Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1908-01-24
CANDIDATES ARE SCARCE
Coming Campaign in Polk County
Promises to Be Quiet and
Uninteresting.

4 Despite the fact that less than three
months remain before the primary
election, little interest is manifested
In affairs political in Polk county
Walk down the street, or go out into
the country, and you will hear the
voters discussing business conditions
or hops or mohair or apple orchards,
but you will scarcely hear the subject
OF politics mentioned. Judging from
all present indications, the approach
ing campaign will be short and unin-
teresting. The existing state of affairs
is doubtless due TO the existing Direct
Primary law, the provisions of which
have operated to destroy party organ
zation and make the race for Office a
sort of every-fellow-for-h
the-devil-take-the- e-hindmost contest.
The adjustment of the Office Of State
Senator and placing the county in a
joint district with Benton county is
also responsible in large measure
for the prevailing inactivity.
Indications now are that the con
test will center around the county
offices and that little, If any, opposi-
ton will be offered to the election Of
Republican Representatives to the
Legislature. The Democrats Of Polk
county have shown little interest in
the fight for legislative honors for
many years, evidently preferring to
exert their efforts in capturing some
OF the more lucrative county offices.
The only candidate for Representative
mentioned by the Republicans so far
is Q. l.. Hawley, Of Mccoy, who was
defeated for the nomination by DR.
B. e. McCallon two years ago by the
narrow margin of 81 votes. Mr.. Haw-
ley's clean and dignified course in that
campaign and his loyal support of the
successful nominee won for him the
warm friendship Of all members Of
his party, and the opinion is generally
expressed that he will have no opposi-
tion for the nomination this year in
the event that he decides to enter the
race.
For Joint Representative, B. F.
Jones, the incumbent, is generally
regarded as the logical candidate, both
in Polk and Lincoln counties. His
record in the last Legislature was
highly creditable, and past campaigns
have shown him to be vote.getter Of
no ordinary ability. Mr.. Jones, how
ever, has not yet expressed a desire to
fill the office again, and it is not known
whether he is even considering the
nomination.
The OBSERVER mentions these two
men at this time for the reason that
they are the only ones it has heard
talked of for these offices. 1t may be
that the next few weeks will develop
number Of candidates for the impor-
tant honor of representing Old Polk in
the lower house Of the Oregon Legis-
lature.
County Judge Coad will be candi-
date for denomination at the pri-
maries, and friends of Commissioner
Riddell are urging him to permit his
name to be used for a second term.
Both Of these officers have served the
county for four years, and the argu-
ment is put forth in their behalf that,
having become thoroughly familiar
with their work, they are in a position
to serve the county to its great advan-
tage and benefit, especially in matters
concerning the maintenance and
improvement Of the county roads and
bridges. The present court has proved
its business ability, and its manage
ment of the county's finances appears
to have met the approval of the tax
payers,
No candidate has appeared for the
Republican nomination for Sheriff,
nor does it seem likely that any great
scramble will be made for that Office
this year. Sheriff Grant is a faithful
and efficient officer, and as such, is
reasonably certain of reelection under
the unwritten, but long established,
rule in Polk county that gives an Off
Ger a second term where he has proved
himself worthy and capable during
his first term. Sheriff Grant has filed
both Of these requirements in full
measure. Young and ambitious
Republicans who have a desire to fill
the Office ofSheriff of Polk county will
doubtless prefer to postpone their can
didacy until two years from now, when
they will not be handicapped by the
second-term custom.
No candidate has yet announced
himself for the Office of County Clerk.
1t is not known whether Clerk Smith
has any aspiration to succeed him
self, but there are many in his party
who would like TO see him enter the
race, feeling confident that his good
record in the last four years would
win him the Office for another term,
County Assessor Graves, who is just
finishing his first term, is up to his
eyes in work just now, preparing for
the Spring assessment, and If he has
expressed his desires as to a second
term, we have not heard of it. Mr..