Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1907-12-06
WHAT WILL you DO9
Is there Republican party in

N1SSoAA
For long that party was under
the domination, in this state, OF
a few selfish, self seeking men
who controlled the party organi-
zation for their own personal pur.
poses. Party principles were lost
to sight or wholly neglected. The
supreme test of ones republican,
ism was fidelity to the purposes
and interests of the party 'boss''
or "bosses. The same test de-
cided a mans fitness for public
Office. For no Office from ward
constable to governor, inclusive,
could any man not acceptable to
the party boss receive nomination
or be elected.
1t may be recalled that at the
behest of a ring of party bosses,
known as "the state ring" Col
ones Cornelius was nominated for
governor. This was done in spite
of the earnest protests of The
Oregonian, speaking for itself
and for scores of republicans who
firmly held to the principles of
the party but opposed petty, sell
fish, personal politics. The re-
suit Of this election was the cleo
ton of Pennoyer for governor.
The result would not have been
greatly different had the Oregon
ian given the most hearty sup
port to Cornelius, for many r q
publicans remained away from
the polls and many others voted
for the prohibition candidate.
D. P. Thompson was the next
republican candidate for COVER
nor. He was we'll qualified for
the Office, yet many of his per-
sonal friends, including the Ore
gonian, privately sought to dis
suade him from entering the race.
He was nominated but defeated
at the polls, largely if not wholly,
by the men who had supported
Cornelius.
We charitably pass the next
choice of governor with the re-
mark that under normal infuen-
ces and conditions that portion of
the states political history might
have afforded more pleasant
reading.
~It is not forgotten that the next
two candidates of the republican
party, w. J. Furnish and DR..
Withycombe were knitted to death |
at the polls by men calling them
selves republicans but who know
little of and care less for the
principles, pol cies and achieve
ments of the party.
1t is not only in Multnomah
and Marion counties that faction,
al ways selfsh. mischievous and
reckless exists. 1t is seen in
every county in the state. In
some counties it finds its express
sion in county papers which are
easily controlled by considera-
tions other than party principles
and policies, and the fitness of
men for public office.
Will this factional spirit be con-
tinued? Is there no Republican
party il Oregon? You must(
make answer. gentlemen. You
who have delighted in faction of
the rule or ruin sort must answer
these questions, answer them
ana unequlVOcally. ,
There are probably no fewer
republicans in the state than ever
before, but the number who will
support factionalism in the party
S, we believe, on the wane. 1t
certainly should be. For our t
selves faction and selfish purpose
need not look to us for any sort
II support. We believe in the I
of the Republican ]
,arty. We are proud of its his
Dry and its achievements, and I
hall continue to support its prin- 6
.iples and policies because they '
ire most beneficent.
What, republicans of Oregon, /
# Benton county, will you do?