The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-06-29
EFFECT OF THE SOCIALIST VOTE.


Tn Portland Journal discussing the result of the
late election, points out the remarkable growth of
the socialist vote of the state in the past two years
In 1902, according to the Journal there were 579
socialist voters in Oregon while the vote in 1904 was
6419, an increase of something like S55 per cent.
SAT this ratio Of increase it would not take long
for the socialists to carry the state says the Jour
nal. ssIt does not follow necessarily that they are
likely to do So but greatly increased socialist vote,
enough to worry the republican machine, may pos
lbly be expected.
The growth Of the socialist vote need not worry
the republican machine To the contrary, the demo-
cratic machine is the one to do the worrying. The
socialists are merely splitting the strength OF the
democrats just as the populists did, and the re-
publicans are the benefciaries. Baker used to be
democratic county This year Douglass, democrat,
received 1886 votes for food commissioner, while Ras-
mussen, socialist received 456, total of 1872
Bailey, republican, received 1904, so the combined
vote Of the democratic and socialist candidates given
to the democrat would have elected him. Combin-
ing the democratic and socialstic strength Moore
would have received 4 plurality in Baker for SUI
preme judge; Williamson would have been defeated
in Baker for congress by 81.
Linn county is generally democratic; at all events
it sends two democrats and one republican to the
legislature Combining the democratic and social
istc vote in Linn and giving the total to 0Day, he
would have defeated Moore by IA votes.
The growth of socialism is calculated to reduce
the democratic vote. This is not to say that some
republicans are not taking up with socialism, but
rather that republicans are not so apt to become so
cialists as are democrats More voters who profess
faith in democracy will become socialists than vii
voters who identify themselves with the republican
party The socialist vote in Catsop county is hurt
ing the democrats and generally socialism is oper
atng to the detriment of democrats elsewhere in th
state, and undoubtedly in the nation. We see NJ
reason why this condition of affairs should worry
the republicans.
AS the Journal points out, many socialists are
profoundly sincere in their convictions. Indeed
marked sincerity is absolutely necessary and quite
plain in the man who votes ticket which has nj
earthly snow OF immaculate success. Inc average 30
cialst does not want to win at present He explains
that conditions are not how opportune for socialism
and one Of the foremost socialists of the state ha
stated to the writer that victory for the socialist
at the present time would result in situation of af
fairs that would disrupt the enire system Of th
nation and that chaos would continue until NOR
conservative system were established. But the so
cialist believes it his duty to now sacrifice his vot
for the sake of those who will be here when the tim
Is ripe for socialism. Men who are 50 strongly wed
ded to principle as to cling to this idea are not ap
to return to the fold Of either of the great parties
which is just another way of saying that the demo
cratic organization will continue to suffer as the SO
eialist vote grows.