St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1912-10-25
Finds Bourne Wrong

| commenting edlt0rlally on the
independent candidacy of Sen
ator Bourne, the press of the
state almost unanimously agree
that the very life and permanency
of the Oregon system would be
imperiled by the reelection OF
Bourne. Especial emphasis is
made of the fact that if the vo-
ters should indorse Bourne's
reputation of the direct pri-
mary by electing him, the pre-
cedent might be urged by mem
bers of the State Legislature as
an adequate excuse for absolving
them from Statement No | or
any other pledge to the people.
The situation presented by
Senator Bourne's independent
candidacy is being frankly dis
cussed by nearly every newspa-
per in the state. Republican and
Democratic publications alike
uniformly censure Bourne for
his reputation of the direct pri-
mary of which he has been the
professed friend and advocate.
The Republican papers are gen.
orally just as enthusiastic in
commencing the candidacy of
Ben Selling, the Republican di-
rect primary nominee.
Senator Bourne is also charged
by the country press with an in
ordinate desire to hold office.
Attention is directed by some of
the editors to the fact that if
elected as an independent, Bourne
would be without party identity
and would be unable to retain his
committee places which he urges
as the chief reason for his re-
election.
The following are some of the
comments from the country
newspapers:
Senator Bourne has repudiat-
ed the primary plan TO such an
extent as TO present himself as
a candidate for United States
Senator. He was defeated at
the primary and now cries fraud.
Did this Oregon statesman ever
hear Of a defeated candidate who |
was not ready to cry fraud when
the vote was against him? JON
lthan's excuses are too thin TO
be considered. He wants the
office and that S all there is to il.
Sheridan Sun.
The most Objectionable thing
10 Bourne's present candidacy is
hat in disregarding the primary
,lecation he sets the direct pri-
nary law at naught after having
ong posed as a special cham
)ion and defender of that law.
Should Bourne be successful in
his present fight the direct pri-
nary law will be weakened.
Very likely Legislators will try 10
lse his action as a precedent TO
Justify them in disregarding the
Statement Mol obligations. The
'eople should not open up such
possibilities. Pendleton East
)regonian.
The Observer has ever main
aimed that Bourne's reelection
would be a calamity 10 the State /
( Oregon and il reiterates that /
eclaration with the addition [
hat he would be doubly so if [
lected ms a political misfit, with ,
at atliliation with any political I
rganization. He still would I
Dntinue to be a political outcast. G
here is no excuse for any Re- I
ublican TO vote for Bourne and y
lighty few of them will do so. h
Polk County Observer (Dallas). S
Jonathan is having a hard a
ime trying the people. This I
the second appeal from their n
ecision. Politically, he was a 5
cation of the direct primary I
nd he has done more bowling
its favor than any other one O
AN in Oregon, but as soon as "
turns him down he bolts and @
liliates with the Bull Moose L
It'll horned out of that camp. S
e had also congratulated Ben b.
'lling and promised him his S,
pport. The next thing for him ql
do will be to contest the seat D,
whomeyer the Legislature may &C
'ct, Ii makes a difference 81
hose OK is gored. Silver Lake W
ader. in
The first plank put forward in hi
nator Bourne's platform is the a
bstltution of the direct pri- pc
'ry for the caucus and conven- IN
n. Yet his own candidacy, an in
lnced on the eve of the elec- br
n, is a reputation of the prin- pr
lie of the people electing their -
n candidates. After ante-pri-
ny statements, a pretense that pa
would make no campaign, and up
an attitude from Or
ich none but a knave might am
EIDE, that he was the only real pr,
'd-in-the-wool exponent of the me
'gon system. he now comes me
ward with a petition TO be if
ced on the ballot as candi- the
e for the office for which he the
beaten at the primaries. He the
it to the people. and, to the ser
- - RnnA ~