Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1894-12-15
Tue PROBLEM OF GOOD GOVERNMENT

of q clean and able set OF state oTnclals
The state platform upon which they
were elected contained hopeful prom
ises of specific reforms and introduction
of practical measures of economy, which
if carried out will save the Taxpayers
hundreds of thousands of dollars and
diminish corruption in our state poll
tics. How shall the people realize the sc
desirable promised reforms at the
hands of the Republican party now In
mower in every department OF our
state government? The Republican
party is pledge-keepiDg party. That
is its history and its proud boast. The
people have taken It at its word IN Ore
gon, where it has promised TO abolish
useless commissions, put all state Off
cials on a stated salary, convert all fees
into the state treasury and bring abe ut
other important aud needed reforms.
The men electsd to state offices will no
doubt do their part to keep these
pledges. The legislature will he ex-
pected to interpret the platform faith
fully. But the people have great duty
to perform. The result of the politi-
cal campaign in 1894, with the great
moral issues involved. will be unsatis-
factory unless the people take hold and
earnestly insist that their servants and
representatives shall preform as well ss
promise. The people often lose all that
they might have gained by q well.or-
ganized and we'll started reform move
ment, because they do not follow up
the good work done at the conventions
and polls to the ultimate fruition CT
legislation, administration and reduct-
ion of the burdens of government to
minium.
How shall the people of Oregon real
ize on what was promised them so
earnestly last June. at the hands of the
state officials and legislature which
takes charge of our state government
in January? How can the people So
cure themselves against failure Of
needed reforms? If the incoming
state officials and legislature fail to Ie-
lieve the people of extravaganza and
unjust burdens now imposed upon
them, there will be just cause for grew
Gus complaint, and the party, the press
and public men will be denounced as
they deserve. But what will that avail?
Dsnunciation will be too late. If there
Is the usual combination of political
boodlers and corporation corruption
lists, that has so often prevailed in
western states, then it will be difficu +
to procure any reforms in legislation or
administration for two years more.
The only safe way is to anticipate the
danger of defeating promised reforms
by the taxpayers organizing intelli-
gently TO protect themselves and Sc
cure those results which they are so
sorely meeting.
One way to help this difficulty would
be TO organize good government clubs.
Let your representatives and officials
know that you are going TO keep your
eye on them at Salem. Give them to
understand that you were not through
with them when you went home from
the polls on election day. Organize
and agitAte for good government, This
work can be largely done through the
press. The patriotic citizen must
not be content 10 sit down at home
aud merely find fault with the short
c0mings OF public onclals ahh corfup'
ilon in high places. Let him take hold
Of such evils In practical, intelligent
way and make bis influence felt
Every reader Of THE DAILY or
WERKLY JoURHAL can become the
head Of good government club. We
pledge you our best endeayors to this
snd. Our best energies have been given
o the cause Of reform ln mnolelpAli
,ounty aud state affairs, We do not
stend 10 stop there but ask every
nan OF woman who fayors progress IN
Iood government 10 Join IN this move
nent,
W. shall publish the expenditures Of
he different departments Of our state
A.. Of oil