The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1906-02-23
AFTER RAND's SCALP.
Portland Labor Press.
for some tim


In a recent issue of the Portland
Labor Press the statement was made
that it would be disgrace to the
great state of Oregon to elect John l..
Rand of Baker county to Congress,
The reasons were set forth in support
of that statement. Rand is now ac-
lively canvassing this district In be-
half of the exalted position he aspires
to, and has complained bitterly of the
accusations made by this paper, and
says he has been mistreated. 1t is to
be expected that such plea will be
raised by Rand in extenuation OF
what he has done as state senator in
Oregon for two sessions. The Labor
Press said that Rand opposed all meas
ures submitted to the last two sessions
of the legislature by labor unions,
and there is plenty of evidence to
support this claim. There is not one
single instance on record where Rand
supported bona fide labor bill in
either the twenty second or the thirty
third sessions of the Oregon legisla-
ture, and at all times he was consider
ed by our representatives as an en-
emy to our cause. In addition to this
he was listed as corporation senator
and opposed to every reform measure
that in the least affected the inter-
ests of the combinations of wealth.
Three years ago he earned his reputa-
tion, and year ago this month he
ratified it. The Labor Press said that
he made the statement that he would
not only not support labor bill, but
that he would If he had his way, wipe
from the statutes every labor law
therein. This statement was brought
back from Salem by the men who
were sent to Salem to lobby for the
labor bills, who had approached Rand
for his support upon those measures.
The Labor Press made the statement
further that Rand was opposed to the
district primary law, and several peo-
pie from Baker county heard him say
SO, and personally told the editor of
this paper. This paper charged him
with being machine" politician,
and this he cannot deny. It also ac-
cused him of being opposed to Presi-
dent Roosevelt and his policy, and he
has been heard to malign the admins
tration, by responsible men.
This is all, so far. that has been
said of Rand, and he feels offended
because these things confront him
and threaten to destroy his ambitions.
1t is to be expected. 1t is enough to
render him unfit as representative
of the people Of Oregon, without dig
ging up other skeletons. But there
are others any one of which would
be sufficient to defeat!his aspirations.
It may be necessary to give his entire
record and show the good people of
! Oregon who the man is that comes to
them for their suffrage. There can
be no middle ground. Either Rand is
fit to represent the people of this state
in the halls of congress, or he is unfit.
The labor Press insists that he is unfit,
and will undertake from time to time
| to prove every statement that it
makes. Without entering into the
question of equity as to the charges
and convictions of Oregon's delegation
at Washington. excepting one, of
fraud, Oregon has become the ridi-
cule of the whole nation, and it is now
time to select men to congress who are
clean, able and honest. Is John Rand
clean Is he able? Is he honorable?
Mr.. Rand will endeavor to justify
his record in Salem. There are other
things he will not attempt to defend.
The least said about the latter the
better. He may even say that he made
a mistake, but be carnot shield him
self by charging it to youthful folly.
What Rand is answerable for aud
should be held responsible for is the
things done while in full possession
| of his faculties-of a grown-up man.
The Labor Press is not responsible for
Rand. 1t did not shape his career.
It scarcely knew of him until he help
ed to organize the state senate year
! ago against all labor bills, in the
shape of a special committee, known
as Manufacture and Industries, that
was used as burying place for all
labor bills that reached the senate.
1t did not shape his policy of antagon
ism toward the working people with
out cause. He made his own bed; let
him lie in it. Nothing that he can
now say can reconcile his actions of
the past. If he wants the support of
the working people now he should
have thought of it then. 1t is too
late now to lock the stable door.
John Rand can never secure the conf
dence Of the decent people. who,
thank God, are in the majority in this
district. There is certain moral
standard that should be required of
every man who aspires to high posi-
tions of trust in the government.