Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1910-06-17
MAY INVITE ROOSEVELT
PARTY LEADERS HOPE TO HAVE
HIM AS ASSEMBLY GUEST.
Governor Hughes Also Invited; Both
Men Friends Of Preliminary
Plan.

The Republican state assembly to be
held July 21, may be addressed by the
two most distinguished men in the Re-
publican party, aside from President
Colonel Roosevelt to come to Port
land, and with Governor Hughes, Of
New York, who has been invited to be
present, deliver an address before the
assembly.
Probably no two men could be Sc
lected who would be greater drawing
cards. The assembly delegates, out
side of Multnomah County, will num-
Der over 600. But that, it is agreed,
would be small compared with the
number who would be attracted pro-
viding both Colonel Roosevelt and
Governor Hughes accept the invita-
tions of the state central committee.
Centering around the assembly, the
occasion would be in nature of gala
day for Portland and all Oregon.
Both Men Friendly.
Both men, it is understood. strongly
favor the holding of pre-primary
party assemblies for the recommends
ton of candidates to the primary.
Governor Hughes position on this is
we'll known and, although the ex-
Presidents views are not so well
known, it being little discussed at the
time of his occupancy of the White
House, he is said to have indicated
at one time his approval of the idea.
This was the case of some Oklahoma
Republican leaders, who discussed the
hardship worked on them by the d.
rect primary law of that state and
the suggestion to hold party assem-
blies to recommend the names of can
didates is said to haye been made to
them by Mr.. Roosevelt at that time.
Since then, the plan has been fol-
lowed and with great success by the
new state, the Democratic majority
being reduced in the second election
from 10000 to 10000 in the state at
large and a gain of two Republican
Representatives in Congress. previ-
ously occupied by Democrats.
Silence Hopeful Sign.
The invitation of Governor Hughes
was sent two weeks ago and as yet, no
reply has been received from him.
This is taken as an encouragement by
Chairman M. C. George, indicating
that the matter is being given serious
consideration. Governor Hughes is
now the countrys foremost champion
of the pre-primary party assembly
idea. He even goes further than 1t
is possible to go here with the plan,
favoring the giving of assembly-recom-
mended candidates preferred places
on the ballot, so that the voter may
not be misled.
1t has not been definitely settled that
Roosevelt will be invited. 1t is prob
able, however, that he will be. The
matter will be deferred until his re-
turn home June 1S, and his plans for
the future are better known.
Roosevelt May Come Later.
If there is any likelihood of his COM
ing across the Mississippi River be-
fore that time, he will be invited to
come to the assembly. Otherwise, he
will be invited to come to Portland
during the campaign.
His reply to the invitation depends
entirely on the mooted question:
what will Roosevelt do?" If he de-
eides not to indicate his position on
political matters there will be little
use of extending the invitation to him.
At meeting yesterday of the board
of directors of the Portland Republic
can Club Secretary Charles e. Lock-
wood was instructed to send to Colonel
Roosevelt, timed to arrive In New
York the day he gets there, greetings
from the club. Mr.. Roosevelt was
elected to honorary membership of the
club and accepted IT on the occasion
of his last visit here.