Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-06-24
THE FIRST ASSEMBLY GUN
FIRES BLANK CARTRIDGE

crepe. There we're a few attempts
made to rip the burning stars from
the situation and instill into the
doubling and discouraged, hope and
courage; an attempt CIR two was
made to rip the burning stare from
the everlasting skies, but that is not
an easy task when the political
heavens above are black as starless
night, and it looks as though the
stars would never shine again
There was an attempt or two made
to set the American eagle soaring on
outstretched wings but 1t is not an
easy task to start that majestic bird
on his flight when you are thinking
instead of a crow and wondering all
the time how 1t will taste when
served out on election day on a
platter, by the people Doubt, dis
couragement and gloom seemed to
mark the features of all those in at
tendance and while endeavors were
made and brave words spoken in the
old tone of voice to drive away the
awful fear of political annihilation
at the direct primary the feeling
was there and like Banquo's ghost
it would not down; but like a SOL
'emn spectre strobe the halls during
all of the meeting.
The Same Old Song.
Chairman Jones upon convening
the meeting stated that its purpose
was to devise ways and means for
holding the coming precinct mass
meetings and emphasized the need
of the unity of action and hard
work to get the republicans out to
attend the primaries. After this
brief outline of the situation he sat
down and called for experience tes-
timony and when no one showed an
inclination to respond he called up
on Committeeman West.
Mr.. West launched the discussion
of the evening by singing a song
about harmony and peace and the
necessity of organization, and the
further necessity Of all loyal republi-
cans attending the primaries and
seeing to it that proper delegates
were sent to the assemblies after
which he sat down and the audience
patiently waited for some one else
to say something.
Finally Mr.. Wrightman's form
was seen to arise at the rear end
of the hall and he took up the song
where Mr.. West had left 1t and sang
verse after verse besides the chorus
in eulogy of the convention and as
sembly system. He believed in as
semblies because the constitution
authorized representative form OF
government; because assemblies
permitted an exchange of ideas so
that decision could be reached as
to the best platform and the best
candidate. The principles of the
party were greater and grander, he
maintained, than that of any indi-
,vidual and 1t would be better to go
down in defeat at the primaries than
at the polls.
He was made the recipient Of the
only applause Of the evening, saving
and excepting when Mr. Hendricks
of the Statesman, arose at a subse-
quent time and offered to the assem-
bly, the free use of his paper in the
way of advertising space.
"Where Are the Republicans"
DR.. Smith expressed himself in fa-
vor of an assembly, SO did Abner
Lewis, A. N. Gilbert, and then 1t
finally came Preacher" Robinson's
turn to respond to the toast of the
evening.
I am astonished," he began, "to
find so few here tonight. What Is
the matter? Where are the repub-
licans?" and here he looked sig
nificantly around as though he ex-
pected an answer and upon receiv-
ing none, walled back his own re-
ply: echo answers, where" He
then proceeded to state that the pa
pers seemed TO be feeling their way
that the Oregonian was feeling it's
way-so was the Statesman, 1t was
evidently an occasion OF much feel
ing, and wound up by declaring in
favor of an assembly and by declar-
ing that republican hope Of success
at the polls lay In organization.
81 think Rev. Robinson struck
the key note" said Attorney Hertzel
who followed, when he asked
where are the republicans. There
had ought to be five times as many
republicans here tonight and
doubt whether the assembly can be
made a success unless enthusiasm In
It can be created. We must interest
the people-must get together and
get them out and we have to hurry
II we succeed"
Seeks 10 Excuse Small Attendance.
Mr. Hendricks, OF the Statesman.
Attorney Carson, Councilman