The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-04-09

The approaching city election situation resulting from
the recent primaries presents complicated problem,
whether looked at from partisan independent stand
point. Since the public didn't to agree entirely
with The Press the best for mayor The Press is
willing agree with the public if the public agree
with itself.
The issue resolves itself down to the matter of the
majority taking the pick of three offeredfor there
for sighting the socialist brother, who quail
fes by being always where fight is and in to the
tent of his But the socialist will not feel Of
Tended if dismissed from consideration possibility in
this instance and that brings the issue down to ONO and
Pratt.
The one is republican,; the other democrat with as
many hyphens following there factions likely to sup
port him. From party standpoint ONO has the best of it
he is regular ticket while Pratt is in the position Of
the the outside and everything for the office.
From the nonpartisan standpoint ONO is likely to poll
many democratic votes Pratt will republican By his
friends and particularly in this instance particular public
ity friends the Cowes papers, Pratt is certain to be
greatly overestmated ONO is to be underestmated by
them Both estimates will be wide of the actual truth the
voter should have before him in forming his opinion
Pratt is not demi- god has he been canon
lied ONO is not villain and in the midst Of their worst
attempts at vtuperaton his most frantic opposition is TAX
ing care not to publicly point specific instance of
nessone that might require proof in substantation to
evade the penalty for false statement There plenty of
voters who do not consider him suitable for mayor
ion of Pratt.
The stampede cry of dive and 'saloon" is being used
against Ono but there nothing to show that he is any
favorable to the desired bv these elements
than is Pratt The actual difference between the positions
OF the two on what in the habit of designating the
social evil saloon interests ETC., amounts to thing
favored by ONO and the thing favored by Pratt To
those who view the matter from religious sandponts the
Pratt end is presented the most palateable Examna-
ton of both sides of the picture dspels the Illusion
In commercial affairs and what grouped under the
general head OF business ability Pratt is credited with be-
ing the abes of the two by his supporters On the other
hand ONO is credited with being the most successful in
handling men and managing affairs quietly and effectively
Pratt record is pointed to of almost constant cou
cimanic braw and frutess undertakings that eneded in
noise and smoke largely.
On the of personal friendship ONO made remark
able campaign, winning in the face of determined oppos
ton IN the interests of several candidates. He won by
margin that left doubt of his strength His official roc
ord was criticized the hand and his personal charac
ter assaed the other but he worked along quietly and
goodnauredy and finished in the lead All the aspersion
that could be cast on not detrac from him the
credit of making fight like that and The Press accords #
all the freely account of its own opposition to him
Pratt had no chance to show his mette in the primaries
but quite evidently will have in the final cnch next month
ONO has proved himself politician and successful one
Pratt is politician ndsputaby but of Indifferent sue
cess his fault has not been lack of industry The choice
looks largely IKE matter of partisan bias notwhstand
ing all the dust that will be raised concerning ONO ntv
and Pratt probty.
There is deeper question involved that concerns Spo
Kane as city, already of vast consequence in western life
mat Is the problem of bringing municipal politics TO a
basis where elections can be held dispassonae and act
ualy patriotic lines and policies shaped under deliberate
consideration with the best interests of all the neone
stanty in view The day of deceptive hystera and wierd
that produce nothing but hard feelings and lack
o % mas been sufficient It's time to sit down to
lot OF careful and qhet figuring between now and election
gay ana ascertain just where If the process elm
mates petty relationships and puts responsibility for civic
na administration squarely on the shoulders it belongs to
ere no bugaboo to be feared matter who is elected
Inere are issues OF more Importance than Spokanes
average morality to be met Notwithstanding the fact that
te iaer makes the most impression in print To aroue
o.erwlse SANDER on Spokanes ability to compare ia
Sorably IN this respect with any of her rivals 80