The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1922-11-02
ELECTION REWARDS

will their votes be cast on the sloe oI
honest service such as Ben w. Olcott
has rendered during his term as COVER
nor? Are the electors going to be the
victims of political expediency and i'm
possible promise or will they stop to
analyze the past. present and future,
insofar as they pertain to points in
volved in the campaign, and and by
their votes sanction an administration
against which no taint of dishonesty,
sharp practice or inefficiency can be
truthfulIy cited?
Voters of Oregon, just as much as
the two candidates, Pierce and Olcott,
are going to be on trial next Tuesday.
Basically, the electors are going to
pass upon principles the candidates
stand for, rather than on the candid
ates themselves. This is true in most
elections. But at the coming contest,
the principles are little different
from the usual ones in an Oregon CUB
ernatorial election. Party allegiance
is largely going into the discard Tues
day. In the past in Oregon we have
seen party disintegration come about
because of personality of candidate.
If it comes next Tuesday it will be
because of the interjection into Oregon
politics Of religious and racial preju-
dice.
If Walter M. Pierce is elected it will
be because of his espousal of the Com
pulsory Educational Bill. Mr.. Pierce
at Pine Grove declared that he had for
years dreamed of just such bill. Yet,
according to reports from eastern Ore
gon, now that the tide on the bill is
running extremely strong against in
stead Of for it. Mr.. Pierce's brother is
quietly buttonholing ministers and citi-
zens and telling them that Brother
Walter is not at heart for the proposed
school measure; that he was forced to
espouse it as a matter of political ex-
pediency. His action in this wise was
no different from that some l9 years
earlier, when as matter of financial
expediency he manipulated dummy
transfers of real estate to secure $685.
900 of the Oregon State School Fund.
Mr.. Pierce is willy; Wen give him full
credit for being an expert in whip
ping the devil around the stump" Mr..
Pierce's ideas on tax reduction have in
measure been evolved as the cam
paign progressed. 1t is true that he
has been shouting a heavy tax reduc-
tion ever since last winter, when he
was a member of the tax commission,
theimembers'o s'ofswhich were appointed
by Governor Olcott. He proposed to
cut the tax so per cent for time. but
gradually. as the preposterous promise
in the light Of reason, sounded like
comedy and began TO fare back he
took further tasks and expounded new
doctrines. He proposed gross earning
and severance taxes, and what not.
Walter Pierce is still believed by some
voters. Others, who silently accept
him because they are unbending in
their party affiliations, will support
him. But the greatest element of his
support will come from Oregonians who
are too blinded by prejudice to ponder
over anything he may say other than
his promises to abide by their "holier
than thou" edicts. We wonder what
the klan and +. o. p. element think of
the silent campaign Of the brother in
eastern Oregon, that brother who
quietly goes about and says that
Brother Walter was forced TO declare
himself for the school bill. But then,
i may be likely that the khan element
knew Of the brothers. silent campaign.
They are after votes for Walter. And
Walter is after votes for Walter. 1t
ioes not matter just how they are
oried loose from the electorate. Mr..
Pierce is determined 10 be governor at
my price. Oregon has never been 80
ieluged by an avalanche Of demagog-
lery as be has poured forth.
Ben W. olcott is going to get the
support Of the backbone Of the Repub-
iean party. Many Democrats as a re-
1uke against the form Of campaigning
'eing pursued by Mr.. Pierce are going
% cast their votes for Governor Olcott
4 the latter is defeated it will be be-
.ause Of the interjection Of the school
'ill and religious issue. Governor Oh
oft has not voiced his opinion with re-
ervstions. Last spring before the
Urinary, be cut straight through and
eft no one in doubt as to his stand on Q
INVISIBLE government and rising fac 9
ions that tended to set the state by
be ears and leave sore spots because ?
( religious intolerance. This element
hat seeks through hidden sources to
irect the election Of officials and, af- 4
ar their election. then to direct gov X
mmentsl machinery is unaltersbly Il
Dposed TO Ben Olcoit. His record Of
lresty and efficiency has no appeal
It. D
There is no need 70 express any fears Il
to bow HOod River county viii vote. o,
has always been q strong Republi-
n county, and il viii 20 continue.
lile some Of the Democrats here are r,
.ng to remain staunch 70 their party te
liations, others declare. without any fu
Invocation. that they cannot stomach
Pierce, and Governor Olcott viii
sive q heavy poll Of Democratic h