East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1914-10-23

CFred Lockley in Portland JournaD
CORVALLIS, ore, Oct. 23.--I take
my hat off TO Corvallis.
/ have never seen a more orderly
attentive, appreciatiye or intelligent
audience than gathered at the court
house to hear DR.. Smiths declaration
Of principles.
The home OF the Oregon Agricul-
tural college and of DR.. Smiths po-
litical opponent did itself proud. The
o. A. c. brass band. consisting Of IS
instruments, under the leadership OF
Oscar James, gave a concert in front
OF the hotel after which they marched
to the court house playing popular
airs After a short band concert c.
E Woods opened the meeting. Just
here IL a good place TO say that the
large courtroom. was more than full.
Not only was every seat taken, but
chairs were placed in the aisles and
from 60 to 70 attentive listeners stood
in the rear Of the room or along the
sides of the room. Mr.. Woods spoke
briefly.
The record Of achievement upon
which DIR. Smith based his claim for
future performance: He said that
man who had proved clean. capable
and efficient as school director, may
or and legislator would be able to
give an equally careful and able ad-
ministration as governor. DR.. Smith
was applauded heartily when he rose.
mean just that, il was no per-
functory cheering, but applause given
with good will,
Registration I'm Benton.
To date Benton county has regis
tered 294O republicans; 1915 demo-
Gratis; 765 prohibitionists; los social
lists. 10 progressives. and 425 inde-
pendent and miscellaneous In other
words out of a total of $3.50 there are
2940 republicans or a little more than
one half OF the total registration. At
the meeting there were voters OF all
shades of political belief, but what
ever their viewpoint, all were Won
derfully attentive and generous in
their applause. One pleasing feature
was the presence of large number
OF women. who paid just as close at
tention as the men.
Il am much gratified" said DR..
Smith, "at this hearty welcome and at
the numbers who have come out to-
night. | have a message for you to-
night. and it comes from my heart.
Hearty and continued applause
greeted Doctor Smiths reference tn
President Wilson and Senator Cham
berlain.
DR.. smith told how Oregon. the pio-
neer state in progressive legislation.
had been followed by 25 other states
which had adopted the initiative and
referendum. He showed how Ore
CONS plan. known as Statement No. /,
had resulted in the adoption Of the
18th amendment securing the election
of senator's by the direct vote Of the
people.
He showed how a group OF mercen-
aries and political plunderers had
robbed oregon of its school lands un-
til, unlike Minnesota, which had over
F-VV.VVV,VVU LOT llS SCnOOl tund. ore
gon had a patty s6,OO0,OOO remaining
of its one time princely heritage.
Peoples Rights Endangered.
He dwelt on the danger to the peo-
pies rights If the direct primary were
tampered or trifled with.
Il believe the intelligent voters OF |
Oregon will say, Down with the as
sembly and those who would restore
it,"
He showed how large a burden OF |
unjust taxation was borne by the |
workers and wage earners OF Benton
county. If We keep on increasing the |
taxes S5 per cent a year as We have |
for the past four years the people had |
better turn their property over to the
state. for they will be unable to keep
up the burden Of paying the increased
iaXes,' he said
Does it seem Just that the popula-
ion should increase so per cent in
The past 10 years, the properly valua-
ion 80 per cent and the taxes 24O per