Cortis Dow Stringer (1885-1973)

From the Albany Democrat-Herald, January 6, 1973.

  Another political figure that was without a face to place with his name for several years, the above portrait of Oregon state senator Cortis Dow Stringer was recently located via the archives of the Albany Democrat-Herald. A near lifelong Oregon resident, Stringer had previously been a candidate for Linn County Commissioner and in 1936 was an unsuccessful aspirant for Congress. Born in Lebanon, Oregon on March 20, 1885, Cortis Dow Stringer was the son of Ephraim and Lucinda (Beeler) Stringer.

   Little information exists on Stringer's formative years or early education. He and his family removed to Washington in 1902, and in the early 1900s, Stringer enrolled at the Oregon College of Education (now the Monmouth College). In 1905 he relocated back to Oregon and in 1915 graduated " the college preparatory course" from the Portland Y.M.C.A. Stringer married in Vancouver, Washington in 1915 to Zelda Titus (1893-1983), to who he was wed for nearly sixty years. The couple had two daughters, Mildred Eleanor (1920-1980) and Marjorie Elaine (1923-2010). 

  In the mid-1910s Stringer began reading law and in July 1917 was admitted to the Oregon bar. In 1919 he and his wife removed to the "Crowfoot district" near Lebanon, where he operated a farm. During his residency there he was active in the Crowfoot Grange (serving as its Master), the First United Presbyterian Church, the Eagles Lodge, and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.  

  In 1932 Cortis Stringer made his first move towards elective office, becoming a candidate for Linn County Commissioner. Running on the slogan of "Rigid Economy Will Lower Taxes and Leave More Money For Roads", Stringer won the Democratic primary in May but that November lost out at the polls. Not one to let a loss get the best of him, Stringer came out as a candidate for U.S. Postmaster at Lebanon in early 1933 but was ultimately passed over for that position. One year later Stringer announced his candidacy for the Oregon state senate, and in May won the Democratic primary, besting Samuel M. Garland. That November he opposed Republican incumbent C.E. Williamson, and on election day emerged the victor.

  Stringer took his seat in January 1935, and during his four year term served on the committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Public Lands. Early in his term Stinger authored legislation that asked "congress to provide for old age pensions", which passed the state senate without any dissenting votes. Despite its passage, the bill failed to be signed into law. Additional legislation backed by Stringer included a bill to dissolve the office of state budget director (and have its duties transferred to the state board of control), and an amendment to the constitution that provided for the election of a Lieutenant Governor.

  Just months after taking office Stringer and other members of the legislature were greeted by the news that the Oregon state capital building burned to the ground on April 25, 1935. This occurrence necessitated a special session of the legislature, where Stringer participated in talks about the construction of a new capital building. In February 1936 he announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st district. Running in favor of the adoption of an old page pension, opposition to the sales tax, and on the successes of President Roosevelt, Stringer stumped throughout his district during the primary, and in May 1936 was profiled in the Greater Oregon newspaper, which detailed that:

"He believes the democratic platform will be a constructive one, and proposes to stand for election on it and his senate record. He is %100 American, %100 percent for the people and %100 percent for President Roosevelt. His slogan is: ''My Record Proves I Vote For the Peoples Interest. Always."'

From the Beaverton Review, May 12, 1936.

  On election day in May Stringer was defeated by E.W. Kirkpatrick, a fellow legislator from Clackamas County. After pledging support to Kirkpatrick, Stringer watched the Democratic hopeful be trounced in the general election, losing to incumbent Republican James Mott, 114,073 votes to 59,788. After his loss Stringer returned to his senatorial duties, and in 1937 authored a bill that provided for the "establishing of grades and standards for dried prunes" sold in the state.

  In 1938 Stringer won the Democratic primary for renomination but failed to win a second term that November, losing out to Republican Joel C. Booth. In 1944 Stinger removed to the city of Lebanon where he was a real estate broker, retiring in 1962. He was returned to public office in 1960 with his election as municipal judge for Lebanon, but served just two years before health concerns compelled his retirement.  Cortis Dow Stringer died at the Lebanon Community Hospital on January 5, 1973, aged 87. He was survived by his wife and children and was interred at the IOOF Cemetery in Lebanon. 

From the Salem Capital Journal, Jan. 5, 1973.