Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1910-07-12
THE ROOSEVELT IDEA.

The Cobb direct primary bill, de-
feated in the New York legislature by
a majority of republicans assisted by
| by Roosevelt and ii is the kind of
primary law that Oregon should have.
The Cobb bill lays stress upon the nee
essity of maintaining party organiza-
ton, while here in Oregon the law is
Interrupted to mean destruction of
party organization and 1t is because of
this construction placed upon the law
that republicans, who have the real
interests of the party at heart, are
seeking to save the party in this state
by calling a state assembly. In speak
ing of the New York law, Roosevelt
says;
There is no desire to break down
the responsibility of party organiza-
ton under duly constituted party lead
ership, but there is a desire to make
this responsibility real and to give the
members OF the party the right to say
whom they desire to execute this lead
ership."
tear down party organization and par
ty leadership, but to build II up on the
broad plane OF genuine party leader
ship that leads and does not drive.
There are plenty OF broadminded,
cleanhanded republicans i'm oregon.
who are ready TO stand sponsors for
the direction OF the party and IL is
needful to oregon republicanism that
the future welfare OF the party be un-
der their guidance with a free rein to
the masses In selection Of the right
men to serve them in places OF public
trust.
There is no desire on the part Of
genuine republicans in oregon to in
augurate ring rule in this state. The
direct primary with proper modifica- !
tions will stand, continuously. as the I
peoples weapon with which to ward I
on the attacks OF scheming politicians /
who place personal ambition and self I
ACKNOWLEDGMENT above public need and /
clean politics.
There has never been, and Is not I
now. any occasion for alarm over .
county and state assemblies by repub- 4
licans unless Il be among democrats. 4
who have noted the tendency OF repub-
lican dlsintegration. because republi-
cans heretofore have been led 60 be-
lieve that they have no rights. under
the primary law. 10 get together. de-
clare their belief In republican pr
nciples and to even express. IN dele
gated bodies. some sort OF choice FOR
various county and state Offices to be
filled.
There Is certainly as much reason
and common sense In few hundred
republicans getting to-
ycther and talking over the qualihca-
lions % certain candidates as u IL Tor
svery Tom. Dick and Harry in the
,ountry 20 rise up and think himself
allied 20 serve the public and make
himself a candidate entirely on his
lwn voiition By either circulating q
petition In his own behalf. which
many sign just to set rid of him. OF
lee hiring some one else % DO "a Tor
him and paying him 50 much for each
signer. thereby, in a manner. buying
lis own Nomination. which D. say the
east i a violation of the law of clean
,oiitics which We are an striving 20
.nforce. There are abuses in the c.
-ect primary iaE that ned 20 bs REM
died and We need not arrceate 70 our
eives TIE belief that the laE ls per-
eci- for i n far from o. and the
ocner We remedy ns defects the bet
~ 4 an be Tor the perpstuity % hat
aw
We taik even war abous a safs