The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-06-07
PORTLAND ELECTION.

A man who has the support and en-
dorsement of the oregonian, is doomed
to defeat. is a statement made for Il
long time prior to the municipal election
in Portland. Whether this was from a
political or moral standpoint is not
stated, but probably a little of both. 1t
is we'll known fact that Mr.. Scott is a
candidate for the United States senate
and has been conspicuous as dictator
on municipal affairs in Portland, The
Oregonian attempted TO carry water on
both shoulders. 1t had been pandering
TO the church element by advocating a
closed town. and supported man for
mayor, whom it is understood was in
favor of an open town. 1t lost its infu-
enee and incidentally the election.
There was no partisan politics in the
mayorality contest, 1t was question
of an open or closed town and the ad-
yocates of law and order, morality and
decency, won. There is and has been
strong undercurrent of sentiment for
nulated in Portland against gambling
and against the business and political
affairs of the city being run by the dis
reputable element. 1t has resulted IN
sewer and bridge scandals, in corrupt
administration of municipal affairs and
the question really at issue was shall
this system of corruption continue;
shall Portland be a wide open or a closed
town. The time is past in Oregon when
wide open cities shall obtain. The in
fux of eastern people are creating a
better and more healthful moral senti'
ment. There is an undercurrent of feel
ing, a quiet vote that will manifest itself
in every city and town in Oregon when
opportunity affords. The result OF the
election in Portland will have tendency
to strengthen the hands of the officials
in other cities that are making an at
tempt to enforce the laws as they ex.
ist upon the statute books. There has
never been a time in Oregon for the
past FIVE years when there was a senti-
ment in favor of wide open towns, ex-
cept as it existed among the class who
reaped a benefit from the lax enforce
ment of the laws and ordinances. 1t is
really the first opportunity this element
have had of expressing themselves at the
ballot box and they certainly did so in
a manner that cannot be misunderstood.
1t is evidence that politics cannot be
dominated in preference to the expressed
will of the people, and although crime
and immortality may obtain for awhile
under police and municipal protection,
its complete overthrow and the estab.
lishment of a government OF the people,
for the people and by the people is the
inevitable result of municipal corruption.
The same issues and the same ques.
tions will be before the people Of Astoria
at the approaching December election,
and there is no question of the result
The same undercurTent of sentiment
that exists in Portland has made itself
manifest in Astoria, and no matter how
popular a man is who aspires for polit.
ical preferment in municipal affairs, he
must be positively known to be man
who favors closed town and who will
have the moral courage to stand by his
convictions.
When this sentiment becomes
thoroughly engrafted in every city and
hamlet in Oregon; when law and order
obtains recognition at the hands Of the
people. then, with all Of the grand pos.
sibilities of Oregon. it will be in better
position than ever to invite the honest
and progressive homeseekers from the
east. whose environments have been
among the cultured and refined and who !
seek homes in a state where they can /
rear their children to honorable and use.
full careers without temptations being
thrown in their paths at every nook and
corner of a wide open municipality.
LAX ENFORCEMENT OF LAW.
Even the members of the common coun |