The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-01-11
CON REPUBLICAN SOONS MUST VOTE FOR DEMOCRAT OR VIOLATE PLE
TRIES TO OVERRIDE
WILL OF OREGON VOTERS

L
in particular, awaiting the out
come with keen interest, the Ore
gon legislature convened today
for a forty-day session with the
prospect of being the scene of the
most extraordinary senatorial con-
test ever held in any legislative
hall in the country.
Nowhere has a more unique sit
uation growing out of a fight for
seat in the United States senate
ever developed. This is true be-
cause of the fact that both branch
es of the Oregon legislature, which
is overwhelmingly republican, are
facing the proposition Of giving
the senatorial plum to a demo-
crat. George e. Chamberlain,
now governor of the state and the
peoples choice for the high posi-
ton. Otherwise they must repu-
diate the pledges made to the vot-
ers and elect republican.
In either event an interesting
chapter will be written in politi-
cal history.
Present indications are that
every one of the fifty-two legis-
lators elected on Statement No.
l." which provides for the elec-
Ition of United States senator's by
the vote of the people, will stand
by their pledge and send Cham
berlain to the upper house of con-
gress, although the pill will be
bitter one to swallow.
From the time Gov. Chamber
lain defeated Judge H. M. Cake,
his republican opponent, at the
last general election in June un-
til the present day the contest has
been replete with exciting fea
lures in political war.
First of all, Judge Cake defeat
ed Senator Charles w. Fulton,
whose term soon expires, in the
primaries. The FultOnites then
raised the cry that scores of DEM
ocrats registered as republicans so
that they could elect Cake, think
ing the latter would be a weaker
candidate against Chamberlain in
the general election than Fulton.
But the big surprise to the re-
publican leaders came when the
counting of the ballots revealed
the election of Governor Cham
berlain, democrat, in a state
which has always been considered
safely in the republican column.
The governor had had no opposi-
tion in the democratic primaries.
Perhaps the greatest shock of
all was occasioned by the discov-
cry that 81 legislators pledged to
vote for the peoples choice for
the United States senate had been
elected.
That meant, unles these law
makers repudiated their pledges,
that the Oregon legislature, which
has seventy-seven republicans and
thirteen democratic members,
must give the toga to demo-
crat. There seems to be little
doubt they will do it, as Chamber
lain's adherents assert the pledged
members would not dare to vio-
late the promise they made to the
voters and expect any more favors
at their hands.
However, in the face of strong
public sentiment favoring Cover
nor Chamberlain, the Fulton sup
porters think this will be done
that either Fulton will retain his
seat in the senate or republican
will be elected in his place.
AS last resort, Senator Fulton
is said to have appealed strongly
to President-elect Taft and Frank
Hitchcock, chairman of the repub-
lican national committee, for as
sistance, pointing out to them that
1t would be against the very prin-
ciples of the republican party to
participate in the election of al
democrat to the senate. It is
evident that Taft did not give
Fulton any encouragement.
Further national Importance
was attached to the Oregon con-
test when President Roosevelt, on
the occasion of Gov. Chamber
lain's recent visit to the capital,
greeted him as "the next senator
from. Oregon" This incident dis
heartened the republicans of this
state to a great extent, but it is
apparent here that they will be
prepared to spring some sort of a.
surprise on their opponents when
the time for voting arrives.
One rumor in circulation today
is that the "anti-statement No. 1
men" have a scheme by which
they expect to have the election
postponed. They have circulated
many p,stitionss asking voters tol
sanction the reputation oil
pledges. How many signatures|
have been secured is not known
but enough will be presented toI
the Joint assembly, 1t is said, to,
raise a question as to their genu-I
ineness.
The anti-statement men predict
that this would result in a post
ponement OF the final vote, there
by giving them more time ini
which to disorganize the State
ment No. i" forces.
!. Having apparently failed In all
others This is reported to be the
--latest coup Of the Fulton leaders.