Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-12-08
Puzzle Disturbing
the Political Powers in Ma
tional Capital
SENATOR FULTON FACES DEFEAT
Queer Result of Republican Primary
May Result in Selection of Demo-
crat by Republican Legislature
oresons Primary Law Responsible
for Present Conditions.
Especial Correspondence

Washington, Dec. 8.-Some fine po-
litical manipulation is being devoted to
Oregon senatorial politics these days.
Senator Fulton, republican, was de-
feated for the republican. nomination
to succeed himself, Henry NJ. Cake get
ting the nomination. Cake in turn was
beaten in the state primary by Gov
ernor George Chamberlain, democrat.
Under the Oregon law a majority of
republicans had pledged themselves, in
choosing a senator, to stand by this
choice of the majority of voters;
wherefore the legislature, tho over
whelmingly republican, is pledged to
elect Chamberlain.
Senator Fulton has not accepted the
situation cheerfully, and neither have
a good many other republicans of the
state especially the politicians. oregon
gave a whooping majority to Taft, and
has Topped back squarely into the re-
publican list on everything save this
senatorship. The Fulton politicians
claim it was all a fraud and want the
republicans in the legislature to re-
pudiate their pledges and elect Fulton,
whether or no.
Will Administration Act?
The question has within the last
week been put up squarely to Wash
Mr. Taft countenance such Reputation
of pledges? If they will. the Fulton
people will win. A number of members
of the Oregon legislature stand ready
to take this course if they can only be
assured that they will have the sup
port of the national party organization.
Without that assurance they have
small disposition to put their heads
into the lions mouth of public opin-
ion. Most of them are so situated that
it is considered certain they would
commit political suicide to break their
agreements. But if they could secure
assurance that they would have the APP
prevail and moral support of the adj
,ministration. and perhaps some spe-
'cific recognition in the patronage dis
tribution, why, they would be willing to
take the chance.
There is only narrow margin be-
tween defeat and victory for Fulton.
If seven of the Statement No. 1" re-
.publicans in the legislature will re-
pudiate their pledges and vote for him,
along with the rest of the republicans,
who, because they did not subscribe
to statement No. are not obligated to
support the popular choice, 1t will be
possible to muster a majority against
Chamberlain. If this can be done, it
is declared, Fulton will get the sup
port instead of Cake; and the friends
of Fulton are making determined eff
fort to pry away the necessary num-
hero of votes.
The fact that Cake, not Fulton. was
nominated in the republican primary.
has been forgotten. 1t is recognized
that altho Cake was able to defeat-F'ul-
ton before the people, he has not the
political strength to do the business
in the legislature. If must be Fulton
or Chamberlain.
Fight Transferred to Washington.
Senator Fulton came to Washington
a fortnight ago, to handle his case
from here. Washington. as has been
said is now the real center Of the