East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-11-30
PendIetOn's Retiring Mayor is
Not Looking for Congress
SiUnaI HonorS.
TO BE MAYOR is
ENOUGH AT PRESENT.
Congressional Nomination Is Discuss
ed by Mayor James A. Fee-Direct
Primary Law Has Revolutionized
Political Matters and Pendleton's
Efficient Mayor Asks Time to Con-
slider Before Accepting Any Fur
ther Nominations.

! Pendleton, Nov. 30.-(Editor East
Oregonian.)-I have always consid-
cred 1t lack Of good taste to decline
nomination before rendered; but
my notions Of political propriety were
formed during convention days,
therefore, they do not apply since the
enactment Of direct primary law,
which has revolutionized politics as
well as political methods.
Then, a mans enthusiastic friends
and admirers advertise his qualifica-
tions for office: but now the candi--
date does all this for himself. He
sends his photograph to people Of all
political compilations He remains at
home and licks postage stamps; hires
certain number of inches of adver-
teislng space in many newspapers,
and opens up his campaign of hot
air and self-laudation.
He must have money to pay ex-
penses or he will be like the prov
erbial white chip. The more money
he has the better campaign he can
make. This law was made for the
rich, not the poor man; for the news
paper, not the orator; therefore, as
office seeking must now be classed
among the luxuries, take pleasure
in notifying my friends l have taken.
to tall timber" until 1 become ac-
customed to the new order of things
and accumulate sufficient money to
become a candidate.
Judge Lowell has paid me the
compliment of connecting my name
with the congressional nomination.
and thank him for the honor; but
having served as mayor of Pendleton,
for two years, l am surfeited with
honors and curses, and feel that I
could not. without loss of dignity,
descended from the mayors office to
the more humble position of con-
gresham.
Besides, want to remain at home
and see what the people are going to
do to my successor. l want to see
the garden of municipal joy blossom
around him for a couple of years.
Before Judge Ellis accepted his
last nomination he voluntarily ten
dered me his assistance if I would
declined and supported him, which :
feel under obligation to do again
should he seek the place.
have a special interest in his re-
for he is a resident OF
Umatilla county, and prefer a man
from here for any office from presi-
dent to scab inspector, because 1
have direct evidence of the ability
of our citizens to fill these places,
while 1 have to rely upon hearsay
when a candidate comes from abroad.
cannot agree with Judge Lowell
Mr.. Ellis ability, although
I will admit when Ellis was in con-
gress before l entertained similar
views to those expressed.
/ have this excuse, however, to Of
Ter: my opinion was based on purely
nearsay testimony. had little
knowledge of the actual amount OF
irudgery q congressmans constitu-
ency expect him to perform and far
ess knowledge regarding either the
character or the ability of Judge
Ellis.
After he went on the bench learn
ID to respect his ability but above
III his sterling honesty, his absolute
'airness and impartiality won by es-
eem and no man who ever sat upon
he circuit bench of the state has a
better standing before the supreme
,ourt.
JAMES A. FEE.