Following the death of Republican Congressman Thomas Tongue, a special election was held to elect a new representative to fill out the duration of his term. A convention of the Socialist Party of Oregon was held April 3, 1903 in Salem, attended by about 50 people, casting 41 delegate votes. Two candidates were in contention, T.J. McClery of Marion County and W.M. Moore of Douglas County. A new platform was approved by the assembled delegates, printed in full here (jumps to pg. 8).