The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1906-04-06
AS PORTLAND GOES
PRIMARY LAW WILL REVOLU-
TIONIzE OREGON POLITICS.
Demand for Reelection of Governor
Chamberlain Is By No Means
Partisan One.


ial Correspondent. The new primary
law, which will be tested at the polls
the coming election, will probably
work complete revolution in Oregon
politics. It is still an untried measure
but it is easy to prophesy that SO far
as boss rule in Oregon is concerned,
this is the beginning of the end. The
trend of recent events is in the direc-
tion of higher code of civic ethics
and cleaner administration Of gov
ernmental affairs. This argues we'll
for the reelection of Governor Cham
berlain and United States Senator
GeaIin.
The demand for the reelection of
George E. Chamberlain is by no
means partisan one. His admins
tration of the Office has been so clean,
fair, economical and so entirely free
from political trickery that there has
existed all through bis term, steadi-
ly increasing desire on the part of
the conservative and fair minded
voters, that he continue at the helm
of the state for another term.
This is one of the evidences of an
awakened public conscience and of
the destined overthrowing of the Ore
gon bosses.
The recent resignation of Republi-
eau State Chairman Frank g. Baker
is another demonstration along this
line.
The wisest of the republican war
heelers in Portland can find no salts
factory explanation of Mr.. Bakers
abdication. 1t may mean that the
republican junta will have no money
to spend during this campaign. 1t
may mean that the late chairman sees
the handwriting on the wall, and
having no inclination to wage losing
fight, had rather strike his colors now
than later. The fact remains that
the former boss went to the national
capitol, saw the wise men of the
east, returned home, and in the par
lance of the street, threw up the
sponge.
Nearly all of the republican aspir-
ants for governor are in Portland,
each confident of his nomination.
The keynote of the campaign is this:
''As Portland goes, so goes the cleo
ton" 9. A. Johns and DR.. James
4 Withycombe both claim predominant
strength in the metropolis and each
of these gentlemen spurn the idea that
Ex-Governor Geer is in the race.
However, it is entirely probable
that the vote the tall statesman from
the Waldo Hills will receive will be
wonderful surprise to his competi-
tors. DR.. Withycombe, on the
strength of his connection with the
Agricultural college and by having
conducted numerous farmers insti-
tutes at state expense, poses as horny
handed son of the soil. He sings
bucolics; but his notes are those of an
amateur. Geer is the real thing.
Possibly the biggest success of his
life was achieved on his farm at
Macleay. Still, the other leaders are
inclined to underestimate his popular
ity and when the votes at tho pri-
maries are counted, the four most
astonished men in Oregon will likely
be Charles Augustus Johns, Harvey
X. Brown, Charles A. Sehlbrede and
DR.. James Withywcombe.
Democrats as well as republicans of
liberal and independent tendencies
are much edited over the large demo-
cratic registration in Multnomah
county. 1t clearly indicates that the
people are doing their own thinking
this year and in large numbers are
breaking away from their old republi-
can moorings to vote for the best men
for state offices regardless of party
affiliations.
A very gratifying feature of the
political situation, and one that is
new to certain extent, is the ease
and facility with which the demo-
cratic state ticket was filled with the
very best and ablest men in the state.
In former years it has sometimes been
exceedingly difficult to obtain the
consent of men to stand as democratic
candidates for all the offices, that
We're in every way entirely suitable.
No such obstructions will mar the
success of the party this year. In
every instance, men of strictest integ-
rity aud of the highest personal
character, have asked for places on
this state ticket
The democratic candidates to be
voted for at the primaries April 90,
follow:
Governor. George L. Chamberlain.
Portland.
United States Senator, John NJ,
Gearin, Portland.
Justice of the supreme court, I. q.
HALEY, Pendleton.
Attorney general, Robert A. Miller,
Portland,
State printer, ]. Scott Taylor,
klamath Falls.
Secretary of state, Paul Il. Shroat.
Salem.
State treasurer, ]. D. Matlook,
Eugene.
congressman, first district, Charles
V. Galloway, MoMinnville, P. A.
Cochran, Woodburn.
Conprassman second district