Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-01-06
The Canltal Journal carrier hoyg are instr
DICTATIoN OF THE oREGONIAN.

Because the Capital Journal advocates independent
action the part Of the legislators in the matter Of or
ganization and for all other purposes of legislation the
Oreeonian Jumps to the conclusion that Salem wants
something" Its only conception Of public business seems
TO be that paper Individual may take an interest III
it without having private graft to work through
That has been its rule of action so long that places
all other papers on the same low plane.
AS matter of fact the Capital journal has no inter
est in the coming legislature except that it would like to
see it organized in the interest of the people instead of the
Interests which are backed by the Portland paper This
paper not an organ of any corporation or individual
and since it derives its support from the plain people, the
business men, the farmers and the WOrkingmen 1t would
be shrkng duty if it failed to call attention to the men
ace of Portland dctaon at this time Possibly, as the
Oregonan contends, the big city wants no specific ap
preparations for Institutions located there but it is the
home of all the big interests which are desrous OF shaping
legislation along certain lines That is the real danger
which cOnfronts the people Of the state.
Immediately following the election, the Oregonian an
nGunced that w. Lair Thompson would be president OF
the senate Shortly afterWald it stated that Ben Selling
was the choice for speaker its misrepresentation of the
real facts causing many memberselect to send theil
pledges Of support to Mr. Selling For three weeks past
themembers of the Muomah delegation have been hold
ing miniature legislature in Portland under the lash of
the OregOnian, framing up program to be put through
when the real session meets in Salem,
This open declaration of state control by Portland sets
new precedent 1t is unheard-of proceeding and one
fraught with danger to the people OF the state to have
all Ce leglSldlOl Oh ue SESSION. COOheu UP lOI IeH III
the home of the corporations and interests 1t is open
and defiant bosssm not in harmony with the independent
spirit of the times.
The Capital Journal is not making personal fight for
Mr. Eaton 1t has feeling against Mr. Selling but fears
his leadership upon his record made as president Of the
senate The session he presided was Of the most
extravagant in the history Of the state and
Mr. Settings voice raised in protest his official powers
invoked to protect the taxpayers of the state In fact
there were few appropriations which Mr. Selling did not
vote for during his term Of office as legislator.
The Oregonan wants to know what we think the
Portland ring" contemplates doing. Candidy, do not
know if we did, might feel easier. We only know that
it is up to something and that in forcing the election of
Thompson for president Of the senate and Selling for
speaker of the house it has uterior objects in view If it
were not So the legislators would be allowed to proceed
in the constitutional and legal method with their organic
alton and business.
The Oregonian might tell the public what the program
is-but it won't.