Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-11-01
why NOT BEN NSHEEKS
If There IS A REASON THE VOTER
SHOULD POSSESS IT.
a Talented Nan is Named for Office
That Demands the Best We Have.
Politics Are Cutting Small Ice in
the present Campaign, and Chronic
Politicians Are Weary.

publican friends for the office of
state senator, no one ever hears a
word about the democratic nominee
the Hon. Ben Sheeks, and the ques
tion is asked, why? The answer is
easy. The republican nominee ran
around the county, spending money
lavishly in the endeavor to secure
what he deemed equivalent to elec
tion, that is, the nomination.
If this course be correct one
then the Herald is ignorant of the
first principles of the government
under which it lives. We are, pre-
sumably-and so far as the paper
can influence really-a democratic
republic. To be sure, as in all ages
crafty men seek gain from govern
ment, and they are always found in
the political party in ascendency
That this class is successful in any
degree is due alone to the fact that
the average voter abdicates his fran
chise in favor of proxy.
One Of the most familiar forms of
the 'Stand-by-your-party" mans ar
gument is that you must be "par-
lyman or traitor In the present
campaign the voters of Chehalis
county have choice of two men for
state senator. This paper has dis
cussed them both at length in a pre-
vious issue, without, we hope, dis
paragement to either, while express
ing our preference for Mr.. Sheeks,
and this reminds us that last year,
when Mr.. Sheeks was an unwilling
candidate for mayor, that we re-
ceived the following letter from Rob-
ert Montgomery, of Puyallup, Wash.
one of the brainiest editors in the
state:
Puyallup, WASH, Dec. 2, 1905.
John J. Carney, Esq,
Aberdeen, Wash:
My Dear Sir:--I notice by the
Herald just at hand that Ben Sheeks
has been nominated for mayor of
your city. Knowing, as I do, the
retiring nature of Mr.. Sheeks and his
utter distaste for political warfare
and public office, must confess that
his reasons for consenting to run are
to me a matter of curiosity.
You stated it mildly, indeed, when
you said that Mr.. Sheeks twill far
and away make the best mayor of
any third class city in the state of
Washington" The real fact is that
in the office of mayor he would have
no peer, in the respect of ability, in
any city of whatever class on the
Pacific Coast. He is a man of pro-
found learning-not only in the law,
but in the realm of history, litera-
ture and political science.
Few realize the depth and breadth
of Mr.. Sheeks' knowledge, because
few have the pleasure and privilege
of close acquaintance with him. He
doesn't carry his friendships on his
sleeve for DAVIS to peck at. He must
be cultivated. He is a man of few
words. Thinkers are seldom proliX
and, moreover, as a rule, they are not
what are popularity called "good mix
ers.'
l have had the honor to know Mr..
Sheeks intimately for over IL years.
He is a man among men. lie would
grace any office within the gift of the
people. His administration of what
ever public post to which he might
be chosen would be clean, able, dig
nified and efficient.
I trust that the citizens of Aber-
deem will have the provision, the
good sense and Judgment to improve
the privilege and opportunity which
is now theirs to elect man Of truly
great proportions mayor of their
city.
Respectfully,
ROBERT MONTGOMERY.