Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1910-07-08
NO ATTACK ON PRIMARY
cHATRMAN GEORGE PRESENTS
MERITS OF ASSEMBLY PLAN.
Course Pursued in Oregon Similar 10
That Advocated by Governor
Hughes, OF New York.

II do not believe any real Republic
cans are to be found fighting the
assembly unless. they are misinformed
or misguided. The noise against the
assembly emanates mainly from DEM
ocrats who see in Republican harmony
inc defeat of the Democratic party in
Oregon"
This summary of the political sit
nation concerning opposition to the
assembly movement in the Republican
marty was made yesterday afternoon
by Judge NJ. c. George. chairman OF
the state Central Committee Judge
George. in an interview. went into the
tonic of assemblies in some detail and
also took occasion to point out some
of the principles the Oregon Republi-
cans are contending for in the effort
to produce harmony and maintain
marty supremacy in the state. He said ::
Direct Primary Abused.
.-The assembly movement is in no
wav a blow at the direct primary and
cannot be SO construed by any fair
minded. unprecedented and thoughtful
person. We believe that the direct pri-
mary law in Oregon is abused and 1t
is the purpose of the assembly to meet
its shortcomings so far as is practi-
cable.
Rather than to attack the direct
primary law, the purpose Of the as
sembly is to support and perfect it.
The direct primary principle of letting
the voters decide is fully respected
and borne out by the assembly plan.
our ideas relative to the law are sim
liar to those advanced by Governor
Hughes. of New York. He believes in
partv action in. bringing the list of
candidates before the direct primary
and urges that this list should go on
the ballot by virtue of party selection
and without going through the process
of petitions. Petition requirements VIII
not be embodied in the New York law.
Hughes Idea Identical.
"It seems logical to say that man
who is indorsed at public meeting
of voters should have preference over
man who has been privately in
dorsed. That is Governor Hughes
idea. too. All who believe in the main
teuance of organization in the Repub-
Iican party should participate in the
/ assemblies and all candidates should
be given a fair and square deal. Nc
packing should be permitted, no boss
ism, no such abuses as have been ad-
mittedly participated in by those who
are now opposed to US.
THE arguments against the assem-
blies. where they are honestly present
ed. are based largely on exceptional
cases of abuse. The fact is overlooked
/ that the great mass of the people are
honest and mean well. And there car
no longer be any motive for packins
an assembly. For the assembly doesn'
nominate, it recommends. And so tbs
/ evil charged against the system is con
iured up, and the charge is withou
merit.
/ Better Selection offered.
by the assembly plan, the people
are apt to get a better class of public
{
who are self-presented, self-indorsed
self-appIauding. Such people are look
/ ing at the matter from the standpoin
Of their own motives. People who as
semble in mass meetings and recon-
mend the ittest for office have the wei
fare Of the whole community at heart
In the assembly. a better class of mel
are recommended and presented to tn
voters for their consideration.
Many of those who vote at pri
mary election are not well acquainted
Oregon has a large new population
people who have little acquaintance
When they go into the primary boot
they have to take what they find Il
the man who has received the assem-
bly, Endorsement. they are more apt I
find substantial candidates, men
character and ability"