Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1908-04-21
THE PRIMARY ELECTION.

MOSb OF bulB LdIk dDO1L OeuOcIdbt
registering as Republicans for the
purpose Of defeating Republican can
dldates is the yeriest stuff and nom
sense. Where and who are the Demo
Gratis that have registered as RepubIi-
cans7 Who are they here in Polk
county, We asked Clerk Smith yes
terday how many Democrats had reg
istered as Republicans. and he said be
didn't know Of any. Down 10 Port
land the other day, we asked the same
question and we're told that while II
was doubtless true that few Demo
Gratis had registered as Republicans,
the rumor that any great number had
30 registered was likely one that could
not be verified by the records. One
man said he couldn't call TO mind any
Democratic politician Of Multnomah
who had 30 registered. Another
said be thought the reports from Multi
nomah county had been oyerdrawD,
but that be had heard the Democrats
were registering as Republicans In
great numbers In Southern Oregon.
And 30 It goes. 1t is all rumor, and
very silly rumor at that. Before the
primary, we heard that the Democrats
were registering as Republicans In
order that they might vote for Fulton,
who, 1t was claimed, they considered
would be an easier candidate to defeat
in June than Mr.. Cake. Now, we
hear that they registered as Republi-
cans for the purpose Of nominating
Cake because they believed he would
be weaker candidate than Fulton.
Getting right down to facts, there Is
precious little truth IN either report.
Scarcely half Of the Democrats 10 Ore
gon registered at all, and half OF those
that did register did not take interest
enough 10 the election 10 vote
What are we whining about, any
way7 Are we men, or are we nicer
Here we have a state that gives Re- !
publican Presidents 10000 majoritles
and elects Republicans TO nine-tenths
of the state and county Offices, and still |
we are whining around and cussingi the |
Democrats. Why, bless you, brethren,
the Democrats Of Oregon would never
be heard Of IL we would only quit
advertising them. Republicans who
have worked themselves into a big /
sweat for fear George Chamberlain
may be the next Senator from Oregon
are only making themselves ridlcu-
Ious. George Chamberlain has no
more chance OF winning the United
States Senatorshlp In Oregon than
Bill Taft has OF carrying Alabama, or
Bin Bryan, Pennsylvania. The Re-
publican voters OF Oregon are not
going 10 elect Democrat to an Office
next Ia Importance TO that Of President
OF the United States. An occasional
politician. here and there,
may go to the polls and vote against
his party, but such men will be few 10
number. That $4,000 majority Is a
loyal majority. It is not for Demo.
crat.
But we digress. We started out to
talk about the cause OF MFR. Fulton's
defeat and Mr.. Cakes victory. Mr..
Fulton failed 10 win, not because the
Democrats wanted him defeated, but
because a majority OF his party desired
Ihe nomination OF Mr.. Cake. Mr.
Fulton was not defeated on person.
Alltles, neither Is his defeat to be con
strued as a verdict against him by the
people on the charges preferred by
=. J. Heney. II the truth could be
Snown, Il would be found that Mr.
Heney's bitter attack aided Fulton
-ather than Injured him. Mr.. Fulton
q not less popular with the people Of
Oregon than he was at the beginning
Il the campaign, and the feeling OF
he voter Is not so much against him
Is against those interests with which
10 had 30 long been identified.
Mfr. Cakes nomination was due 10 {
lumber Of causes. First aud fore
most, he was the champion Of a prln-
iple that Is dear TO the people-tEat OF |
be election OF United States Senators
y q direct vote. He stood firmly by '
his prineiple. earnestly advocating Il
his campaign. and never =
from his allegiance 70 IT,