The Detroit times., 1909-12-25
WILL F|GHT TO
KEEP PRIMARY PLAN
Attempt of Fulton and Politicians
To Return Oregon To Ring To Be
Opposed by Senators.
BY gibson GARDNER.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 25.-A bitter
fight will be made 10 keep Oregon
from falling into the hands of the old
political ring now attempting TO re
gain control.
Party lines have been cast aside.
Senators Chamberlain and Bourne.
shoulder 10 shoulder. are 10 lead the
fight. The senators are appealing di'
rectly 10 the people.
The assembly plan" is what Fulton
and his crowd call their latest scheme
for doing away with popular primaries.
This means the return To the old
plan OF "A convention with dummy dele
gates doing the Will OF corrupt bosses
BY using this plan the gang has Sc
cured control in Portland. and plans
are made for calling n state assembly
and spreading the control 10 cover
state Offices and Legislature. The peo'
pie are urged TO arouse themselves
aud avail themselves OF the primary
election law, 10 keep the controi OF
affairs in their own hands.
Speaking OF his part In the ngh''
Senator Chamberlain said:
If necessary | will return TO oregon
and take the stump TO do my part in
saving the primary system OF govern
men;. 4 return TO the old convention,
under the guise OF an assembly. would
be nothing short OF calamity. TO
suggest such a thing Is an indictmehl
OF the intelligence of the voters. Wha'
Fulton and his followers are saying
to the people Is in substance that they
are not competent TO govern tnem
selves. This is the theme OF the
editorials which are appearing IN the
Portland Oregonian in favor OF the
gangs assembly plan. | do not think
the people OF oregon are Wiling 10
admit their incompetence or 10 see
their state return TO the gang when
looted II in the DAYS before the pres
ent plan OF government was adopted
1T is my information that the
farmers OF the state are aireauF
aroused and meetings OF the oranges
have been called and resolutions are
daily being passed denouncing the as
sembly plan. Even at the meeting
of the old Republican crowd az the
Union club. state Senator McGinn ex-
nosed and denounced the effort TO
hiring about the old boss rule. ne
lieve the aroused sentiment OF 'he peo
nle Of Oregon will result in the deteat
of this conspiracy by an overwheim'
ing majority.
senator Bourne has adopted a cnar'
acteristic plan OF campaign he mas
nrenared a statement denouncing the
conspiracy. and is now mailing ZV,oVV
comics TO the voters OF oregon.
..The experience In Portland mus
not be taken as prophecy OF wha'
will happen in the state. sald sen
o,or Rourne. 1T is true that tney
worked the assembly trick In that ci'y
and elected what they cailed
straight party ticket. II must De uh.
derstood however. that the voters OF
the citv were not aroused and were
not interested in the campaign ana
only a small fraction or the nor nia'
vote was cast The people oil the
state of Oregon are too alert 10 per
NIT this TO happen when II comes 10
20 choice OF state officials. The prim-
arv referendum and the popular elec-
,,on NJ United States senators are the
most important things TO be consider
cd in the state. These instruments ior
lodging the power Of government IN
the peoples hands are more tnah
marty and more than any personailty.
Ali other considerations Will be se'
aside in the fight to see that popular
government in oregon Is not taken
from the state"