrain from
harassing comments and for the sub
stantial business men of the city to in
sist upon supporting the old gentleman
with all their moral and substantial
power.
General Williams belongs to all Ore
g0n and the people Of the state nave
a deep pride in the ownership. In the
ordinary course Of events, he cannot
ong be with us. but while he is there
should be no unkindness said or done,
md no criticism that is liable to en-
bitter the remnant of his life, which
las been always clean, always honor
lble always patriotic and always
marked by high ability which has
,iven him recognition as an equal
.mong the great men Of earth.
He made mistake in accepting this
1etty honor under the pressure Of pre-
ended friendship, and the least that
,ar, be done is to allow him to go
through the disagreeable ordeal with as
title additional punishment as possible.