Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1899-04-06


her 1898, Governor 7. +. Geer Is
quoted as saying amongst other
things: about one-half the business
Of each session is TO repeal the work
OF its predecessor" Governor Geer
has served in the legislature and un-
doubtedly spoke from experience.
Tie question then Is: ~ our legisla-
tors are experts and the laws they
pass are good why do they make II
half their business at each session 10
repeal such good laws
II on the other hand our legislators
are experts and they make it bali
their business 20 repeal laws passed
previously, aud the many laws thus
rel ealed are bad, unjust laws which
deserve 10 be repealed, why do our
legislators pass so many bad, unjust
laws 10 the iirst place
In concluding the first chapter
wish to say 70 all who desire 10 help
prevent the ruin Of this. our greatest
I uutlOn nn eafin:-
stand by those Journals whose
editors have sufficient faith 10 the
intelligence and ability OF the Amer
iclt people 70 advocate direct legisla-
tlon by the people.
MAX BURGHoLZER.
Buxton, Washington caunty, Oregon.
A REVIEW OF THE CITIZENS REFORM
MOVEMENT AT SALEM.
a good Illustration OF the result 70
be expected from a genuine peoples
reform movement originated by the
people "without the aid or consent"
Of politicians, Is 10 be found In the
Improved tone OF city government IN
the city OF Salem. The new admins
tratlon came into otiice as the result
Of revolt on the part OF the citizens
a1d tax payers against the rule OF the
Boss-ridden local push. 1t happens
TO have been a Republican push as the
city is strongly Republican, and
the push element had therefore 20 fiy
Republican colors. The Doodle poll
tician has no real principles, aud uses
tine party name mainly 10 catch votes.
Boss Bingham would as soon train
with corrupt spollsmeu Of one pa ty
as the other.
The deceut elements Of all parties
at Salem finally united, in put
ting up full city ticket 10 opposi-
tion % the regular Republican
candidates and elected the whole
ticket, with the exception OF one
alderman. That alderman only acts
as the mouthpiece Of the push.
The first quarter has just passed aud
the summing up OF results so far,
shows marked improvement la the
financial Affairs OF the city. Con.
pared with the ,pondiug quarter
u 1898, expenses have been cut
down siJs u aud receipts are
greater by sl55,l3. Cash talks,
and there has been sl523 more
placed Ia the city treasury than was
turned Ia during the trst quarter OF
1898 The taxpayer, is not bearing
both burdens as before, OF high.
priced city government aud a high
priced push besides. Instead OF run
ming behind s2sj7 80 as was the case
a year ago, the dehcit Is but 1881. so.
The iaterest charge will be reduced,
and u Is safe 20 say that the
city viii soon begin 90 get out
Of debt instead Of running behind
$1,000 year. Another point is that
the county has not beeu shamelessly
olnched by this administration, 10
furnish a Doodle fluid Instead OF 50
state eases Ia The police court, Ikea
year ago, there haye been
but -. Add the fees from
The twelve have gone into the
city treasurer and not Into the pock. !
cts OF the city officials, To be in
turn divided with the Push. (
Now these results have been
brought about by au unscientiac and |
somewhat blundering, but 80 FAR a |
thoroughly honest aud earnest, upris- /
ing of the citizets aud taxpayers. NOT