Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-04-12
Ell. SMITH FOR SENATOR.

Rosc1urg douglas Co. Spokesman.
The senatorial candidates are
pressing their claims before the Re-
publican primaries through the news
papers. These are to be duly con-
sidered. They present the point of
view of the candidate as to his own
interests.
But after all the real question is
the peoples question. The candi-
dates interests are only subordinate.
The people will very likely examine
the question from their own point of
view. We do not mean to censure
any candidate for making his claims
before the public in the newspapers
in any manner that he may see fit
to use. 1t is his privilege and it is
entirely proper that he announce the
principles that seem to him most i'm
portant. But for the high Office of
United States Senator the best cri-
terion is the man himself, his record
and life, and not what he, himself
says, or his friends say for him. For
that office, since he is to be named
by the people, a man known to the
people is the onl V man eligible He
on ght to know the state. and all of
its needs and industries. and the
people ought to know him. That
is the reason why we think that Mr..
Smith, of Hood River, is a good can
didate.
Mr.. Smiths view has always been
large view in political matters. His
party has always been to him as the
great instrument of public good, and
not merely machine for the salts
faction Of private ambition. He has
always been faithful to it, and faith
full in that very large sense that his
influence has been in the party coun-
sells toward the highest ideals. But
his influence is not limited to his
party activity. From one end of the
state to the other Mr.. Smith has
been foremost in matters and things
affecting the material interests of
the state He has, therefore, come
in contact with every section of the
state, and is thus able to look upon
Oregon as a great state, and not
mere arena for petty controversies
as a field of varied industries and
enterprises, and not of special or
narrow interests. Mr.. Smith has
knowledge wide enough and char
acter broad enough to take in all in
terests, all enterprises and all classes.
The commercial interests will not
suffer from him because he is a man
of affairs. The agricultural interests
will be taken care Of, because he has
an intimate acquaintance with agri-
culture and horticulture. He under
stands the relation of transportation
to commerce and of commerce to
production. and so is able to see wise
" and decide justly in matters af-
fecting the whole body of the people,
and of each and every part thereof.
The character and person of Mr..
Smith are such as to command at
tention in any deliberative body
whatever. His presence is forceful,
his judgment sound, and his integ
rity beyond question.
We think he ought to be elected
by the people in order that the state
of Oregon, which is entitled to nu-
merical representation in the United
States Senate with the other states
of the Union, shall also be equally
represented in character, influence,
ability and power. We believe if
the people will consult their own in
terest and that of the state in gen.
eral, Mr.. Smith would receive the
almost entire vote Of the state. A
good man, clean man, free from
factions, earnest and above reproach,
be deserves the nomination and the
state needs him.