natural forest lands," he declared, "calls for their consolidation under public ownership except for those lands in the hands of strong private interests capable of carrying them through long growing periods." As pressure built towards the start of World War II, Sprague attempted to moderate opinions and attitudes towards Japanese people. The 1942 gubernatorial campaign began as Pearl Harbor was bombed. On the day of the bombing he commanded Japanese Issei to remain at home and called on Oregonians to not harass the Japanese-Americans (including the Issei). Sprague continued to defend the Japanese until fellow Republican (and current Secretary of State) Earl Snell entered the primary. Sprague moved rightward, but by mid-February he "urge[d] further and prompt action to remove this menace and recommend internment." Days later President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 to force internment. Sprague didn't include his opinions or political stands on the issue in his campaign, and it wasn't reported on in the news. In any case, Sprague lost the primary to Snell, who went on to be elected Governor. Sprague felt a deep sense of loss, and later regretted his change of opinion against the Japanese Americans. He supported the return of Japanese American evacuees and the restoration of their property in December 1944, defended them in meetings, and even received an imperial decoration from Hirohito "for distinguished service in Japanese affairs" shortly before his death. In 1944 Sprague attempted to run for a US Senate seat in 1944, but lost in the Republican primary to Guy Cordon, who was elected. Death and legacy Sprague died on March 13, 1969. Sprague and his wife are interred in Mount Crest Abbey Mausoleum, in Salem, Oregon. The Salem-Keizer School District named Charles A. Sprague High School, known as Sprague High School, in his honor in 1972. See also Sprague Fountain, Salem Further reading George Turnbull, "Governors of Oregon" (1962) Profiles by Richard I. Neuberger in the Sunday Oregonian, March 18, 1951, and the "Nation", January 26, 1952; and by Malcolm Bauer in the New York Herald-Tribune, December 1, 1960. Obituary in The New York Times, March 14, 1969. Dictionary of American Biography edited by Dumas Malone, Volume XVII, Charles Scribner & Sons, New York, Volume XXI, Supplement Eight 1966–1970, page 616. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States: 1789–1978, Volume 3, pages 1281–1282 McKay, Floyd J. An Editor for Oregon: Charles A. Sprague and the