The Washington times., 1908-12-05
FAST, MERRY WAR ON
IN OREGON POLITICS
Republican Legislature Pledged TO Support Democratic
Candidate for Senate and Leaders Don't Know
Whether to Run Counter to Public Opinion or Not.
Bv 7. C. WELLIvER.

Roosevelt or Mr. Taft for his campaign.
The Fulton people put up the argt-
me1t that the Democrats did not vote
i'm good faith at the primaries, there
fore that Republican legislators are alb
solved from their pledges. Ihey argue
thus.
I'm the Fulton-Cake Republican
primary great numbers of Democrats
listed themselves as Republicans ana
generally sup ported Cake, not because
they wanted MIN but because, knowing
the contest was close between him and
Fulton, they wanted to have the Re
publicans nominate the weaker man,
and thus give Chamberlain, VINO was
very strong with the people a cnance
10 win at the rolls
Democrats Elected Cake.
II is charged. further. that the scheme
worked perfectly: the Democratic vote
nominated Cake over Fulton; Cake was
weak with the people. the Democrats
and many Republicans lined up for
Chamberlain in the general election, and
Chamberlain won. Must the Repubii-
cans execute their pledges under such
circumstances. when they claim they
were trapped by the Democrats?
The argument OF strictly practical
politics has been used by Senator Full
ton. the argument that the Republican,
ought not lose a Senatorial seat that
=
even 20 this. Some of the powers o.
the Republican party have opined that
IL would bring about political anarchy
IN Oregon TO have the Legislature repu-
/ diate the primary. The Oregon law ls
the most striking and effective approach
To popular election of Senators that has
get been accomplished. 1t has been
widely commended 10y people Of all par
ties, the country over Many OF the
Southern States have somewhat similar
plans of bringing the SenatOrship down
close TO the people. #. then. the ma
uUnal Republican party should lend it,
influence 70 a scheme OF repudiating the
primary result IL would place that party
pretty squarely on record against the
whole EFFORT to pOpulaTize Senatorial
elections.
Bourne for Chamberlain.
Senator Jonathan Bourne, colleague Of
NIr Fulton. and also a Republican
stands squarely and strongly for the
election OF Chamberlain by the Legisla-
ture. Mr.. Bourne takes the position
that the legislators ought to stand by
tile law and their pledges. He thinks
it would be political ruin for tbs. ore
EOu Republicans to encourage anything
else
MT. Bourne has been living at Hot
Springs for several months, cultivatiuE
the good graces OF Mr.. Taft in this
and other matters. Mr.. Fulton came Z
/ Washington TO do whatever he might
! with the President. Now comes Gov
eUnoT Chamberlain to town, to loOH
after his interest He has made the
| discovery that tho real night has beer
( transferred to this side Of the continent
and doesn't want to be too far from
/ the scene Of action. II Is understood
/ he will see President Roosevelt, and
/ that possibly the question may come
/ UP. The governor comes nominally fOl
/ the conservation congress. but politics
has much 10 do with the visit Hg
wants no moro than that the higher
| powers OF the Republican party keeT
/ hands of, and let Oregon carry on iti
/ own fights.
/ Chairman Hitchcock, Of the Republi
| can national committee, is reputed r
/ EympathiZe with the Fulton contention
| and 10 be willing that something should
/ be done TO help the Republicans save
| the Senatorial seat. But the best in
] formation obtainabIe is that neiihe1
/ the President nor Mr.. Taft IS fTie4dl]
| 70 the scheme Of getting legislators Z
! dump their obligations.