The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1922-09-15
The Telegram
Yunps the Yob

In Two. column front page editori-
al the Portland Telegram advises eau
ton regarding the proposed republi-
can convention to be held in Portland
September 26 and announces that if
the convention tries to hamstring the
direct primary law it will "oppose
with all the resources at its command
every republican nominee seeking ell
ection upon that platform"
Following is the Telegram's warn
ing in full.
From Eugene comes the announce
ment that Portland on September 26
is to be the scene of statewide re-
publican convention.
The call for the convention was is
sued at conference held in that city
Saturdays conference Of party teach
ers presided over by State Chairman
Walter L. Tooze, Jr,
Its purpose appears to be three-fold
First-to perfect a stsong party or
ganization.
Second-To draft and adopt a plat
form Of party principles.
Third--To pave the way for the So
called reformation of the direct pri-
mary law.
The first purpose is commendable
enough. If party organization is
perfected dedicated to the welfare of
the part-and not political ma
chine consecrated to the selfish ambi-
tions of few ring tailed politicians
it may contribute much toward re-
publican victory at the fall election.
But as to the other two purposes.
The Telegram desires to admonish
Chairman Tooze and the rest Of the
leaders to go slow.
If it is the purpose to draft and adj
opt platform with the same old po-
litical fustian and bombast with which
most party platform are replete. the
time and labor of the convention will
have been wasted.
If it is the purpose to 60 beyond
this, extreme caution must be exer-
cised, for there is grave danger of in
jecting issues into the campaign that
would further split the party into
cliques and factions.
Indeed, there is possibility Of the
convention itself becoming enough of
an issue under certain circums tsnce es
to split the parry asunda, and send it's
standard trail ,e an the dust Of de-
feat.
Just what is wrong with the direct
primary law that it should need re-
formation at the hands of a con-
7ention is not indicated in the dis
patches annount'.;.. the convention
Since the enactrelt Of this law
years ago the I'D guard politicians
have waged relentless warfare on it
because the people have without ex-
ception since elected their own can
didates instead Of those of the old
guard. The present onslaught on the
law is in all probability continuance
of this old war,
In 1910 the old guard made the d.
rect primary law the paramount cam
paign issue by holding an assembly
and nominating ticket in opposition
to the direct primary nominees.
The result was that Democrat was
elected to the executive chair and that
later Democrat was elected United
States senator.
Before commencing in the midst of
one of the most critical campaigns in
Oregon's political history, to tamper
with the direct primary law, Chair
man Tooze and his committee should
pause and seriously consider the pos
siility of history repeating itself.
Morever, Chairman Tooze and his
committe might also pause and give
consideration to the fact that the
function Of the organization he heads
is to elect the Republican ticket, and
not to propose legislation. The pro-
posal and enactment Of legislation is
a function reserved to the legislature
and the people.
The truth is that there is nothing
seriously wrong with the direct pri-
mary law beyond defects which can
be remedied by the legislature. With.
out assuming in the slightest to at
tempt to dictate to the coming con.
vention, the Telegram desires to an
nounce that if the declaration of prin-
ciples carries a plank hamstringing
this system of popular nomination it
will oppose with all the resources at
its command every Republican nomin-
es seeking election upon the platform.