The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-02-18
rur FIRST ROUND.

rha defeat OF the Tuttie charter
blll was not a defeat Of the principles
of the republican party. but was rath-
or a victory for the boodling frater-
n,tv an;e,i with the democratic party.
In the contest the Astoria democrats
had the advantage. While the princi-
nal features Of the Tuttle charter bill
were approved and indorsed by large
number of the citizens of Astoria ir-
respective of party afiilications, yet ~
was denied fair consideration in the
legislature. The bill passed both houses
by a large majority, which was an
indication of popular feeling in AS
toria on the merits of the charter bill
but with democratic governor, wnoI
has always been willing to be the sub
servient tool of the gang of democratic
/, politicians who have to great ex-
tent controlled the political affairs OF
the city and county. aided and abbet-
ed by weak minded republicans. when
it came to passing the charter over
the veto OF a democratic politician.
the republicans had the short end Of
the fight.
While 1t is true that there were one
or two provisions Of the Tuttle char
ter bill that ought to have been elimi-
mated and which antagonized the
democratic mayor and republican
councilmen against it. the bill as
whole was approved by a very large
majority Of the tax payers of the city
who have voiced their sentiment;
against corrupt political ring, domi-
hated BY a corrupt police force in the
interests Of democratic supremacy
The provisions referred to and upor
which the principal fight was made
was the section cutting off the salaries
of the mayor and councilmen. Every
man elected to an Office upon stats
salary is entitled to that salary dur
ing his term of Office and every MAJ
that seeks to deprive him OF a Jus
and reasonable compensation for ser
vices rendered is doomed to defea
should he ever be an aspirant for
political Office.
The TuttIe charter bill was simpi
the first round in the battle Tor poiiti
cal supremacy. 1t may not be pos
ssble to secure legislation in the inter
ests of the community, but the pee
ple can be educated up to oppositio
to political chicanery and grating e1
isting under their very nose and eye
in the management of city affair
There are many important exposure
that will be made between now an
the city election. It is very probab
that many Of the votes now controiie
bv the democratic machine may
compelled to seek fields new and pa
lures green and ply their vocation
In some isolated precinct where u
laws are not enforced, the same
thew have been enforced in Astori
II is within the range Of human poi
sibility that the people may De ed'
Gated up to realizing sense OF u
utter disregard for the enforcemel
of laws in the city of Astoria that a
now protected by democratic I'll
and a democratic police force. II Il
people of Astoria, and particularly Il
republicans, desire to indorse and SUI
mort a rotten and corrupt polite
ring, it is their privilege, but there a
large number of intelligent vote
IN Astoria, who when the facts, a
published, win withdraw their su
mort from a political ring dominat
over by one man in the interests
gambling and prostitution. II after
campaign of education along the III
herein outlined, the majority OF
neonle desire the continuance in pow
of this element of corrupt politicia
and their disreputable cohorts, and
is indorsed at the polls, then VIII
f,gbt be abandoned and the democra
political ring maintained in power.
The Astorian has confidence In
honor and manhood Of the major
of the respectable element Of Asto
to believe that they do not desire
government of the city to remain
the hands Of the lawless element
open vlolators Of the law simply
maintain the supremacy Of the der
cratic party. The democrats have
= temporary victory aided and al
ted by a democratic governor and 7