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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (March 25, 1900)
IS THE SUNDAY OREGONIAN, PORTLAND, MARCH 25, 1900.' DEMOCRATS AT SEA Party in Oregon Is Without Definite Policy. a, CHANCE FOR RHETORIC IN APRIL Three Candidates for Congress in tlio First District and Tn o in tlic Second. There is not a Democrat in Oregon -who knows what the State Conveition of the party will do when it meets in Portland, April 12. It is a clear case of man propos ing and the convention disposing. The 3iest-lald plans for concerted action are likely to be knocked into a cocked hat. The reason for this is that no element in the party la strong enough to control the convention. It is reasonably certain that the Puerto Rico policy of the Ad ministration will be denounced and the Chicago platform reaffirmed In some form or other, but beyond this nothing is sure. Unless signs fall, the Democrats will have a lively time at their State Conven tion. They will meet the same day as the Republicans and the Populists. A considerable elenrent in the Democratic Convention will favor fusion with the Populists, and another considerable ele ment, mindful of the disaster in 1S98. will oppose any attempt at fusion; one element will favor a short platform, re affirming the Chicago platform in the fewest possible words, and another ele ment will fight for a long platform, re affirming in detail the Chicago platform and promulgating the Democratic doc trine as to the new issues which have arisen since 1S2G; another element will tfavor straight-out indorsement of Bryan and his isms, and another will oppose .Bryan and his fads in the. hope of paving the way for the return of the Gold Dem ocrats to the fold. It does not seem pos sible for the Oregon Democrats to aban don the Chicago platform. Explaining this, a prominent Democrat said the other 3ay that all that is left of the party in this state believes in the platform, and that this following should have the poli cies of 1S9C in their entirety. The most that can be said of the outlook is that It promises abundant opportunity for Democratic rhetoric. Talk about candidates is confined to the Congressional nominations. Those men tioned in tho Second District are ex-State Senator John H. Smith, of Astoria, and State Senator J. W. Morrow, of Hepp ner. Those mentioned in the First Dis trict are Robert A. Miller, of Oregon City; M. A Miller, of Lebanon, and H. L. Heath, of McMinnville, formerly a Captain in the Second Oregon "Volunteers. Robert A. Miller is an old-timer in the political arena. He has represented Jack son County in the Lower House of tho legislature. In 1890 he was the Democratic nominee for Congress, and came within about 10,000 votes of beating Blnger Her mann. In 1892 he was one of the Demo cratic candidates for Presidential Elec tor, and withdrew in time to permit the fusion that resulted in the choice of a "Weaver elector. M. A Miller is an am bitious young man, who would be willing to try the Congressional nomination as a stepping-stone to the Vice-Presidency. Captain Heath is regarded with favor be cause he Is a veteran of the Spanish and Filipino wars, but his fellow Democrats are anxiously inquiring about his ability to put up a strong fight on the stump. The ability of the Millers to talk on any subject, at any time and to any assem blage, is not doubted in any Quarter. Views of Democratic Committeemen. Some time ago The Oregonlan sent let ters to the members of the Democratic State Central Committee, asking them to discuss political issues and the advisa bility of abandoning Bryan and free sil ver. Though The Oregonlan placed its columns at the service of these commit teemen, but three .replied. These letters follow : Where air. Miller's Heart Is. . LEBANON, Or., March 22. I am for the Chicago platform, "V. J. Bryan and tho Boers. M. A. MILLER. BRYAN HIS CHOICE. Tho Only Man "Wlio Can Unite the Democratic Party. HEPPNER, Or., March 22. The Demo cratic State Convention, in my opinion, should reaffirm the Chicago platform in its entirety. As to a straight Democratic ticket or fusion, I am in favor of any action of the convention that they may cee fit to take. My personal views are that in union there ds strength. I am in favor of, and have no doubt that the Democrats will make free silver an issue in the next campaign, for the rea son the Democratic party and all others who believe in the free and unlimited coinage of both silver and gold at the present ratio are honest in their belief that it would be a great benefit to the country at large. I am in favor of expansion and of an nexing all countries and peoples and mak ing them a part of this great Republic, who come willingly and ask for admis sion. I am not in favor of coercing tho people of any foreign country to become citizens or dependents of the United States. I am in favor f the nomination of "William J. Bryan or President, and be lieve that if any uan can do so that Ma can unite all people in favor of the views advocated by the Democratic party. G. -W. REA. DROP FREE SILVER. One Committeeman Lukevraria to Brjnn and 1G to 1. FRINEVILLE, Or., March 22. Tho Democratic State Convention to be held at Portland, April 12, should reaffirm, tho -Chicago platform in Its entirety, except as to tho free silver and national bank planks. I do not think the free silver coinage plank should be made the leading Issue as In 1S96, although I am in favor of blmetallsm. Under existing circum stances, I have no objection to thp na tional banking system, if tho central Gov ernment will exercise such control as to prevent them from contracting their cur rency to the Injury of commerce Do I favor a straight Democratic ticket this year, or a fusion ticket? To the first I answer yes. To the second I an swer that I fear fusion would lose more votes than we would gain. In fusion we nave two sets of office-seekers to satisfy, thereby causing double friction and dis content. The past has taught me to so licit joiners, and not partners, so I say, have a straight Democratic ticket on Democratic principles, and If we nra buried, let us hide beneath a Democratic tombstone. Should the Democrat's make free silver an issue this year or drop It? This ques tion I have already answered. However, I will add that the financial bill recently passed settles that question for the pres ent. The gold standard is on us. Cleve land unearthed It. In 1S9C the Republic ans, Instead of reaffirming their 16-to-l policy of 1S34, "swiped" from sound-money Cleveland this gold standard and put II in their platform with a fraudulent inter national tail attached thereto. Not satis fied with that, they robbed "Dick" Bland of his co-worker and stanch friend of 1C to 1. and took him on probation. He sfraddJcd tho platform and rode It Into the President's chair, and it has come to pass that "William McKInley has been born again, has actually got from astride, placed both legs on the samesIdo and de clared In his message in favor of the gold standard. Hence. I reoeat: The gold standard Is on us and free silver should not be tho issuo this year. Lot tho money question alone and it will adjust itself and do it propeny. as it has done for a- period of 100 years in the pa&t. I oppose expansion, for the reason that to annex tho Philippine Islands would bo to give them a voice In the affairs of our general Government, a function, I think, they are incompetent to perform. To hold them as subjects against their will would be unconstitutional. Free government can only exist as such by consent of the governed. "We are there, and we can't and -won't run, but we can give-them tho same government as we give Cuba. "My country, right or wrong?" Yes; my child; right wrong, too, but if either is wrong my duty is to stay the closer until they are put right In the eyes of the world. Should William J. Bryan be nominated for President, or should the nominee ba a man able to reunite the party? This is a hard one, your honor. McKin!eys hasty work, in the first place, in declar ing war in the Philippines and his lack of firmness afterwards, his drag-along policy, has done quite a llttlo to reunite the Democrats. However, the job is in complete. If a man can be found who will do the work, I would favor him. A man like Morgan of Alabama, who stayed with the Democrats in 1S9G, yet leaned to the gold standard, but was never broad-mouthed on the money question, might be a logical candidate if he could be born again on expansion. But Mor gan is for expansion, and he is not one of those flexible fellows who can be ad justed to suit the platform. Bryan, or whoever may be the nominee, should be a man in full accord with the platform that may be formulated at the National convention. H. TAYLOR HILL. SPEECH BY HERMAN. Extracts From ''His Address Before a Sew York Clnb. At the recent annual dinner of the West Side Republican Club, in New York City, on March 10, Commissioner Hermann was one of the speakers, and followed Govern or Roosevelt. Subjoined are several ex tracts from Mr. Hermann's speech: "When wo address ourselves to the young voters of the country and they hold the balance of povrr we perform our duty when we remind them that the most eminent Americans of the last half cen tury -were those who followed the teach ings and rejoiced in the achievements of the Republican party. "We were selling twice as much as we were buying, a test which is as Inspiring and as significant in the affairs of a na tion as in those of an individual. There has been found no other instance within tho century where the exports of a na tion have been double its Imports. In deed, I think it may be said that this is a record without a parallel in the annals of tho world. Last year our total foreign commerce exceeded two thousand millions of dollars in value. We are today the greatest agricultural, the greatest manu facturing and the greatest mining nation on the lace of the earth. Wo are also the richest nation. Three years ago we were a debtor nation; today we are a creditor nation. Threo years ago, in the labor cir cles, it was three men for one job; now it is three jobs for one man. "As tho result of the Spanish War we are confronted with the troublesome in cidents which always follow. Of the va rious acquisitions, which come to us from Spain, only the Philippine Archipelago seems to have enlisted the sympathy of our political opponents. True to the tra ditions of the Democratic party. It must oppose every act of the Republican party today, though tomorrow It will approve and indorse, and it will be an exception In Its history If it does not Insist that It was tho only expansionist party at this time. "All of the great additions to our Na tion in- the past were secured by Demo cratic Administrations. Perhaps the high est encomium ever paid to the policy of expansion was that by President Pierce when he said In his first annual message: 'The United States have continually and gradually and steadily expanded through acquisitions of territory -which how much so ever some of them may have been questioned, aTe now universally seen and admitted to have been wise In policy, just in character and a great element in tho advancement of our country. "The Spanish possessions came to us by operation of war. Having been thus ac quired, our obligations to humanity, to other nations to the Filipinos themselves make it indispensable that we retain control of these possessions. It is not now so much how to escape our responsibili ties as it is how to meet them. The great Republican party has never avoided a duty in the past, and it will not shrink Its re sponsibility now. It will succeed with these acquisitions and these people as oth er administrations have succeeded with the various cessions heretofore made. We shall guarantee them a stable govern ment; we shall give them, in the course of time, the liberties we enjoy and the blessings of a republican form of gov ernment. We shall not sail away, nor shall wo haul down the flag hoisted in those far distant lands by the valor and at the sacrifice of the precious lives of our best manhood. In tho patriotic words of President McKInley to Admiral Dewey, 'There was no flaw in your victory there will be no faltering in maintaining it.' V POPULISTS OF UXIOX. Central Committee Is Against Fnslon Two Fusion 31 embers Rcslsrn. La Grande Observer. The Populist central committee of Union County met In La Grande the 15th Inst, and selected April D as the date for holding their county convention at La Grande, and the primaries to be held on March 31. (The Democratic convention Is to be held April 5.) The question of taking steps toward fol lowing in the line of the state central com mittee, towards securing union with tha Democrats, -was one of tho principal fea tures of the meeting. Those who cham pioned the union side were Senator Justus Wade and J. T. Woodel, of AllceL They set forth the facts that It was not possible for a straight middle-of-the-road Populist ticket to be elected; that It is plain to be seen that Mr. Bryan will again be the nominee of the two parties, and the only -way to succeed in getting men elected who will legislate Populist principles Is to place the party in shape for a satisfactory union. Mr. Logsdon, while a strong unionist two years ago, expressed himself as being thoroughly disgusted with the treatment received at the hands of the Democrats, and stated that he favored placing a straight ticket In the field. Karl Stackland. always a strong middle-of-the-roader, is still there, as were also Mr. C. D. Huffman and others. The test vote came upon a motion to set the date and place of holding the conven tion the same dates as selected by the Democrats. The motion was lost. After palling tho meeting to order. Coun ty Chairman G. H. Currey tendered his resignation, and W. T. Grlder was chosen in his place. , A. "V. Oliver, who had faithfully per formed tho duties of secretary, tendered his resignation, and C. Logsdon -was elect ed In his place. Justus Wade resigned as committeeman of the Summerville precinct, and J. X Woodel as committeeman of Allcel. MOODY AND McCAMAXT. Latter Approves the Former's Vote on the Puerto Rico Bill. The Times-Mountaineer, of The Dalles, recently published a statement that Rep resentative Moody would find Wallace Mc Camant, of Multnomah, opposing him for the Congressional nomination, and Inti mating that Moody'6 course on the Puerto RIcan bill would be made the excuse for antagonism to him. The article brought the following letter from Mr. McCamant, under date of March 19: "I am not, have not been and will not be a candidate for this nomination, nor do I think that there Is or will be any rivalry between Portland and Eastern Oregon on the subject. I am of the. opin ion that the Multnomah delegation will be unanimously In favor of Mr. Moody's re election. "Perhaps I may be permitted to add that, so far from criticising Mr. Moody for his vote on the Puerto RIcan bill, I am in accord with the position he has taken on that measure, and have written him a let ter expressing my approval of his action." THE WAR. OF POLITICS. Comment on Partisanship From In dependent Standpoint. Grant's Pass Courier. The war of politics is now about to be gin, and from now till after the Presiden tial election the country will be credited with more ailments than the dictionary furnishes names for them. Each aliment will have a dozen or more remedies, which will be prescribed for by the various po litical physicians, and if tne country could only take the whole dose at once it would have need for no further prescriptions In this world. Every measure which has been brought forward In the past 20 years will be overhauled and shown to be both boon and calamity by the educators of the various political faiths. This Is the etiquette of politics: To ally yourself with ono or another of the "parties"; to sub merge yourself and become part of the great machine; to swear by your "party" I and to believe It infallible at all times; to I cease your Independent thought and let your party leaders do your thinking for you. Do all this and experience boss rule all your days. A man does not have to be a Republican, Democrat or Populist. It is no dlsgraco to belong to no party. A man Is privileged to try to discern whatever good there Is in any measure or principle, whatever party advocates It. When he votes, he will cast his ballot where, In hla judgment, it will best help along the cause of right, Justice and general welfare. In a county or city election, tariff and gold standard cut little figure, reason how you may. Vote for the man. For legislators, of course, tho polit ical' principle must be considered. It la not the best way to vote for or against any measure because any party advocates or opposes it. It should be considered ac cording to its merits and without preju dice. No political party is perfect, and it Is foolish to make any appear so. The movement is toward Independent thought, which Is a good sign. Principle should be of more importance than party. Abandoning the Initiative. Coquillo Herald (Pop.). Tho Populists will not conduct their precinct primaries as formerly, on the Initiative plan, but In convention. The precinct county committee member Is supposed to preside, or In his absence or preference a chairman can bo chosen, a secretary appointed, and tho usual con vention proceedings had of choosing dele gates to County Convention, and, If de sired, instructing same as to preferences for county candidates. The precinct con vention will also select candidates for Road Supervisors and their usual pre cinct or district officers. Yarn on a Salesi Politician. Capital Journal. There has been so much Inquiry for tho Tom Bruce calf story that the Journal will have to tell it. Ono Sunday morning, soon after Tom was elected a Baptist dea con, he got all dressed up to go to church before feeding a fine sucking calf he was raising. The calf bucked Its head into tho pall of milk and nearly ruined Tom's suit of Sunday "best. It was then his political enemies say ha exclaimed: "If it wasn't for the love of God spread about In my heart, I'd smash your d d head off." Where They Draw the Line. Indianapolis Journal. Ex-Senator Edmunds, of Vermont, has repudiated the assumption that he will carry his opposition to expansion so far as to vote for Mr. Bryan. In the ex Senator's estimation Mr. Bryan stands for so many things that are antagonistic to' sound Republicanism that he prefers to trust his own party in spite of its ad vocacy of expansion. It is Drpbable that Mr. Edmunds represents nine-tenths of the Republicans who do not favor the ac quisition of the Philippines. Precept vs. Practice In Lane County. Florenco West The People's party has been for years past advocating direct legislation, and has made that one of the prominent articles of its political faith. But when the County Central Committee of that party selects the delegates to tho State Con vention, instead of leaving this to the County Convention, as Is nearly always done by the other parties, it looks to a man up a tree very much as If its pre cepts are directly at variance with Its practice. Hanna's Primacy in Danger. Roseburg Democrat. Senator Simon is reported In the dis patches as taking the most advanced grounds of any Republican Senator on the Puerto Rico Question, if little Joe still retains his political cunning he will be bossing Mark Hanna around beforo the end of the present session of Congress. The Eligible Contemporary. Chicago Times-Herald. It is provided that no man shall have his name placed In New York's Temple of Fame until after he shall have been dead at least 10 years. This makes David B. Hill our only, eligible contemporary. 7. . jy777::: """ '- r " flMATSI I A DDIM ADiPQ UlTlAl ILLV Fit I 111 A KlLO INTERPRETED TO MEAX DEFEAT OF TAYLOR AXD LOWELL. In Clatsop C. J. Curtis' Has Troubles McCaniant Indorses Moody's Vote on Puerto Rican Bill. Today, says the Pendleton East Ore gonlan of March 2L the first real battle of the Republican campaign has been in progress. Although there have not been many open expressions indicative of con tention between factions, anv nnp tcho Tin for a moment turned aside from his busl- J ness ana inquirea into tne local political conditions has quickly learned that Uma tilla County Republicans aro fighting fiercely. The publication of his open letter to Sixth District Republican voters "by Judge DANGEROUSLY NEAR AN ABYSS. lfi Lowell last week was the best criterion by which to judge tho trend of events. So soon as the letter appeared, It became apparent that there was a Lowell and anti Lowell contest waging, and that the pri maries and county convention would cen ter around that issue as the one para mount. It Is generally understood that the In terests which ore opposing Judge Lowell have also declared war on Senator Tay lor. This Is a fact not denied, and, in truth, the supremacy of Judge Lowell and Senator Taylor or of the opposing ele ments is the one issue which Interests Re publican voters today. It is also true that tho head and front of the anti-Lowell element Is W. J. Furnish, who, with some other strong Republicans about him, has organized the battle. That Mr. Furnish commands the forces is conceded. The Republican primaries today have, therefore, been Intensely Interesting, not only to Republicans, but as well to Demo crats. For it has been a struggle to con trol tho machinery of the party In this county. i POLITICAL NOTES. A Variety of Items From Many Farts of Oregon. Arlington Democrats have started a club with 72 members. Sylvester Pennoyer Is left off the big committee to welcomo Bryan. B. B. Colbath seems likely to be the Democratic nominee for Sheriff of Marlon County. Columbia County Republicans will hold their primaries March 31 and convention April 9. Gilliam County Populists will hold pri maries March 23 and their convention two days later. Washington County fusionlsts havo set their primaries for March 31, and conven tion on April 7. The Jefferson Review says Colonel Bryan's popularity is "not so great as at the time of his former visit." There is a hard fight on In Washington County among Republicans for the Sher iff's nomination. Five aspirants are hard at work. The Republicans of Lane County are said to be well organized this year. But the Fusionlsts expect to -win in June, nevertheless. Tho foreman of the Eugene Guard, a Democratic paper, Is prominently men tioned for Assessor by the Republicans of Lano County. There were men who said Mr. Seward was trying to destroy the country by the purchase of Alaska, but they havo long been forgotten. The Republican paper at Tho Dalles has this dispatch from Pendleton, Umatil la County: "Primaries all O. K. A Moody delegation assured." Gold Democrats make no announcements of conventions or calls by primaries In Oregon, and aro evidently aligning them selves with other parties. T. L. Davidson Is talked of by Marlon County Democrats for County Judge. Ho held the office for one year by appoint ment of Governor Pennoyer. Kentucky held Its first election under the Goebel law last November, and has been threatened with civil war ever since. The cloud today Is as dark as ever. Walla Walla Democrats are making big preparations to receive Bryan, but are undecided whether to have him speak in teh open air or at theOpera-House. Colonel Bryan's visit serves one pur posebrings to light a "Silver Republi can" on the welcoming committee. It had been feared there was none left in the state. The names of Mayor Davis, of Union, O. W. Williams, of La. Grande, and A. J. Goodbrood, of Union, are mentioned for the Republican nomination of Representa tive. The Elgin Recorder says that "Senator Simon, of Oregon, takes a proper view of the Puerto RIcan tariff measure. In oppos ing the levy of any tariff on the products of that island. The Roseburg Plaindealer reports "that Judge J. W. Hamilton, of this city, is to be the Democratic candidate for Con gress In this district against Hon. Thomas H, Tongue, and that the advent of Bryan lln Oregon Is for the purpose of furthering the Interest of Judge Hamilton." The Roseburg Review says Judge Hamilton denies the report, and is not a candidate. A Pendleton dispatch says that "a care fully prepared report shows the voting population of the city to be 70 per cent Republican. The Supremo Court of Missouri decides that the Nesblt law Is not special legis lation. It is a matter that may receive Congressional attention after the next election. Tho Douglas County delegation to the Republican state convention will probably present to the convention the name of Judge J. C. Fullerton, of Roseburg, as a candidate for Presidential elector. "The Republican party Is steadily gain ing ground in Harney County," says the .Burns .News, "and the great strength shown at the primaries in the different precincts is evidence of party success.1 Chairman Llvermoro. of the ReDubli- can Central Committee of Umatilla Coun ty, says that "Republicanism was never stronger and more active in the county than it" Is this year. Perfect harmony prevails, and I don't think the Republi- cans will havo any trouble whatever in carrying tho countythl3 Summer and Fall. Republicans are more enthused this year than ever beforo and new recruits aro be ing added to the ranks every day." The Democratic County Central Com mittee of Yamhill County has fixed Sat urday, March 31, as the date for pri maries, and April 7 as the date for coun ty convention, to elect delegates to tho state convention. Republican primaries in La Grande next Tuesday will have lists of candidates for delegates as follows: In precinct 1, 7 names, 7 to be chosen; in precinct 2, 22 names, 9 to be chosen; In precinct 3, 9 names, 4 to be chosen. Tho Polk County Central Committee of the "People's Free Silver Republican Democratic Party" was called together tho 17th by the chairman at Dallas. Tho time for the holding of tho county conven tion was set for April 16. Tho town of Dufur, In Wasco County, was a redhot center of the free-silver mania four years ago. Today, according to the report of one who knows every man in tho precinct, two only are sus pected of clinging to the fallacy. The Hlllsboro Argus makes a suggestion, as follows: "Mr. Corbett says that the $115 he paid to Dr. Driver has not to hla knowledge been paid back to any person. Perhaps the old gentleman placed tho 'dough' In somo missionary fund." A. Noltner, editor of the Portland Week-' ly Dispatch, and an old-lino Democrat, who refuses to fuse with Populists and other disgruntled politicians, does not fa vor tho nomination of Colonel William J. Bryan by the Democratic National Con vention. Delegates to tho Republican State Con vention from Harney County are I. S. Goer, Grant Thompson and C. Cummins. The chairman of the County Central Com mittee Is Charles Newell; secretary, W. A. Robertson. A Hlllsboro paper thinks that since tho Mltchell-Corbott controversy has appeared in- Tho Oregonlan, Governor Geer will per haps revise that Eastern-sent dispatch which assured Easterners that money had never been spent in Oregon Senatorial elections. . Bryanltes at Tacoma are enjoying such good times and aro so flush of money that they propose to erect, before April 3, a wigwam to seat 13,000, and expect it to be crowded when tho unscarred Colonel visits that city, with his story of calamity and disaster. The Democratic paper at The Dalles makes a prediction that the nominees -of Its political faith "will serve Wasco Coun ty tho next two years." Any one who cares to test the value of the prophecy should watch the returns from Wasco County the morning of June 5. The Tillamook Herald makes complaint because Judge Boise has "not held court In that county at the time appointed by law." It acknowledges that the trip across the mountains to Tillamook is very hard on an aged man, and wants him to resign, so a younger judge may be ap pointed. The effect of Colonel Bryan's visit is thU3 forecast by an editor at Eugene, who supported the fusion of 1ESG: "He will visit Oregon, saturate the state with florid oratory and In June we will roll up an other big Republican majority, with some to spare." A telegram from Washington to the Eu gene Guard reports that "Government of ficials receiving appointment from Ore gon will be assessed for the purpose of assisting in the Republican campaign in that state." In Marlon County It Is a question whether tho Prohibitionists cast enough votes at the last election to entitle them to a place this year on tho Australian ballot. But two nominees of the party re ceived 3 per cent of the total vote, and they may have to resort to petition to get on tho ballot. The Tillamook Headlight "wonders If there are any popocrats left at South Prairie? Surely, when the last returns of the cheese factory in that district gives dairymen 30 cents per pound for butter fat, calamity-howlers must feel like whipped dogs when they see so much prosperity everywhere." The Republican National Convention twill most in Philadelphia Juno 1$: the Populist National Convention In Sioux Falls, S. D., May 9; the MlddlQ-of-the-Road Popullats will meet In Cincinnati on the same day; the prohibitionists In Chi cago, June 27; and the Democratic Na tional Convention in Kansas City, July 4. Judge Stephen A. Lowell's candidacy for Senator brings this comment from one of his county papers, the Milton Eagle: "Mr. Lowell Is a man of fine ability and .incorruptible integrity, and would be a credit to the state as Its Representative in Congress, but from the policy outlined In his statement It Is extremely improbable that he could be elected. During the debate In the Senate on the Puerto RIcan bill, Senator Tillman said: "I'm always willing to trust William Mc KInley, but If s his bad and wicked part ners that I'm afraid of. He is a patriotic and noble man, although just now he may be carried off his feet by the dream of ap pearing in history alongside of Jefferson and others who added largely to our ter ritory." Democratic primaries in Union County are to be held March 31, and the conven tion a week later. The call of the central comlmttee "Invites all voters opposed to the national policies qf the Republican parti', as exemplified by the McKInley ad ministration upon the question of Imperi alism, trusts and finance, to participate with the Democrats In said primaries and conventions." County Recorder Maloney, of Umatilla, tells a Pendleton paper 'that at Athena there Is great interest in political matters. He reports that Athena has a candidate for every office In the county, with the ex ception of Coroner, and they are all Re publicans with one exception. According to all statements, It would seem that this season's crop of candidates will lay the wheat crop in the shade. Up at Pendleton, invitations to citi zens to participate in the welcome to Colonel Bryan declare him to he "that most eminent American the peerless ora tor, matchless statesman and fearless champion of the people." The Intensive style of the Invitation Indicates that Rep resentative Stlllman has been wielding tho epistolary pencil. His frequent speeches In the last Legislature contained nothing more fervid. A Democrat, writing to the Roseburg Review, says: "We can elect the entire union ticket easily in Douglas County, but should put out strong, clean men, especially as candidates for the Legisla ture. There Is a United States Senator to elect next winter, and we want him to bo a man without" a boss; an antl-trust, antl-tory, antl-lmperlallsm, anti-murder, anti-boodler, etc., and old Douglas must send a full union delegation to the next Assembly." The Democratic Central Committee of Baker County ha3 selected the following Democrats as delegates to attend tho State and Congressional Convention to bo held in Portland on April 12: I. B. Bowen, J. H. McCoad, Nat Cooper, C. F. Hyde, Sam White. C. M. Donaldson, J. H. Rob bins, W. H. Gleason, A. J. Jones, J. K. McKlnnon and Asa L. Brown. Saturday, March 31, was fixed as the date for hold ing tho primaries, and April 7 the date of holding the county convention. Representative Tongue writes as fol lows to one of his constituents, W. C. King:, of Landlake: "In reference to the Grout bill, permit me to say that I know something about the dairy business my self, havlnir more or less Interest in It. For this Teason, I am thoroughly In ac cord with the Grout bill, and shall do everything I can to secure its passage. I have no objection to people making 'bull' butter and to other people eating It If they want to, but I decidedly object to the maker of 'bull butter imposing it upon other people under the uretenso or appearance of the genuine article." An Eastern Oregon paper of Democrat ic faith, forgetful that its party creed Is despair and calamity, mixes up its an nouncement of Bryan's date with eulogies of Pendleton's progress. Following Is part of Its announcement: "It is expected that many persons will come to Walla Walla from Waitsburg, Dayton and other towns, and that an immense crowd will be In the city on tho day of Bryan's visit. One can not help noticing the new structures which Pendleton people are building. The town appears to have a very substantial coun try surrounding It. and to be growing to meet the increased demands of Its business and commerce." In his latest weekly letter Henry Clews says: "Tho new 2 per cent government bonds should be christened United States consols, especially as they make so favor able a comparison with the English con sols, which bear 2 per cent Interest and are selling at 100, whereas the United States consols are 2 per cent and are now selling at' 107 before Issued, and are now In considerable demand at that prlca There can be no better barometer of th& high credit of this nation, than this show lng. No other nation has ever before been able to float a 2 per cent bond at 100. This Is certainly a proud achievement for this country." Senator McBrlde may be beaten In Mult nomah, Marlon, Umatilla and the big counties of the state, " hut apparently ho Is strong In one county. If the follow ing, from tho Wallowa News, Is to be credited: "Tho EllIs-McBrlde-Mltchell fac tion, which has no standing politically In any other portion of Oregon, succeeded, by the means of voting proxies, at the last central committee meeting In this county. In running things pretty much to suit themselves. There may be a day of reck oning before long In Wallowa County." The Importance of Wallowa to the senior Senator may be understood when It Is stated that Wallowa Has half a Repre sentative and half a Senator in tho Legis lature, who aro usually Populists. A Celebrated Case. Roseburg Oracle. W. J. Bryan, quite a prominent attor ney, of Lincoln, Neb., will visit Roseburg friends about April 5. Once upon a time Mr. Bryan was Involved in a civil action to gain possession of a certain white house, ono William McKInley being de fendant In the case. Plaintiff pleaded his own cause, during the process of which ho said. "All is not gold that glitters," and "Cross is the head that wears a crown of thorns," which gave him quite a reputation as a soothsayer, though the verdict was for defendant. Tacoma's Turkey-Gobbler Strut. Harney Valley Times. Oregon's Senators. Simon and McBrlde, have Deen called upon to bring under their sharpest spectacles a fake which Is dis turbing Portland. Tacoma has been In the wicked habit of sending out circulars giv ing misleading statistics of the shipping and customs business of that port, in one circular the small craft that ply regularly between that city and Viotoria being reg istered as vessels from foreign ports, thus giving to the port a turkey-gobbler ap pearance of high Importance. "That Is the Whole Story." Salem Independent. Senator Mitchell in a long article In The Sunday Oregonlan accuses ex-Senator Cor bett of influencing the 1SS6 Legislature to prevent the former's election. Senator Mitchell tried to ride both the white horse and the claybank mare at the same time. One was for silver, the other for gold. He fell down between them. That Is the whole story. Inconsistent. New York Sun. According to Dr. David Starr Jordan, President of the Leland Stanford Univer sity, "expansion is poor policy." Thus does Dr. Jordan quarrel with American history and object to the policy but for which there would be no California in the Union. Helping a Distracted Contemporary. St Louis Globe-Democrat. The New York Evening Post equally condemns McKInley and Bryan, and ex claims: "Glvo us a man to vote for." Well, there's Debs. He Is as much op posed to everything In general as the lPost Is Itself. . A NEW NAME FOR FUSION "UXIOX" IS XOW "CONSOLIDATION OB FORCES" IX BEXTOX. Political Xotes and Nevrs Gathered From All Portions of the State of Oregon. A consolidation of forces by tho Demo crata and Populists of Benton County in the coming campaign has been arranged. This determination was reached at a con ference of the county central committees of the two parties held in the Courthousa last Saturday. Under the arrangement each party will elect a separate set ot del egates, and the total number of delegates selected, by each will be the same. All these delegates, both Democratic and Pop. ullst, will meet In a single county con vention, and the ticket nominated by this convention will bo the ticket of both par ties, says the Corvallis Times. The question of the number or the char acter of the offices either party wis to have was not discussed. Such a parcel ing, the committee decided, put consolida tion on a mercenary basis, and It was deemed better to avoid that method. Ac cordlngly, the whole question of what tha political affiliations of the candidates should be was left to the exigencies of tha convention. For any given office the can didate chosen will necessarily be the man who- can secure the largest number of votes. At flrst the Democrats demurred to the Idea ot a convention In which tho other party would have an equal number of delegates, and consequently equal pow er, considering that tho voting strength of the Democrats In the county largely outnumbered the Populists. The Populists admitted that they wero in the minority, but suggested that unless they had equal representation with the Democrats In tha convention, the Democrats might at any time totally disfranchise them by resort to partisan division. The Populists said that as long as the voting strength in the conven tion was equal, no Populist could be nom inated without Democratic support and that hence there was no danger of tha Populists hogging matters. It only took about 15 minutes for the, conference committees to agree, and their agreement was promptly ratified In tho two county committees, after which there was a joint session of the latter for tho fixing of dates for primaries and county convention. For the primaries, April 7 was named, and the county convention was set for April 10. The plan of consol idation Is not made contingent upon a hair-splitting division of the office. It assumes that both parties to the alllanco are honest m their professions of faith, and that their common opposition to tho Republicans Is on principle, and not a free-for-all scramble for the offices. CURTIS OF CLATSOP. Will Seelc Nomination hy a Citizens' Convention. Dally Astorlan. March 21. C. J. Curtis announces that he has de cided to withdraw as a candidate for tha nomination for Representative In the State Legislature before the Republican County Convention. Mr. Curtis declared that ho was convinced" that. In spite of many pre vious assurances to the contrary, he had, been "thrown down" by the members of the County Central Committee, who had selected men for delegates who would un doubtedly support Johaa Young and John McCue. . "I can see the slate through and through." said Mr. Curtis, "and I wager I can name the nominees of the next Re publican County Contention to a man. They're going to start in by throwing Wherity down for County Clerk and nomi nate Deputy Sheriff Prael in his stead. Naturally, Wherity is en titled to a reomlnatlon, as he has served only one term. As to Prael, tha only objection I have heard raised against him Is that he has already held office for II years. The ticket, from Clerk down, will be about this way: LInvllle for Sher iff, Thompson for Treasurer, Carnahan for Assessor and Lewis for Commissioner all renomlnatlona." Mr. Curtis stated that It was his inten tion to go before the Citizens' County Con vention for nomination as Representative. "They are going to put up a ticket com posed of both Republicans and Demo crats," said Mr. Curtis, "and will make a good, hard fight." Astorlan, March 22. Publication of C. J. Curtis withdrawal from the Legislative fight before the Re publican county convention, caused some what of a flutter in Clatsop's political cir cles. It likewise brought out an express slon or two or three to the effect that Cur tis Is no political angel and that If ho doesn't wish to stay In the Republican party, no one Is going to swell the Colum bia with tears over the consequence. In deed, some of the local Republicans, somo of those whom Mr. Curtis asserts havo "thrown 'im down," are giving some very lucld reasons for extending to him tho marblo heart. Ono of them, whose name Is withheld from publication but which will bo promptly revealed to Interested parties upon calling at this office, said yesterday that the opposition to Mr. Cur tis was not due to any "push" arrange ment, but was fully premeditated by tho rank and file of the party; that Mr. Cur tis' record In the Legislature had been anything but complimentary to himself or his party and of positive injury to his constituents. Fulton. Spenlts at AtorIn. The Young Men's Republican Club of Astoria is a flourishing organization. At its last meeting Hon. C. W. Fulton was tho principal speaker, and was given a hearty vote of thanks. Of his address tho Astorlan says: "Mr Fulton's speech of 30 minutes' dur ation was repeatedly Interrupted by vocif erous applause. He dwelt at length upon the history of the Republican party, Its remarkable and meritorious record, its brilliant achievements, and the subllmo faith the American people have and al wajs will havo In Its honor and integrity. He demonstrated tho grand principles of protection In a clear and forcible manner, and appealed to every young man starting out upon his career to enlist in the ranks of a party whose policy would at all times materially better his condition, and not prove an obstruction, as others have done, In the pathway of progress and civiliza tion Mr. Fulton made reference to tho commanding position tho Pacific Coast has assumed In the country's rapidly In creasing Oriental traffic, and particular ized on our commercial relations with our newly acquired territory. He pointed with pride to tho fact that this new trado channel 'has been opened up for our own benefit by the progressive policy tho Re publican party Is maintaining." Populist" of Harney. The meeting In Bums of the Populist Central Committee on the ICth looked so thin and mournful that Chairman C. P. Rutherford and Secretary James Dalton resigned, their offices oelng turned over to A. J. Johnson and E. L. Beede, of Drewsey. No business, no recommenda tion for action, present or future nothing for tho reporter, who put up his note book and withdrew very solemnly, too tired to draw a moral from the slim at tendance, but sustained by the reflection that it wasn't his funeral. Why the Government I Cursed. Roseburg Oracle. Creamery butter Is always worth from 25 to 50 cents per pound, and not a cream ery in this county; flax Is worth $1 25, and we have none to sell; wheat is 50 cents a bushel, and we grow hundreds of acres of It; prune prices are a little uncertain, and tho county Is full of them. No wonder a good many of our people persist In cursing the Government.