Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1914-10-01
SELECTING A CANDIDATE.
Eugene Guard.)

For the second time in the history
of the state of Oregon the people
will this fall elect a United States
senator. George E. Chamberlain, the
present incumbent, democrat; Will
liam Hanley of Burns, progressive,
and R. A. Booth of Eugene, repub-
lican, are the candidates. BY an
amendment to the federal constitu-
ton a new obligation has been i'm
posed upon the voters and the posi-
tion brought closer to the people. 1t
is to be their will who shall be elect
ed, and in making the selection it
is a duty of every man and woman
to consider this matter carefully.
Their decision should be above the
plain partisan politics. Unless they
follow such a course the purpose of
the constitutional amendment pro-
viding for a direct vote will have
been defeated and we might as we'll
go back to the old method of caucus
selection and election by state legis-
latures.
In some of the counties of Oregon
the present campaign is assuming an
unwelcome aspect in the eyes OF the
citizens The cry of the partisan
press deceiyes no one. Abuse of
republican candidate by a democratic
paper because he is a republican is
a poor and unfair political policy.
Tirades against democratic candi-
dates by the opposition press were at
one time deemed essential to a party
campaign, but the ultra partisan and
his methods are no longer effective
in creating public sentiment. Times
have changed and the people have
changed. The voters can no longer
be herded into the polling place and
the herders are no longer necessary.
The people are Independent of the
machine, and being independent are
guided more by their own judgment
than they are influenced by the panic
of the political stampede.
Newspapers, like men, are begin
ming to realize that their greatest
power lies in political freedom. The
newspaper which accepts all the can
didates of any party on the wholesale
party ticket principle destroys its
greatest field for usefulness in a
community. 1t stamps indelibly upon
its editorials the marks of prejudice
which the voter recognizes at sight,
but which, few years ago, were in
harmony with the attitude of voters
in general. Something more is ex-
pected of the newspapers than un-
qualified support of any political ma
chine at time when the people are
forcing the adoption of laws provid-
ing for the direct election of all pub
lie officials.
The Guard under the present man
agement has been independent in po-
litical matters. The editor is regis
tered as a republican, but his politics
are absolutel yindependent. He has
been an ardent admirer and support
er of Woodrow Wilson, president of
these United States, and his policies.
He has watched the college professor
grow into the diplomat of nations,
and the conduct of the country's af-
fairs, under his guiding hand in time
of crisis, has revealed to him a man
whose service has been a godsen to
the nation. The Guard has repeated.
ly emphasized its position and it has
supported the administration not be-
cause it was democratic. but because
of the power of this great and sin
eere man and of actual services per-
formed.
The Guard has urged the eelction
of Frederick Hollister of Coos Bay
a democrat, as candidate for con-
gress and, today, announces that il
will support R. A. Booth of Eugene
a republican, as a candidate for
/ United States senator. In Mr.. Hol-
lister IT recognizes a man of ability
fully qualified to fill a position in
which W. c. Hawley. the present in.
cumbent, republican, has made an
utter failure.
In political matters there is nc
middle ground. 4 newspaper should
make its position known and moi
seek to dodge an issue or offer a pre-.
tended support. A thing is either
right or wrong, and it must be either
for or against a candidate. 1t ha:
ascertained the views of the candi
dates upon important issues. 1t ha'
studied their fitness for the position
and in announcing its decision doe!
so with the conviction that best re
suits, so far as the people of Oregon
are concerned. are to be attained
through the election of Mr.. Booth.
The Guard has not been influenced
by partisan politics. This decision il
the result of independent considera
ton of the candidates and thos'
things which have been paramoun
in daterminip, tbo o.a,,.s. - - IN