Slavery Question in Oregon. 349 the polls, but this was a feeling, whereas their judgment inclined them to Baker's broader view. The delegates had been instructed by their constituents to nominate a full ticket, and they must have some good ground for disobedience. Knowing how easy it is for mere politicians to patch up their personal differences with political equiva- lents, we desired some sort of personal guarantee that the Bush nominees would be duly mindful of their obligations, but of course this could not be given in words. We must at least feel of them. So, for that purpose, I called on Mr. B. F, Harding, their shrewdest manager. I said: "Mr. Harding, I have called to see if it is safe for the Republicans to vote your ticket this year." He laughed and asked me what conclusion I had come to. "Why, I think it a pretty good scheme." ' ' How many votes can you poll V he queried ? Answer, "Five hundred." "Why don't you claim more?— a politician would." We discussed the situation for a short time, after which he said, "Some of your Republican brethren have asked us to pledge our votes to Colonel Baker in return for your help at the polls, but you know better than to ask it; you would not do it if you were in our place. ' ' "Surely you are right," I said. He then remarked, "Crandall is the only one you need to talk to." I saw Mr. Crandall, who asked me directly, ' ' Are you going to make nominations?" "Yes, unless you give me your word that you will vote for Colonel Baker for United States Senator. ' ' He asked, "Is my word good to you alone?" "Yes," I answered. ' ' Then you have it, ' ' he replied. I notified the Colonel, and we adjourned without nomi- nating. Soon after our adjournment, the head of the Lane ticket, Richard Miller (Uncle Dickey), with whom I had been ac-
