The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-06-08
FIRST PRIMARY ELECTION
Oregon Voting for Senator-Repub-
licans in a Mess.

Washington. June ga practical
test of al election of United States
Senator by the people will be made
in Oregon today. 1t will be the first
experiment in western state of the
primary system as applied to the
selection of a Senator. The Situa-
tion in Oregon has attracted parti-
cular attention here and both SEN
ators and Representatives are await
ing the result of the election with
deep interest.
The political situation in Oregon
is unique. The state is overwhelm-
ingly Republican, but the anomalous
coalition is presented Of the likeli-
hood Of the popular choice of Uni
ted States Senator falling to a
Democrat. The two candidates for
Senator are John NJ. Gearin, who
now is serving IA United States Sen
ator by appointment of the Governor,
and Jonathan Nj. Bourne. Gearin
succeeded Senator Mitchell, who died
after his conviction Of completely in
the Oregon land frauds, and while
his ease was pending on appeal be-
fore the United States Supreme
Court. He is man of irreproach-
able character and eminent ability
and is popular with the people. Mr..
Bourne also is a popular and able
man. aside from his political associa-
items. is not regarded as so strong
as his opponent. Both of the candi-
dates are residents of Portland.
The Republican party in Oregon
is practically liSmantled. :" far a>
organization is concerned. The pro-
Secution of the land fraud cases has
upset completely the normal political
conditions. One member of the Ma
tional House Of Representatives
from Oregon. Mr.. Williamson, is un-
der sentence of six months in Jail
on Il charge of having illegally got
ten possession of government lands.
The other Representative from the
state. Rin"el Herman, is under in
dictment here for destroying public
records when he was Commissioner
of the Public Land Office; and has
several indictments pending against
him in Oregon for conspiracy in the
land eases. Senator Fulton stands
mscathed as the real Republican
leader of the state.
The Oregon Legislature numbers
about one hundred. That the result
of hte senatorial primary election
may be carried into effect, candi-
dates for the Legislature have been
asked to sign a pledge to vote for the
the senatorial candidate who shall
receive. the largest number of votes
at the primary. Some of them have
signed the pledge and others have
not. The chances are, however, that
the Legislature will carry out the
will of the people as expressed at
the election.
Among political observers here
who have kept in touch with the
Oregon situation, the belief is held
that Senator Gearin has at least an
even chance of succeeding himself.
It is conceded even by Gearin 3
friends, that, on national issues or
at national election, a Democrat
would have poor chance of success
in the state; but it is known that
Gearin is very strong personally and,
on account of the disorganization Of
the Republicans, he is likely to be
successful.
Already speculation is rife as to
the effect of his success in the sena-
tori al contest. 1t is not regarded
generally, however, that the election
Of Mr.. Gearin will affect the state
politically OH presidential politics.
p. II. MCGOWAN.