East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1922-05-03
WHY SHOULD THE PORTLAND TELEGRAM
SELECT A CONGRESSMAN FOR US

and to answer the question, what has SnnOtt ever
done?" the Portland Telegram, through its political
editor has attempted to list the achievements of the con-
gessan from this dctrct and to derde the candidacy OF
James H. Gwnn. During the controversy the Port
land fair tax and the Waua cutoff the Telegram was the
most vehement of all Portland newspapers in opposing the
interests Of Eastern Oregon and in striving to undermine
the senators who stood by the welfare of this section Con-
sequenty the Telegram need be given no heed with refer
ece to our selection of congressman particularly since
Portland not in the second district The task of choos
ing congressman from Eastern Oregon rests with East
ern Oregon not with any Portland newspaper.
However, the Telegrams list Of Mr.. Sinnotts achieve
ments is amusing and interesting First upon the roll of
honor the Telegram rectes the claim that Mr. Sinnott se
cured appropriation of $150000 to combat the destc
tive pine tree beetle Whether the pine tree beetle
sailed from the or by the right flank is not disclosed
The East 0regonian admits its ignorance of Mr. Snnotts
great service in such field but trusts the pine trees are
none the worse for the medcinef they got any, whic
we doubt
For Mr. Sinnotts second great achievement the Tele-
gram asserts he induced the secretary Of the interior to
make an appropriation for the west extension OF the Una
tia project This would be to Franklin K. Lane
were he still alive Mr. Lane then secretary OF the in
terror and he made personal visit to the project as did al
so the director and engineers OF the reclamation service
who approved the project Mr. Sinnott was not even
member of the inspection party which conducted by
acomlnittee from PendletOn Hermiston Umatilla and
Portland DR.. G. j. Smith being the chairman No action
by congress secured needed The claim that
Mr. SnnOt induced the secretary OF the interior to 90
anything in connection with that project is political bunk
The present local supporters of Snnott at that time
hostile to the project and did all their power to defeat it.
The East Oregonan strongly champoned the project and
its local competitor then called the olive Wire was daily
filled with articles attempting to defame the move and
those who supported it. If the Portland Telegram knew
more about Eastern Oregon history it would never credit
Nick Snnot being the hero of the west extension Be-
sides Mr. Sinnott not chosen congressman until after
the fight virtually over. That is matter of record
The Telegram also credits Mr. Snnott with having led
the fight to turn royalties from oil lands to the ecaa
ton fund Perhaps he is entitled to praise in this
connection yet the measure was passed by democratic
congress under democratic president and others than
Mr. Sinnott entitled to credit than he Further
the reclamation fund gets little money from oil lands
and the fund is broke
1t is also claimed that Mr. Sinnott was on the popular
side of the Oregon California land grant case But th
main issue in that case rested with the United States SUI
preme court and is highly imaginary to give our con
gresham credit for supreme court decision when he dt
not appear in the case The case for the people pre-
sented by special attorney named by President Wilson
For the Legislative passed following the court
decision George E. Chamberlain and not Nick Snnot
entitled to credit Senator Chamberlain real powe
in that congress- Mr. Sinnott not for he then
of the "outs."
Other Accomplishments" listed by the Telegram ar
about in the same class Mr.. Snnot is credited with vol
ing for the soldier bonus bill but that bonus bill bon
less affair everyone knows He is given credit for
appropriation of 100000 for the Bajer project Ths
action should properly be credited to the director of til
reclamation service who took up the Baker or Powdt
river project after the Deschutes project had become
eligible for funds Mr.. Snnotts part in the deal conss
in claiming credit for routine proceeding by the reel
nation service.
Stripped political camouflage the record Of Congress