East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-12-13

principal figures of one of the bitter
est political fights in the history OF
the state. The factions were lined up
for deadly combat. At that time, and
for that matter for many years pre-
vious. Ben Holiday was Oregon's
railroad king. Holiday was behind
Mitchell. Mitchell was the issue of
this battle The Holiday crowd
charged Corbett with having opposed
certain railroad measures. Corbett's
friends disputed this with might and
main and declared that Mitchell was
tied hard and fast to Holiday. Then
the Corbett followers as a campaign
slogan quoted an utterance made by
Mitchell which was, Whatever is
Ben Holladay's politics is my politics,
and whatever Ben Holiday wants l
want"
Mitchell Defeats Corbett.
In spite of this Mitchell was elect
ed to the senate and Senator Corbett
was defeated. This was the beginning
of his long senatorial career His
term expired in 1873. Here the po-
litlcal map of Oregon changed and
the democrats went into power. Mitch
ell was candidate. but the toga went
to James II. Slater, a democrat. In
1880 there was no session. and the
battle was stilled until 1882. Once
more the candidacy OF Senator Mitch
ell was an issue in Oregon politics.
The struggle between the Mitchell
faction and the Corbett followers was
bitter, but the contest which followed
in 1882 caused that memorable event
to pale into significance. Many re-
publicans opposed to the candidacy
of Senator Mitchell were elected, but
Mitchell had the majority of repub-
licans. The solid IS was born. nine
OF them came from Marion county.
Neither side would give or take, and
the battle waged throughout the en-
tire session of the legislature. 1t took
46 to elect, and Mitchell started out
with 40 votes, and held them with
hardly single loss.
The result was that Mitchell went
down to defeat and ]. N. Dolph was
elected. When 1t came time for the
next Senatorial election, the time Of
the meeting of the legislature had
been changed. January was set for
the time of holding the election in the
odd years. so the 1885 election took
place in January instead of Septem-
ber. Senator Mitchell was not n can
didate but he held a political hand
that was formidable. He rallied his
forces for Sol Hirsch. Here followe 1
another struggle. So determined and
unyielding was the character of the
fight that the session adjourned with
out electing a senator.
Democrats Vote for Mitchell.
The following fall Governor Moody
| called special election and right
early in the session, the politicians
| being weary of the protracted tur-
moil Senator Mitchell was elected by
a combined republican and demo-
cratic vote, some II democrtas cast
ing their ballots for him. In 1891
Senator Mitchell was returned to the
senate without opposition.
Then followed the free silver craze.
Senator Mitchell became a conspicu-
Gus and persistent advocate of the
| W1lte iHcldl SSliiShi ~
the republican party followed. In
1897 the legislature met. A caucus
was assembled and nominated Mitch
ell for senator.
| But the gold republicans Joined
with the democrats and populists In
q refusal to organize the lower house,
and what was called the famous leg
islative holdup came into being.
There was no election of senator from
| Oregon.
In the special session called In
1898, Mitchell was not a candidate
Joseph Simon was elected by the gold
wing of the party. In 1901 G. w
Mcbride, an ally of Senator Mitchell's
was candidate for reelection. He
was supported by Senator Mitchell
but he was defeated, and he turned
his strength to Mitchell. The ses
sion lasted 40 days, and Senator
Mitchell was elected at the last hour
, He was serving this term when III
died Four times he was elected t
: the senate. thrice he was unsuccess
full. In all of his contests but on
: there was much strife and acrimony
e In the states of Kansas, California
: Oklahoma and Texas. the acreage o
winter wheat is 6 per cent create