The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-05-12

take it from the secrearys letter. aims to accom-,
lplish this end-the only one sought to be accom-.
plished by our state reformers,
Let us see whether or not this somewhat preposer.
Gus result would be attained. The democratic voter
of Multnomah county, following the terms of this
law, goes to the office Of the county clerk prior to
the time of the primary election and declares him.
self to be republican. A voter is whatever he may
choose to call himself-a democrat one election, a
the reformers neglects to provide that the will of
man shall be constantly the same Our democrat,
actuated by desire to participate in the republican
primaries thus declares himself falsely and in tho
primary election votes for the begerent republican
candidates, thereby adding his vote to the disrupt.
ing influence at work within the party organization
Of course, he is thus denied the right of voting for
democratic nominees but the reformers law is aimed
to keep "mercenaries' from interfering with the
other party, The mercenary is anxious only to spoil
the plans of the opposition and gladly sacrifices his
vote to accomplish that end Should there be a
factional fight in his party, he could choose
between the two-whether he would vote for the
beligerent republican candidates or cast his vote for
his favorites in his own party.
| Almost impossible conditions must be pictured to
aimed to fit the situation in Multnomah county
where political manipulators generally are so crooked
they could not well lie straight in bed. Our laws
can not with any regard for the rights of the peo
pie, make such provisions as are contemplated for
the purpose of applying them to warning factions
We have no such trouble in Clatsop Marion has no
such trouble nor has any other county in the state
outside Multnomah. Yet the law will apply with
equal detriment to all of the counties.
Yesterday an effort was made to say in these
protection to the republican employe of the demo
Icrat who insists that his yorkmen shall vote the
democratic ticket or vice versa as the case may be-
error on the part of the printer rendered the SEN
tence in question unntelligble causing it to greatly
resemble the spelling of oriental names.
Apart from its disregard of American principles
the law makes necessary two elections-the primary
election and that at which the successful candidates
of the various parties are voted upon in open compe
ttion at the polls. Why add this burden to candi-
dates and to the county? Why put public office
farther beyond the reach of the man of moderate
means9 Why should the prohibtionists, socialists
and other smaller parties be excluded from the
alleged beneficial provisions Of the law? Why pre-
sumo to change our present system on the ridiculous
hypothesis that all men are thieves or 'mercenar.
esq? Why attempt to force upon the people, through
bewildering legal expressions, law which is bound
to result in endless confusion, and law whose pro
visions can never be hoped to operate as the re-
formers intend? There is but one answer to all OIL
these questions scores of others that might
be asked: Simply because the politicians OF Multi
nomah county are, generally speaking, mercenares
The reformers direct primary law is worse than
useless it is legal abortion. Every man with any
regard for his own interests will not only vote
against this unjust un-American BILL but will urge
his acouaintances to do likewise When the reformers
offer something better than the Australian system,
the voters may be depended upon to support it. Butt
the proposed law must be defeated