The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1909-01-22
PLEDGES ARE kept
Statement No. l Legislators Elect
Chamberlain United States Sem
ator on First Ballot.

Fer United States Senator, to sue
ceed Senator Chas. w. Fulton. whose
term expires March 4th. Governor
George e. Champberlain.1
This is the result Of the settlement
Of the great senatorial fight which has
been waged in Oregon since Chamber
lain won over Cake BY popular vote in
the June election. And when the final
test came. the battle was easily won, y,
The men who pledged themselves 10
honorably carry out the wishes Of the
people in the election Of their choice
for United States Senator simply voted
for the man the masses named aud be
was elected on the first ballot when
the two houses Of the legislature cast
votes Tuesday noon.
Thus the people get what they
want, the Statement men did their
duty we'll and honorably and the leg
islative body has clear way to serve
its constituents in all purposes for
which it is created.
Quite difference, is it not, from
the usual Oregon holdup method.
which has been in vogue for years
past in senatorial contests.
Oregon and Washington have set
the pace. The eyes of the world have
been on the former, for here the fight
ing ground was chosen to make the
stand against the Statement No.
principle, Washington having the pri-
mary law, but not the Statement No.
proviso. Other states will fall into
line and soon United States Senators
will be named by popular vote.
Governor Chamberlain's election
comes as the climax of long and
more or less bitter contest between the
supporters of Statement No. aud it's
opponents. The effort to break the
support of Chamberlain, however, col
lapsed Monday night in Republican
caucus. when it became apparent that
nothing could stop the governors el-
cotton on the first ballot.
The popularity Of Statement No.
was apparent from the complexion of
the legislature. for of its ninety mem-
bers. So, mostly Republican. subscrib-
ed to Statement No. l, thus binding
themselves to vote for the popular
choice, which in this case was Cham.
berlain, Democrat. This gave
Chamberlain on joint ballot six more
votes than were needful to elect him.
The result of the contest closes one
of the most interesting senatorial el-
eotions ever held in the United States,
the struggle having been watched With
the greatest interest throughout the
nation. 1t was said President Roose-
velt and William 81. Taft favored the
election of Cham berlain, while Ma
tional Chairman Frank Hitchcock il
said to have lent secret aid to the Re-
publioans who sought to defeat the De-
mocratio candidate. During the past
few weeks great pressure was brought
to bear on the Statement No J.. men
tc endeavor to get them to violate
their pledges to the people to vote for
the popular choice.
The vote in the House stood Cham
berlain 81, Fulton IL. Cake IA. In
the Senate, Chamberlain 10, Fulton z,
Cake 8, Bean 1.
Necessary TO choice on joint ballot.
46.
Say He Will Not Be Seated.
Opponents of Cham berlain declare
that he will not be seated, saying
they have positive assurance that the
committee ON elections will not seat
him for the reason. they say, that
Oregon's method is distasteful and
liable to create general movement in
states for similar laws for the election
of United States Senators.
A measure was introduced in the
House making it misdemeanor to
take Statement No. /. or make any
pledge on the senatorship when a
candidate for the legislature. 1t pro-
vides for fine and imprisonment as
penslty, and also provides that any.
one who should be elected after tax :
ing such pledge shall not be seated.
Busy Plumbers.
Bursted water pipes frailed In the