Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1909-07-27
WHAT IS A SAFE, SANE AND INTELLIGENT POLICY FOR
THE REPUBLICANS OF OREGON TO PURSUE?

" L
THE REPUBLICANS OF OREGON TO PURSUE?
Having lost two governors and the last United States sem
ator the question asked above is timely and aI-imp0tant
for those calling themselves Republicans to consider
In the general state election TO be held in November 1870
full set of state officers, including governor, will be chosen
The announcement Is made that state assembly will be
held TO name Republican candidates and that an effort will
be made TO repeal certain reform measures
This program is announced with considerable authority
back of it, although It is not an official declaration OF the
Republican state committee.
Il is also announced that county assemblies are to be held
to nominate Republican county legislative candidates,
This program outlined and VIII be pressed upon ne re-
publican leadership Of Oregon as good business policy tor
the party to pursue,
OF course, as far as an assembly succeeds in making
Republican state or county, ticket 1t is an attempt TO dis
place or Subvert the direct primary law.
If that all that is sought to be accomplished by the
assembly program il would not be so serious a matter
But il is understood and proposed to sweep away the
whole direct legislation and direct election of United States
senators system that has been enacted by the people OF
Oregon
Is Il wise or necessary to put the Republican party into
that attitude of hostility to popular etoImS2
When other states adopting the Oregon plan OF elect
ing senator's and Oregon reforms who is prepared to say
that the people OF Oregon are ready to adopt reaconay
Prominent leaders of the Republican party at Portland
and few throughout the state have declared tor nomnat-
ing ticket and making platform in opposition to progress
SiVe ideas,
Having made brief trial Of direct nominations and direct
elections OF senators and direct legislation, they want no
more
They want the Republican party to return to the COnven-
ton system OF nominations,
They want the people to abandon direct election OF SEN
ators
They want the citizen to surrender his right to direct
voice in the Iaw-making business
They want to take away from the people the power OF
control and direction in governmental affairs
They want in the name OF the Republican party to ask
the people to surrender certain newly acquired political rights
and pTeTogaveS.
ask Republicans this question: Is this a good, safe,
sound sane nteIleen political platform TO 90 before the
people upon2
You will have to decide this question for yourselves and
for your party.
II opposition to popular reforms is. not wise policy
what is a safe and sane line 10 puLSue2
ask you TO consider this taCt Twenty SeVen states have
adopted in various forms direct election OF U 81 senator's
majority OF these states are Republican states.
Other Republican states enaCtng the oregon direct
primary law and direct legislation,
ask Republicans to consider this fact of political history
Nowhere in any country have the people ever gained po-
lcaI rights and afterwards voluntarily surrendered them.
They will not begin to take the backward track in Oregon
In place of inviting the people to accept a reactionaN
matchmaking program at the hands of the Republican party
what should we offer to the electorate ot0eg0n2
is assumed that patriotic Republican leaders respect the
pOpar will desire to obey the laws, and want party
Republican leaders in state and county politics have no
interest in anagOnZng the grange labor organizations,
churches or any body OF people favorable to reform meas
ureS
The writer would suggest to them to 90 slow about put
ting their party upon record as hostile to reform policies IN
which the whole body of the American people Interested
et us have on the contrary state assembly OF leading
and influential Republicans to create enthusiasm for sound
RepbIcan principles to enunCate sound Republican plat
form 10 hear good Republican speeches and to declare
newed expressions of allegiance to the sovereign will OF the
electorate.
- -. President Help. Orphans.