The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1902-09-24
AN INDEPENDENT PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE

to enact these reforms and his name
is Chamberlain.
The people could only speak their
sentiments at their state conventions
and at the election and by petitions
, and all this they have done. If the
Governor and the representatives of
the people see fit to disregard the ex-
pressed will of the people, what can
they expect but to be spurned and
spat upon at the first opportunity?
Who are the powers and influences
opposed to these reforms being put
in effect? The partisan and factional
editors of Oregon have accused Gov
ernor Geer of having special session
inclinations for his own benefit
They nave accused him over and
over with wanting a special session to
popularize himself with the people
and promote his chances of becoming
the next United States senator.
These spoils organs, everyone of them
edited from the standpoint of getting
federal or state Offices and public pap.
openly charge selfish motives as be-
ing back of the special session pro
gram. They can see nothing but per
sonal interest in any mans move
ments in politics. They do not be-
lleve in the expressed will of the peo-
pie being carried into effect any
further than 1t advances the individ-
ual's selfish interest-his pocketbook.
We are slow to place such a low
estimate on Governor Geer who has
been the victim of these accusations
before The sack politicians would
no doubt be willing-more than will
ing-to give him a large share of the
$4,000 gratis that are taken from
the taxpayers annually IL he will not
lay hands ON their usufruct, and many
people will believe he has accepted a
share IL he favors them.
On the other hand it is charged
that Governor Geer has changed his
mind about a special session. Some
OF his close friends have intimated
that he had been promised material
support from the politicians opposed
to these great reforms. II he would
turn a deaf ear TO the demands OF the
farmers, the gang would under GER
tain circumstances throw him votes
for senator. We cannot believe this
any more than the other theory that
he would call a special session for the
purpose OF feathering his own nest.
The Portland politicians want no
fiat salary law. They want no direct
legislation, no taxation OF untaxed
franchises, no direct nomination OF
candidates. The people do want these
things. Does the Republican party
stand for the people or for the graft?
viii Governor Geer take his cue
from the people who have petitioned
him for a special session. or from the
bosses OF Multnomah county, who
kicked Geer and Moody out of their
state convention? What good things
can come to the people OF Oregon
from the Jack Matthews pushP
1t matters little TO the Journal
whether this reform goes into effect
at a special session or at some future
time. The reform is sure TO be
brought about within four years.
But delay of four years means a
great loss TO the taxpayer and may
be fatal TO the Republican party.
The common everyday citizen can
get 1t through his head that present
salaries, fees and perQuisites are out
Of all proportion 10 what the service
is worth-by about $4,000 a year
He can get 1t without a surgical oper-
alton. The common taxpayer knows
the difference between paying an
official $4,000 a year Of $4,000.