East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-01-10

'Who will write the platform for
the different political parties under
the direct primary nominating law
since there will be no county conven-
tions held?" asks o. D. Teel, the we'll
known stockman of Echo who is in
the city looking after property inter-
ests this week.
The question is also being asked by
many people and every day the East
oregonian receives inquiries as to
when political platforms will be writ
ten and by whom, since under the
present nominating law, there will be
no county or state convention of dele
gates, unless it be for the express pur-
pose of writing and adopting plat
forms.
1t will not be proper to delegate this
important work to the county central
committee, and it will not be practical
to compel each candidate to write and
announce his own platform, so the
question is very pertinent to the politi-
cal program for the coming campaign
in this county and state.
at seems to me-" said Mr.. Teel to
the East Oregonian today that the
proper way to reach a satisfactory con-
clusion in this matter, would be to
hold a mass convention of the mem
bers of each party at separate times,
only the registered members of each
party to participate in their respec-
tive conventions, and this party con-
vention to adopt platform which the
various candidates of each party
should be pledged to support.
THE entire membership of the
parties should be allowed to take part
in making the party platform. Since
this is the reign of the people in politi-
cal affairs, through the initiative and
referendum and the direct primary
nominating law, let it be a reign of
the people in the highest degree, and
let each humble member of each party
have voice in shaping the platform
and policy of that party.
1.-THE present corrupt condition in
our state and national government has
been brought about by denying the
common people voice in making the
policies and in selecting the officials
Too much power has been delegated
to politicians and the people have en-
joyed too few privileges.
IF the people are to nominate can
didates it is only fair that the people
have a voice in making the platform
upon which their candidates will
stand, and therefore mass conven-
ton preceding the nominations, is alb
solutely necessary in order to formu-
| late a platform so the candidate and
the people may know what the party
stands for and what will be expected
from officials elected upon the various
platforms.
If something of this kind is not
done, each candidate will take a leap
in the dark, when he accepts a nomi-
nation, for he will not know what his
party platform will be and the people
Will take leap in the dark when
they nominate man, not knowing
whether he Will stand upon some plat
form to be formulated in the future. =.
There is perhaps more confusion
among the masses of the people as to
the exact working of the direct pri-
mary law than on any other public
question in the state today and some
thing definite should be decided upon
in order to put the people right.
Otherwise there will be infinite
confusion and many mistakes and the
law, which is highly democratic and
just, will be made to work an inius-
tice upon the voter and while it is pro-
gressive and safe, 1t will result in dis
satisfaction which may demand its re-
peal"