The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-05-17
Gov. Chamberlain of Oregon
Approves the Referendum.


ested in the views of Governor Cham
berlain, as similar legislation is pro-
posed for Maine and is one of the
leading issues of the approaching
campaign. Oregon was the first of
the United States to make a practical
use of the Initiative and Referendum
and it is there meeting with It's first
great test under American conditions.
STATE OF OREGON.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
Salem, Oregon, April "A, 1905.
Roland T. Patten, Press Representa-
tive, Maine Referendum League,
Skowhegan, Maine.
Dear Sir
Replying to your letter of
recent date with regard to the lnitia-
tive and Referendum in Oregon |
will say that this amendment to the
constitution was adopted at the June
election in 1902. The only laws which
have been enacted by the people
hereunder up to this time are two:
One known as the Local Option Law,
and another known as the Direct
Primary Nominations Law, both
adopted at the June election held in
1904. Both of these laws are now in
force, and the Direct Primary Nomi-
nations Law is being put to trial for
the first time in making nominations
for the election to be held June 4,
1906
Only one act of the Legislature has
ever been referred to the people un-
der the referendum, and 1t will be
voted on at the ensuing election.
That law was one appropriating large
sums of money at the session of the
Legislature held in January, 1905.
At the ensuing June election about
ten measures will be submitted to
the people under the Initiative meth
cd of legislation; some in the nature
of amendments to the constitution,
and others in the nature of legislation
pure and simple. l enclose you I'M
der separate cover copies of the
measures which are to be submitted.
1t is my opinion that the Initiative
and Referendum amendment to the
constitution will have most salutary
effect in Oregon. In the first place 1t
will make legislative bodies more
careful of the peoples rights, and will
make them hesitate to pass extrava-
CANT appropriation bills and other
measures which will not meet with
the approval of the people and if de-
mands for healthful legislation are
ignored, the people have it in their
power to initiate such laws as they
may deem necessary for the advance =
ment of their interests and for their
protection. One of the noticeable
things at the first session of the Leg
islature after the adoption of the
amendment referred to, was the
decrease in the number of lobbyists,
whose vocation it was prior to that
time to hang around each succeeding
legislative assembly. The Supreme
Court of this State has sustained the
validity of the amendment and | am
sure it has come to remain part of
the established law of Oregon. 1t is
impossible to say at this time what
the effect of the direct nomination of
candidates will be. In all probability
when the people become accustomed
to this method of nominating candi-
dates, they will doubtless take a
deeper interest in nominating cleo
tions and select the best men of both
parties. The tendency at this time
seems to be lack of interest in the
primary election, and the result may
be that the best men may not be put
forward. One thing is sure, the party
boss and machine are both practically
eliminated from politics, and with
them must inevitably go corruption
in public life.
1t is my pleasure to endorse the
Initiative and Referendum and every
measure which has for it's purpose the
granting of the fullest measure OF
power directly to the people.
Very truly yours,
GEO. E. CHAMBERLAIN.