Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1914-03-30
Oregon City, Oregon,
February IA, 1914.

To the People OF Oregon: /
| have waited with the hope that
some of the numerous gentlemen who
are candidates for governor in the
republican primaries and otherwise,
IN announcing their candidacy, would |
make some declarations as to how
they stood upon the national problem
of the sale and manufacture of intoN- |
icating liquor in the United States. |
have also hoped that there would !
have been some expression as to how
these gentlemen stood or would
stand, on the question OF an amend
ment to the constitution OF the state
OF Oregon abolishing the sale and
manufacture Of all intoxicating liquor
within this state. None OF these gen.
-.Iemen has seen fit to make any
declaration or commit themselves in
any way upon this great issue, which
l think and believe to be the most
important for the welfare of the peo-
pie generally and to the maintenance
of our Christian civilization that now
exists.
Reluctantly, after due considera-
tion, have concluded to become a
candidate for governor upon this issue
as the principal one of my candidacy.
I take this position, that the intelli-
gent opinion OF all fair-minded men
and women is unquestionably that the
liquor traffic, as now in use and
force, is menace to civilization and
is the result, largely, of crime, pow
,erty, degeneracy and moral decay, to
such an extent as to become start
ling danger to the human race. !
have no personal fight against the
man who is running saloon. | real
Iy feel more like condemning and CEN
surfing society for permitting this
great evil and power to exist and to
obtain the firm hold that it has in
this state and in this country. If |
had my own way | should feel as if
society itself ought to be punished
who have engaged in this business,
sanctioned by law, in reasonable
way to recover their investment that
they have made, on the same theory
that Abraham Lincoln favored buying
the slaves and coloniZing them, in or
der to settle the slave problem. or
course, l think and know that the
people of this state would not favor
Sompensating men who have invested
their money in the saloon business
neither am | advocating 1t as a part
of my platform nor program in this
fight am simply suggesting it tc
the conscience and fair minds of the
people of this state, for them to give
such consideration as they see fit
recognizing, as | do, that whenever
society feels that it is in danger, i
has right to abolish and to destroy
anything that endangers itself. NJ!
object and purpose is to try TO arous,
abe public opinion and the conscience
of the people Of this state where the!
will be willing to stand shoulder tC
shoulder, Irrespective of political par
Sy or affiliations, and unite for the
purpose of putting the saloon bushes!
out of existence and destroy its influ
ence in our economic, social and po
litical life. | therefore am in favol
OF destroying the saloons with com
pensation il the people should upor
a direct vote so declare, but l woulC
veto any bill which the Legislature
might pass, compensating saloons fol
uheir investment, unless the people
by popular vote directed me to dc
otherwise. stand openly and abov,
board, unconditionally, in favor of The
adoption OF national and STATE
amendment to the constitutions OF tn,
United States and the state of Oregon
20 prohibit the sale and manufactur,
of all intoxicating liquor within thu
United States and within the state o
Oregon.
also favor national suffrage T.
Ehe women of the United States.
am opposed to any and all Asi
atics, such as Hindus, being permitte,
10 come into this country and int
rhls state and competing in the log
ging camps and other avenues @
work and labor with the laborng me
now here.
II is unnecessary for me to add tha
stand with all good citizens in tn
state in favor Of upholding and maif
tanning our school system in Il ia
and liberal way. and in the constru
zion OF roads and highways to me-
the demand and requirements OF o,
farming. producing, commercial az
business classes OF the people Of tn
state, with this qualification, that
feel that whatever plans are adopt'
In the construction of roads In th
qfata and whatever methods are us,