The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1902-02-15
BIJsTNESSLTKE RECORD OF MARION COUNTY.
CAN OUR STATE GOVERNMENT BE RE-
EORMEn7


The averaqe politician only makes race Tor OIL
scs He ia not concerned about the reformation
Of any abuses or the changing Of any conditions no
,na,,er how oppressive. The average businessman
has not the time TO master the details OF the Pot-
ica situation and study out what is necessary 10 e
feet q change for the better. Professional men are
absorbed In their callings and not inclined TO taKe
an active part in shaping up program Tor the Oe'
torment Of the government The Office holders are
not going TO exert themselves TO change lucrative
situation no matter how unjust or unbusineSshke'
The forces are few that make for more righteous
and economical administration and the people ought
TO feel very grateful II public officials do not make
matters worse than they find them. II change is
secured In the OF paying our state officials
will be accomplished by the ordinary taHpayng clt-
zen and laboring man exerting himself to make his
influence felt before the nominating conventions
No one can deny that state officials are receiving
unconstitutional compensation, especially in the
form Of fees and perquisites, But unless the ordi-
nary mass Of the people insist change there Will
none made The headlong for Office the hunger
fer spois Ia so great that both parties are liable to
overlook the matter and make no demand for a
square business statement in their platforms as to
what the salaries should be. The whole craze seems
TO be to get office. There was never such hunger
and thirst after unghteousness in politics as today
on the part Of the American people, and 1t will be
miracle II this very patent abuse in state affairs is
ended. Yet nothing seems palmer than that $4,000
year can be saved on the expense Of the five prin-
cipal state Offices.
10 snalsze the political situation IL is necessary
10 go back little and what are the means at
hands with which TO accomplish "a reform which all
agree to s right and should be brought about, which
politicians dare not oppose and which nineteuhs Of
the taxpayers want put into effect, Early in the
campaign OF 1900 the Silver Republicans met aud
dsbanded, declaring the great issue mono met
alism and bi.metalism decided by the American
people.
During the last legislature the Populist party
Was officially disbandSd and the Democratic leaders
In the state and legislature took no part between the
Republican factions in electing Senator Mitchell.
To whom can the people look but to the Republican
party 10 bring about n change in their state revenue
system9 Tmk JoURSAL as independent paper be-
lslves that they entitled to progress and reforms
in the most direct manner possible. The political
machinery All ~ hhhu iul N"it1ihk NV" NhN'N WV
will Of the people in these matters II that only
be known and and expression and be put into effect.
Tvs JoURNAL makes an especial app al TO the
progressive business elements OF the Republican
party to take up this matter and put through their
county convention right here In Marion county and
In as many other counties possible. TnR JouE-
NAL believes II ls a sound business proposition anu
that the Republican party owes IL to the people TO
give them this reform II IL the dominant party in
tho state and therefore the people must look to It for
this reform which no other party s In position to
give TO the people, And in making this demand we
do not look 10 this faction that faction to bring
about this reform No matter who ia nominated for
Governor this change should be made in the interest
OF good government. The Republicans OF Marion
county have a right and II is their duty to demand
that our state officials be paid fair iu't and
able salary, land no more"
That lie the only way TO get this reform. The
demand for il must be put through the Republican
county convention Of Marion Co The figures quoted
above show that Marion county is the home Of good
government While other counties have been plunged
farther in d. bt, Marion county has got out Of debt.
While state taxes have been raised by wasteful
appropriations OF an extayagant legislature
taxes Ia Marion county have been reduced,
While the expenses OF state have been enlarged
by excessive grants OF state funds the expenses OF
Marion county have been reduced nearly hity per
cent No injury has been done the county, No
brAnnh OF the county government has been crippled
or neglected. The injection Of the Marion county
business program into our state affairs would result
In Tar better state government aud harm ma
teral interest Of the state As Marion county can
claim 10 have the best county government in the
state, 80 Oregon could claim to have the best state
government in the United states Il more common
sense system were adopted, This demand Tor
more businssslke program is only going 10 be met
when Il is not made In the Of auy party or