Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1910-08-04
VOTINGFORSENATOR
ATTEMPT To THROW ELECTION
TO LEGISLATURE.
That Machine Politicians are Con-
spring to Take the Election OF
United States Senator's from the
Hands of the People is More Than
Suspected.

There is a growing belief that, un-
uess the Republican candidate for
United States Senator named at the
September primary chances to be a
resident of peculiar section or the
representative of particular element
OF his party, deliberate and deter
mined effort will be made in the Legis.
lature to nullify the popular choice.
There is abundant cause for the
spread of this belief. Republican
hOldOver senators and candidates for
the Legislature, including the prin-
cipal aspirant for the speakership of
the House, as well as Republican
newspapers in various parts of The
state, do not hesitate to declare that
geographical and factional, instead
of moral and civic, considerations
should govern in the choice of sena-
tor, and that, if the candidate they
favor fails to receive more votes at
the primary election than some one of
his opponents, members of the LeGis-
lature will be warranted in ignoring
the spirit and purpose of the primary
law. There is but one way in which
to meet and counter so shameful a
course OF action. Public opinion mast
be fully aroused to its vicious nature.
and care exercised that the next Let;is-
lature includes only men who have
taken the statutory pledge to abide
by and confirm the popular choice for
senator How the matter is viewed
by some of the men who will be called
to deal with it is clearly revealed in
the following expressions of opinion
from hOldOver senators and candidates
for the Legislature. All of them from
Seattle, the home of Candidate John
l.. Wilson:
Joseph r. Manning of Seattle: "As
always have been and | am now in
favor of amending the federal consti-
tuition so that United States Senators
shall be elected directly by the peo-
pie, cheerfully can subscribe to the
pledge that shall vote for the candi-
date receiving the highest number of
votes in the September primaries.
You further state that there is dis
position on the part of the friends of
some of the candidates that unless
the Republicans of this state shall in
dorse one OF the candidates from west
of the mountains the members of the
Legislature are justified upon geo.
graphical grounds in ignoring the
choice of the people and voting for
whOmsoever they please. l have no
sympathy with such a disposition to
consign to the waste basket the will
OF the people,"
n. e. Foster Of Seattle: 81 regard a
member of the Legislature as serving
in the capacity of a trustee so far as
the election of a United States Sena-
tor is concerned. Under the laws of
Washington, the qualified voters have
undoubtedly a right to register their
preference for United States Senator,
and, if nominated and elected to the
Legislature, l shall with the greatest
pleasure discharge my duties as such
trustee by supporting the candidate
whom the people indorse for such high
office. With the filing of my decara-
tiOn of candidacy l expect to file with
the same a statement that | will sup
port the candidate for United States
Senator who receives the largest num-
ber of votes at the primary"
William Wray of Seattle: "When it
comes time to file my declaration Of
candidacy for the Legislature, shall
file with it the statutory declaration
that if nominated and elected l will
vote in the Legislature for the Repub.
lican candidate for United States Sen.
atOr who shall receive the largest
number of votes in the primary elec.
tion."
David Perry Rice of Seattle: 81 be-
lieve in the Oregon method of selec-
ton, but as conditions are here l
certainly will make the statutory de.
claration and abide by it if elected to
the State Senate
Paul HoIbrook of Seattle: ''It is my
intention to file the statutory declara-
ton referred to. and no one who
knows me will have any doubt about
my keeping this or any other pledge
or promise that | may make should
! be elected to the legislature
Samuel Coles of Seattle: "As a
member of the legislative session of
1907 / gave my earnest and active
support to the enactment of the pri-
mary law. | shall abide by and up
hold the law. However reluctant I
might feel about casting my vote for a
man from Eastern Washington for
United States Senator, ! would do so
should he receive the Endorsement of
the state for that office"
Charles E. Congleton of Seattle: at
is my purpose when fling declaration
of candidacy for member of the Legis-
if nominated and elected | will vote
for the candidate for United states
Senator who shall receive the highest
of votes upon my (Republ-
CAM party ticket for the position at
the primary election"
(C0nfinnad on Hana EioLf