The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-01-22
Pominent Business Men Favor the
TuttIe Amendment.
DEMOCRATIC IBULLD0ZlNG
Threats Made by the Boss That I'M
provements Will Be Stopped II the
Tuttle Charter Is Passed and
the City Left in Darkness.

In order to ascertain the opinions
of the prominent citizens and taxpay-
ers of Astoria on the proposed amend
ments to the city charter, representa-
tive Of the Astorian interviewed over
so, and with but single exception, the
position taken by the Astorian was
indorsed. The interviews were not
confined to republicans. but included
many prominent democrats. Every
one interviewed was in favor OF chang
ing the time for the general election
from December to June. Several OF
them were in favor of abolishing the
police commission entirely. but all.
with one exception. favored the ap-
pointment of a police commission COM
posed of one democrat and two repub-
licans to hold until the next general
election.
Dictator Smith, the democratic lead
er, is opposed to the whole shooting
match. He is opposed to anything that
viii not give the democrats all the Of
fees and perpetuate them in power. He
even got so warm in the collar that he
tried to intimidate Mr.. Coolidge of the
Electric Light Company to compel aim
to go to the republicans and compel
them to withdraw their amendments,
and that if the amendments were not
withdrawn, he with the assistance of
the democratic council would stop all
Improvements in the city and put out
all the electric lights. This is the sys-
tenn of bulldozing that has been used
by the democrats to carry the city and
county elections and elect democrats to
Office.
There is very large majority of the
best citizens of Astoria who want a
change in the administration of the po-
lice department. 1t is a well known
fact, said a prominent business man,
that the police have taken an active
interest in local politics, while the rules
of the department prohibit it. What
Astoria needs is a police force removed
from politics and this is impossible
under the present administration. Not
only do they take an active interest |
in city politics, but county politics as
well, and they use their authority to
compel men to vote to perpetuate the
democratic party in power.
A prominent democrat stated that /
he was opposed to the present manage
ment of the police force, for the reason
that there was no legal police COM
mission and efforts have been made to
file charges against certain officer,
but they were unabel to do so on ac-
count of there being no commission to
try them. Every republican interview
I'd, was in favor of the amendments
by Senator Tuttle, while
here are not a dozen men in the city l,
tut what are in favor of changing the
elections from December to June the =.
opposition being confined exclusively
o democrats who are holding office,
nd several Of the city officials, who
re democrats, are noncommital.
A prominent members of the cham
er of commerce stated that this was !,
he first time the democratic council :,
ad arrogated to themselves the au-
lority to prepare city charter. That ,
ne charter prepared by the common =,
ounci was prepared and adopted by
lat body, without even consulting
he chamber of commerce, and the
1amber was composed of all the larg- a.
st taxpayers of the city and ought to ;,
ave as much right to suggest amend q,
ents as the democratic council. If -
le Tuttle charter were to be submit =
ID to the chamber of commerce it >,
ould be ratified by a unanimous vote, q,
nd ii has more interest in Astoria b,
nd its charter than Boss Smith and =,
lie five democratic members Of the -
)mmon council. -,