The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-09-29
ONE IDEA OF FAIRNESS.

And now comes our virtuous friend the Oregonial
teeming over with pure sentiment, appealing fo
fair trial of the direct primary law. 'No attemp
to repeal or nullify the law should be eountenanee
until it has had fair trial. declares our uprigh
contemporary, after first having imputed question
able motives to those who have opposed the abortiv
measure
The opponents of the direct primary law are quit
willing to be fair, but they are decidedly advers
to being duped. The direct primary law is just a
clearly unconstitutional as any law ever was, ant
we have the decision of the supreme court of on
own state for it. Why, then, do we find the Ore
gonian asking fair play for the measure? If th
law is void why not have it declared so at the earlies
possible date? Why prolong muddle that vii
cause more trouble than was ever before caused il
Oregon because of bad legislation? Is there any
thing to be gained by this sort of thing If So WI
would be obliged to the Oregonian if it would SCI
forth the benefits.
The advocates of the direct primary law have al
along been strikingly unfair. They knew the title
of their pet measure would appeal to the cupidity
of the masses and they worked the situation for all
it was worth Even during the campaign, and ever
since the law was enacted they have been kept busy
defending it. Never have the exponentS of the
measure pointed out one beneficial result which could
possibly accrue, except that democrats would under
the operation of the law, be prevented in measure
from interfering with the republican primaries. If
there is any merit in the law worthy the designation
why doesn It the Oregonian or the Salem Statesman
point it out? Why do these and other journals in
sist that the unconstitutional law shall be forced
upon us? The spectacle of influential newspapers
striving to bolster up law which is plainly at vari-
ance with the constitution is indeed ridiculous one.
1t is also worth the while to consider the Oregon
ian's declaration that Senator Fulton has opposed
the law because it would operate to his disadvantage
Perhaps only about one voter in 80 knows anything
about the law so we will explain that it provides for
the nomination of United States senators by direct
vote of the people Now it is conceded that Senator
Fulton is by far the most popular man in Oregon and
in view of this circumstance it is difficult to under
stand by what process of reasoning the Oregonian
arrives at the conclusion that the law would operate
to the political detriment of Oregons junior repre-
sentative ID the upper Dranch OF the congress. lhlS
bit of argument on the part of respectable Port
land contemporary is quite in line with the argr-
ment which has been put forth generally in defense
of the new law.
The Oregonan suggests for the benefit Of the SUI
preme court that the law must not be declared I'M
constitutional unless it is absolutely clear" that its
provisions render it void adding that its constitu-
tionality is not doubted outside of Clatsop county
We believe the supreme court would not unnecessar-
lily declare void any law, and the ntimation that
our highest tribunal might render a decision based
on sentiment rather than constitutional principles
is to state the situation very mildly, rather poorI
defense Of the measure. The registration law was
quite important to voters as the direct primary
law, yet the measure was declared void because it'll
failed in identically the same manner that the pr
mary law fails. Andwhen the supreme court put its
stamp of dsapproval upon the registration law our
Portland friend did not intimate that the decision
was questionable
So it will be seen that the Oregonan s idea of fair
ness differs very materially from the idea which is
generally entertained by men who appreciate the
meaning of the term.