Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1899-03-15
wooDBURN's CHARTER.
A Statement Of the Position Of Those
Who Oppose 1t.

Who Oppose II.
WOODBURY., March ITO THE
EDITOR, Some OF the citizens Of
Woodburn think II proper 70 make a
brief but true and concise statement
OF the conditions relating % the Wood
burn charter case about which so
much has been said recently.
In the first place the old charter
governing the city until the new
charter was passed by the last legisla-
ture, contains tue following: Sec 8,
page 80, "This charter shall not be
changed after its passage by the leg
islature except by consent Of two
thirds of the citizens, both male and
female, over 2l years OF age, who
shall have resided within the city Of
Woodturn 70: period OF 30 days next,
Immediately preceding the date Of
the taking Of the said consent, which
said consent shall be taken at a meet
ing or election called for that pur-
pose, and the vote upon the proposed
dluenu Deub Sudli pC ccu wv NtS lNkio-
lature with the proposed amendment,
which said vote shall be certified by
the clerks appointed or elected by the
citizens 60 count aud register the said
vote.
"passed by the house, January %,
1895.
CHARLES b MooREs,
speaker Of the House.
"Passed by the senate, February ],
1896.
Joseph SIMON,
"President Of the Senate"
Now, when the old charCer was pre-
pared, a public meeting OF the citizens
OF Woodburn was duly called, and the
charter was publicly read, aud, after
some discussion, Was adopted section
by section. IL was then sent to the
legislature and passed both houses
Such procedure was fair, and 20 one
made any cOuuTl ,iut, 50 far as we
know.
The new, or amended charter was
not submitted To he citizens ~ Wood
burn publicly in any way. There was
no attempt whatever g conform 10
the above quoted provision OF our
charter; but, upon the other hand, IL
seems 70 US that the projectors OF the
amended, or new. charter studiously
avoided such persons as they believed
would be sure TO oppose the charter as
ameLded. II does not require any
very high degree Of intelligence to
understand the import Of such pro-
cedure. In fact, the amended char
ter was Ia the legislature before any
concerted actio0 Of the opposition
was taken TO prevent its passage.
The bill passed the senate ia q few
minutes, with but single vote OPP
posed, the senate not suppUSlng there
was any opposition against IL. IL was,
however, intercepted in the housei
and when a vote was taken the bill
was lost, there being only 2s or 20
votes fayoring its passage-Sl votes
being necessary.
A reconsideration vas taken and
The charter case was refo'sed TO a
committee OF three from the houSei
who gave opportunity D Dthe friends
on both side fron oar to"n TO dis
cuss before said Committee the ques-
tiOu ~ issue
After the committee haa heard
both sides as presented, they made a
majority Ierort against the proposed
amended charter.
Now, IL will be observed that wheu
the amended charter passed the house
finally 10 did so against the decision
Of the committee, who alone heard d
PLATA statement OF both sides ~ tho
question. The discussion before thS
committees showed beyond all ques
tiOR that the real issue was. Shal
WOod6UFn have licensed saloon ?
Now. the old charter provides Ia