Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-04-16
WALTER M. PIERCE
CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR

State Senator Walter M. Pierce Of La
Grande is definitely a candidate for the
nomination for governor Of Oregon.
This became known yesterday when SEN
ator Pierce consented to enter the pri-
mary fight.
Organization Of Oregon for the win
ming of the war; is the slogan which
Senator Pierce has chosen to have in
serted after his name on the primary
ballot and in his formal declaration he
opposes any compromise until the war is
finally won from tho Central powers.
Senator Pierce is one of the best
known democrats in the state and has
been a prominent figure in Oregon poll
ties for a quarter of q century. He
has served for several years in the state
senate and has made a splendid record.
tifty-six years of age and a business
man Of no small ability, his friends
assert that he would make a splendid
governor.
Senator Pierce issued the following
statement in announcing his candidacy.
''After due deliberation / have decid-
ed to become candidate for the demo-
cratic nomination for governor at the
primary election to be held May 18th,
1915.
''puring my 35 years Of residence in
Oregon | have taken an active interest
in public affairs. At present | am state
senator representing Union and Wallowa
counties, and am now and have been
president of the State Taxpayers lea
que since its organization.
My position upon most public ques-
items is well known and understood. If
nominated and elected governor / pledge
my earnest and unqualified support to
President Wilson and to the great ef-
fort he is leading to win the war. In
this dark hour of our national life,
there is nothing else that counts. We
must win the war, or the principle that
all governments ''derive their just pow
ers from the consent of the governedo
after l40 years of active existence,
must perish.
~ pledge myself to labor unceasing.
~ to help alleviate the suffering so far
ms possible and administer to the com
forts of cur country s defenders.
81 believe Oregon should be organic
ed from top to bottom for the winning
of this war. No PERSONS time is his
own. Every man and woman ought to
labor in some occupation that will help
win the war. We should be SO organic.
ed that farms, shipyards and factories
manufacturing war material should not
feel the shortage of labor.
eve must work together as a united
people, with one purpose and one aim
or perish. Wages should be commensu-
rate with the increased cost of living.
"With these beliefs firmly fixed, if
were governor, / would ask all state in
stitutions to limit their money demands
to the very lowest point possible, SO
that this safe IS financial strength may
be conserved to be used for our defense
and to alleviate the sufferings of Ii
people that must follow this terrible
war.
~ am in favor of a vigorous good
roads program when the dark clouds
shall lift and our boys by the thousands
come home needing employment. Then
will be the time to active
road work that should cover this state
with a network of good roads, with the
main lines hard-surfaced.
~ believe that members Of the State
Highway commission should be given
a reasonable salary. I am firmly con-
WINGED that no more highway road
bonds should be sold, unless it be to