Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1906-04-13
PRIMARY DRAWS NEAR.

one week from LOday, Lne VOJefS Oh
Oregon will go to the polls and chose
their candidates for state, district and
county offices. There has been no
attempt in any quarter to evade the
provisions of the direct primary law,
but rather, general desire among
the voters, irrespective Of party affili-
liation, to give the new method of
selecting candidates fair trial. The
OBSERVER did not favor the passage
of this law, but has at all times advo-
Gated giving it fair test, believing
that in no other way can the people
determine whether they desire to re-
tain it upon the statute books.
In advocating a thorough test Of
this law upon its merits, the OBSERVER
has only urged that those things be
done that the law says must be done.
The signing OF Statement No. l is not
one Of these. The provision covering
this much-discussed pledge is not
mandatory, and it is plain that the
to be. The observance or non-observ-
ance of this section is left to the
judgment of the individual candidate.
To men who believe in the main
tenance of opposing political parties
as a means Of securing good govern
ment, any law that would force one
fn nInRt nj "a
party to next to the highest office |
within the gift of the people seems
unjust and unreasonable. While |
partisan prejudice is not as strong as
it once was in this country, the OBJ
SERVER is not prepared to believe that |
the American people are willing to
see political parties wiped out of ex-
istence.
The very fact that none of the three
Republican candidates for representa-
tive from Polk county have taken
this pledge proves that it is not
seriously demanded by the voters.
Had it been widely popular, some
candidate would have arisen to
champion it before the people. 1t is
only reasonable to conclude that the
Republicans Of Polk county want to
be represented by a man who will
vote for Republican for United
States Senator.
In the preliminary campaign just
the OBSERVER has endeavored
to be fair and impartial toward all can
didates for public office. 1t has sought
to coerce none into its way of think
ing, neither has it threatened any who
happen to differ with it's opinions. 1t
has permitted candidates to use a large
amount Of space usually devoted to
local and county news in presenting
their views on questions of public i'm
portance to the voters, and for pub
fishing this matter it has made no ,
charge. Space for pictures, letters
and testimonials Of Endorsement, and ,
all other like matter benefiting in !
dividual candidates only, has been ,
charged for at regular commercial
rates. While each has
been permitted to present his own
merits, we have permitted no caudi- ,
date to speak disparagingly of his !
opponents, All matter Of a personal
nature rejecting upon the character
or good name of another has been !
consigned to the waste-b basket, or !
returned to the sender. To !
the credit Of the candidates, it is only G
due to say that few articles of this :,
nature have been offered for publi- /;
cation. :
The contest between the candidates .
FOR the county offices has been notable )
50 far for the clean and good -natured =,
manner in which it has been con- ;
Quoted, and it is only reasonable to ;,
conclude that this friendship and
goodwill among the contestants will .
to the end. Such conditions
make it possible for all voters to line
up in support of their respective
tickets, when nominated, and to work =
ogether pleasantly and dharmoniously \
or party success. 1t Is now up to the :,
'eople to turn out at the primaries :,
md see that the best and most capable :,
nen are chosen for party standard y
'earers. :,