The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1906-02-22


tudeous dimensions, the light of which
has penetrated the insalubrious mist.
This salutiferous ray, heralding the
approach of brighter days in local and
national politics, has prosaically been
named the primary Law"
Admittedly the law" with its va
rious provisions is in its embryonic
state and, perhaps, ought to be con-
sidered as only tentative, but all
things, important as well as unimport-
ant, have beginning, and by the
greatest of all laws, evolution, can
reach perfection only by gradual de-
velopment.
1t lies, however, even now to some
extent within the immediate power of
the voter (aur il is unquestionably
within his province to do so), to clear
out the political bog of the ferula
assafoetida, lymplocarpus foetidus
and kindred obnoxious creations
which are of no benefit to any one but
themselves and to few individuals
of their own ilk Reputable, discIim-
mating and humane physicians who
have Eot shed their human nature at
the dissection table are 10th to apply
the knife to any animated being, yet
1t sometimes happens that cases come
under their treatment which necessi-
tates extreme measures and the sur
geon's knife ust be employed.
Generally speaking, ] am not an ad-
vocate of the political knife, but, as
in the surgical so also in the politi-
cal craft, contingencies sometimes
arise which will yield to no other
treatment. If, therefore, in the per-
formance of our rights as reputable,
discriminating and humane citizens
of this commonwealth we find our
selves confronted with the unpleasant
task of "knifing." Let no moral
cowardice restrain lis from doing our
duty as it was given US to see it. Let
US do the joU thoroughly. Cut out
all the little fostering, humorous pro-
ductions which cluster upon the anus
of the body polite; apply the canter
that the fetidness emanating therefI ON
may not any longer offend decent
folk.
Beware of the magniloquous politi.
clans, social parvenus and inflated
corporation hirelings. All of them
have their own political darlings
whom they will endeavor to boost fol
their own selfish ends.
Under the stimulus of the primary
law the number of office ce-seeking in.
dividualJ will be as numerous az
cl~ms upon the seashore, though, alas,
their silence will be far from crusta-
cean. 1t is said that in numbers IL
safety, but there is often also contus.
ion. Study each candidate, take no.
tice of the numerous minor idiosyn-
cracies of which his character is made
up. Str"ws indicate the direction OF
the wind. The arts of physignomy
and phrenology will materially assist
you in lay ing bare his original sins.
Don't say this is bosh, because long
continued observance of these signs
conyi inces me that they are noL with
out certain merits.
Among the office seeking multitude
there are some good and honorable
men ho seek the office for the honor
it confers upon them, and not for sell
aggrundisement and pelf. Light your
lantern and look for the honest man.
| Dun u IUOh lUI UTdIu duu UTlllduCy vi
for statesmanship-not one in iiv'
hundred possesses those qualifications
most of them are very mediocre, the
rest of them below the standard, Il
mediocre is taken as a standard.
Study humanity and you will fine
this statement true, but study deer
and carefully. Do not make the com
mon mistake and think you see an in
tellectual sun when 1t is nothing bu
a ordinary substanceless tramp aim
lessly wandering in space, Haunting
his nebulous talk.
Again | say, light your lantern anC
look for the office seeker who is in
dubiLably honest. He needs boil
your company and your vote-you
company because he walketh the eartl
in great albeit consolatory lonesome
ness, and your vote because hi
chances Of winning the race is as on
to twenty.
Axel N. Rahm.