Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-05-08
Taxpayers Get
No Satisfaction
From Candidates

II the taxpayers Of Marion county,
who assembled in the court house this
forenoon to interview candidates for
the legislature and get an expression
from them as to their positions rela-
tive to the measures to be decided by
the people at the primary election on
the 21st Of this month. expected TO get
a sentiment of commitment, they were
very much disappointed. There were
several candidates present pursuant
to invitation of the taxpayers league,
and Tom Kay was the first of the
number to be called for remarks
In opening his address Mr.. Kay
said. Il first want to make protest
against the leagues attempt to pick
five candidates for the legislature at
this meeting. This Is matter for the
people to decide themselves. 1t is un-
fair and unjust for this body of men
to ask one Of these men to state just
what measures he will or will not sup
port In order to get the Endorsement
of this league. II is simply resorting
to the old convention system of select
ing candidates and contrary to the
laws OF Oregon. 1t is machine polh
tics. Why should you men and women
get together here and Fix a ticket? 1t
would be detrimental TO the five can
didates whom you should choose"
Mr. Kay urged the taxpayers to give
this movement further consideration,
and stated that he did not believe they
had given il the proper consideration.
s'If you men expect to pick men as
one of the candidates who will commit
myself II this Is the issue" said the
speaker you may count me ous. "
{ Mr.. Kay picked the merits of the prop
osition to pieces and stated his inten-
campaign. He said he was In favor OF
conservative legislation, and economy,
but not to an extent that the interests
of the state might be hampered, or
words to that effect. Mr.. Kay said
that he had served In both houses and
bills which he believed TO be against
4he interests Of the people in general,
and he said further that, IL elected to
ahe legislature, he would pursue along
those lines, giving the taxpayers to un.
derstand that he intends to do what he
thinks Is right for the welfare Of the
most people regardless of how they
are going to vote at the polls at the
primary election
Frank Davey, having been called tc
The platform, indorsed Mr. Kay's sentl
ment To the letter and made brilliant
address which met with hearty ap
plause. He stated his position similar
TO the previous speaker and up to tn,
time OF adjournment at noon the tax
payers had not been successful in get
ting sentiment In sympathy will
dhelr movement. Sam a. Hughes wal
sailed upon for a speech and talke,
for several minutes regarding what h,
had done IN the matter of conservative,
legislation in former years and wha
ne expects to do In the future IL elect
ed Ivan G.. Martin was the last speak
er before adjournment, and he, too
expressed regrets that the taxpayer
had undertaken to select five mel
from the fourteen candidates whom
they believed would work In sympath
with them in an effort to defeat tn
measures at issue.
motion was made to adjourn, bu
hefore the motion was carried tn
chairman announced that the meetin
would be called again at o'clock.
A meeting will be held in silverto