Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1918-01-31
Ben w. 0lcott Enters
Governor Campaign

the primary election to be held Fri
day, May II.
If am elected governor shall re-
sign the office of secretary of state
and thus permit the present govern
or to appoint my successor.
This is a time when patriotism
calls for the greatest economy and
efficiency in the conduct of state af
fairs. There is urgent need for the
application of business principles to
state business, from the highest Of
flee to the lowest, so those who pay
the taxes may get full value for the
sums they are contributing to main
tain the state government
To accomplish this will be the ex-
emplification of practical patriotism,
and will meet in state government
that which is being urged so strongly
upon each citizen Of the nation,
namely, conservation of all our re-
sources so our full strength may be
used in carrying to successful con-
clusion the war in which we are now
engaged. No deed should be left un-
done that will aid in winning the
war. No sacrifice is too great for
those who remain at home.
In every political campaign the
crv for economy and efficiency has
been raised, and believe the mood
of the citizens of this state is now
such that they are going to see that
waste and extravaganza are eliminat-
ed. They are going to insist on bust
Eess principles being applied to the
public business, from the top down.
1t is in this connection that l feel
l can give the greatest service to the
state as its chief executive. AS Sec
retary of state l have made business
efficiency my first consideration and
have achieved results which l gladly
submit to the voters as the basis for
my aspiration to serve the state in
a larger field.
There is no reason why every d..
partment Of the state government
should not be conducted on absolute
" efficient lines, and IL | am elected
governor l shall make it my business
to inject business economy and busi-
ness efficiency into the many depart
Ilents and commissions which come
under the direction of the chief ex-
ecutive. l will hold my appointees
to as high degree of efficiency in
the public service as is exacted from
men in the employ of the best man
aged private businesses. When I
make an appointment that persons
whole time must be devoted to the
duties of his office. l shall be con-
trolled by no one and will be guided
by business principles and common
sense.
The state is similar to large bust
ness corporation 1t is the peoples
corporation. A private corporation,
unless backed by unlimited resources
like the state, would not long sur
vive if it did not have at its head
nan who fully devoted his time and
capabilities in applying business
judgment and business economy to
its affairs. Neither can the states
business run of itself and keep with
IN the bounds of economy and on
plane of efficiency. AS governor l
would expect to be the business head
Of the great corporation of the peo-
pie and would apply my energies to
make success of the business.
Because all state business flows
through the office of secretary Of
state no office affords such intimate
knowledge of state affairs as does It,
This office I have held for the last
seven years. The knowledge and eX-
pcrience thus gained will be of i'm
mense value to a chief executive.
ADDED to this is my familiarity with
state institutions and activities
gained as member of the board of
The people of Oregon have en-
voiced their sentiment in
favor of prohibition, and if l am
elected governor / shall consider it
ny duty to use the power of that Of
ice to see that the laws are enforced
And If, while am governor the
dry" amendment to the federal con-
providing for national pro-
is submitted to the states
or ratification, l shall give 1t my
Endorsement and urge its speedy ap-
,roval by the Oregon legislature.
likewise, should the national wom-
ms suffrage amendment pass con-
,ress, as 1t now appears it will,
nall give it similar endorsement.
AS the proper performance Of my
luties as secretary of state requires
ny undivided personal attention, /
hall spend no time campaigning
'ver the state. The people Of the
tate are paying me a salary to look