Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1910-08-23
file STRONG ARGUMENT
ASSEMBLY OF VOTERS VIOLATES
NO LAW OF OREGON.
Sound Logic Is Furnised for State
Pamphlet by Republican Gem
tral Committee.

| Arguments prepared by the Repub
| lican State Central Committee to b,
printed in the state pamphlet were
filed in the office of the Secretary o.
State, Saturday. The complete argu
ment is as follows:
The Assembly.
We offer the following statement ir
support of the candidacy of Senator
Bowerman and the other candidates
endorsed by the Republican assembly.
The strange proposition has been
advanced that the aspirants for nom-
ination at the Republican primary
who were endorsed by the Republican
assembly held in Portland on the 21st
and 22nd day of July, should be
beaten because they have been endors-
ed by this assembly. Under our sys-
tenn of manhood suffrage a candidate
for office in order to win is ordinarily
required to accept and even seek sup
port wherever it is to be obtained.
This proposition is so well under
stood by the electors that we have
never before heard the objection
made that candidate should be beat
en- because some of his supporters are
Objectionable to certain persons. 1t
would be equally reasonable to object
to candidate at the direct primary
because some of the signers of his pc
tition are Objectionable from the point
of view of the objectors The candi-
dates of the assembly are not seek
ing to evade the provisions of the di-
rect primary law. These candidates
have been recommended by the petit
TONERS residing in many of the Ore
gon counties, all of the candidates
being recommended by upwards of
100 petitioners, and Mr.. Bowerman
leading with upwards of $500 names
on his petition. If otherwise qualified
for office, are these men to be defeat
ed because some exceptions can be
taken to the names on their petition?
The suggestion that assembly candi-
are assembly candidates is an attempt
to evade the issues presented to the
voters at the election and to mislead
the Republican electors to the disad-
vantage of the party.
The Portland journal a MarplOt.
The suggestion I'VE have noticed
from the Portland Journal,
a daily newspaper owned by Demo-
crat born and brought up in Virginia
and whose political action is con-
trolled by the issues of forty years
ago. He desires nothing in politics so
much as confusion to the Republican
party and defeat to it's policies and
its candidates. Republicans should
not look to such a source for guidance
in the affairs of their party
The insincerity of the Journal in its
attack on the assembly candidates is
manifest from the fact that in 1906
it zealously supported George e.
for governor, although
he was an avowed assemblyite. If ad-
of the assembly did not dis
qualify Chamberlain in 1906, why
should it disqualify Bowerman and
his associates in 1910?
DelnOcfdtS fdNOfeu Assembly.
In 1906 some of the leading Demo-
Gratis of Umatilla county sent out a
call for an assembly, which call con-
aimed the following language:
"The primary election law, although
good in itself, has been cleverly mis-
by designing and self
seeking persons until there is an idea
a hrnaH
'erring together by the people would
De an Illegal usurpation of the rights
If the people. If this sentiment is al
owed to prevail, the people will have
ost all opportunity to present candi-
lates for the primaries. They will
lave no opportunity, other than to
elect what may possibly be the least
vii, in the bunch handed out to them !
~ the self-elected bosses.
Neither a county assembly nor a |
tate assembly even though they were |
allied conventions, IL held in advance /
Il the primaries will take any right 4
rom the people. Such assemblies will |
10 nothing outside OF the transactions /
f legitimate party business and the |
doption of a platform, other than /
o invite suitable men to become can /
idates at the primaries. The party
must, under the primary law. make
Is selection of candidates at the pri-
1aries Such an assembly would be
merely advisory TO the men aligning
nth the Democratic party"
Under date of March s, 1909. a copy
( this call was forwarded by A. d.
chairman Of the Democratic
ounty committee for Umatilla coun-
=, to Governor Chamberlain. And this
J Governor Chamberlain's reply.
Letter on the Assembly
Hon. A. d. Stillman. County Chair
ian, PendletOn. Or.-Dear Sir. I am
4 receipt Of your favor OF the sth
lst. and hasten to thank YOU and.
trough you. the county central COM
littee. for the very courteous invita-
on 20 be present on the 18th inst at
he meeting Of the Democrats to be
eld In Pendleton.
Il deem il proper for me to say that
be movement which you have inaug-
rated meets with my full concur
snce. I question the propriety Of
aliing either a county or a state con-
ention for the purpose Of enunciat-
* a platform or nominating candi-
ates. for the reason that such a .
purse might be deemed by many as
n attempt TO thwart the purpose OF
be primary nominating law. feel
TAT TINS law DAEuA nov 70 De gwen n
ill. fair and impartial trial, and n In
'orking q out In detail II proves
lm bersome or distasteful 90 the peo-
le then such measures may be adopt
> in the future as VIII correct any
Tils which may arise from its opera
on. I do feel. however. that Il
Ould bc proper TO call an as.embly
I Democrats. both fn the several
yuutiez aud On the state 60 adopt a
p egiaration Of principles and 60 sue-
"a 90 the voter capable and trust
orthy men 10 be voted for a. the
-ueral elccfi0n-
7 wish you would discuss the mat
2 a. your meeting of the 18th inst.
ia. u possible. lnauRurate a move ]
.ent which vii bring the Democrats ,
.Eether a. some central point from
. over the state % take steps along
D. sane lines a. those which viii he
ken b. the Democrats of Umauiia |
IurtT. think that such action ,
ould he Ealutary ard would arouse
lthusias-n among our friends every
here. II
Ia is understood that 81 is aiWayu ,
ncult even in convention. 90 st
er % acnept rlaces on the ticket.
=cause - the fact that the Republl-
.n maturity ts - large ln OroFon a. /
make ererT candidate for ofice on I