Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1910-11-08
rOnAY,s ELECTION.


afternoon, the battle of ballots" is
being fought in oregon. Not only
are the voters called upon to select
officers to serve the state and the re-
spective counties for the next two or
four years, but they are also acting IN
the capacity of lawmakers-some
thirty-two proposed laws and constitu-
tional amendments being before them
for adoption or rejection. Voting on
all these candidates and laws makes
the balloting a slow process, ana IN
many of the larger precincts 1t VIII be
a difficult matter to poll the entire
vote during the hours the polling
places will be open. Even a more ted
ious task will be the counting of the
votes. The returns received tonight
will doubtless be meager and will
probably be no more than an ind1ca-
tion of the final result. 1t is not
probable that the final outcome will
morrow afternoon.
Forecasts based upon the most re-
liable information obtainable in the
various counties indicate a complete
victory for the Republican ticket in
the state. The latest estimates give
Bowerman for Governor lead over
his Democratic opponent of 1000
votes. The state is expected to give
the Republican candidate a plurality
of 5000 outside of Portland. Bower
mans plurality in MultnOmah Coun-
ty is 'conservatively estimated at 1000,
although it is believed he will receive
much greater vote.
All other offices on the Republican
state ticket will doubtless be elected
by the usual heavy pluralities A
strong effort has been made by the
advocates of a "non-partisan" bench
to defeat George II. Burnett for Su-
preme Justice, but the opinion is free
Iy expressed in all parts of the state
that their efforts will count for
naught; i'm fact, the prediction Is free
ly made that Judge Burnett Will lead
the ticket in many counties-partic-
ularly in those of the Willamette Val
ley, where his 1S years faithful SER
wee on Lne circuit bthCh mas Noii i'i
him the respect of all voters, regard
less of party afiiliation.
Sentiment in favor of two or more
Normal schools in the state has grown
rapidly in the last few weeks and 1t
is now generally believed that a fav-
orabIe vote will be cast for at least
two of these greatly institu-
tions. Sentiment favorable to the
Monmouth school Is especially strong,
and there no longer seems any doubt
as to its Endorsement by an oVerwhelm-
ing vote i'm the state. Here in Dallas,
business men and citizens generally
have been working for this school with
as much earnestness and enthusiasm
as If it were a home institution.
In Polk County, a sweeping Repub-
lican victory is anticipated. Here the
Republican registration exceeds that
of the Democratic party by over 500
votes and 1t Is not believed that any
Democrat, with the possible exception
of Sheriff Grant, will be able to over
come this lead. Republicans In all
parts of the county admit that the
bitter personal attack made upon
Sheriff Grant by an Independence
newspaper few weeks ago will win
for him many votes and that the per-
sons responsible for the attack are
guilty Of a stupid bit of politics. Ger
tain It is. If Sheriff Grant shall be re-
elected, the defeated Republican can
didate will have only the persons who
inspired this personal fight to blame.
Interest in the prohibition ques-
tion has, to a great extent, overshad-
owed the political fight In this county.
Advocates Of a continuation of dry
rule claim that they will carry the
county 10y $50 votcs--10O more votes
than the majority of two years ago.
They also claim that they will carry
the county for statewide prohibition
by a small majority.
on the other hand, opponents Of
prohibition are positive in their pre-
diction that the small dry majority Of
two years ago will be overcome. with
500 or 400 votes to spare, and that
the county will also return a majority
against the proposed statewide meas
ure.
The campaign in Polk County this
year. while earnest. has been remark
ably free from bitterness and with a
few notable exceptions, personalities
have been avoided. The peoples will
is being expressed today. and 10y the
result an good citizens will chcerfully
abide.