The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-12-31
George A. Thancher Speaks Of
Initiative and Referendum.
FOR ELIMINATION OF BOSSES
Movement In Oregon Originated in
General Protest Against Political Boss
Who Had Become Msufferable- -Exper-
fence Shows Democracy Works Well.

MADISON, Wis. Dec. 30-George A.
Thacher Of Portland. Ore, spoke Of "The
initiative and referendum in Oregon II
said in part:
The campaign in Oregon for more de-
mocratic institutions began about ten
years before the adoption OF the initia-
tive and referendum. The organization
behind the movement were the Oregon
Grange; the Knights Of Labor and the
Portland Federated Trades. The move.
ment secured the aid of many of Ore
gon's leaders by its promise to eliminate
the political boss and his kingdom. None
Of these leaders are more conservative
today than they were ten years ago, but
the supporters of all new movements
are subject to that ebb of enthusiasm
after victory. The political boss in Ore
gon adopted as high handed methods as
were ever in vogue in Pennsylvania.
''The idea that party rule is necessary
in democracy; instead of being merely
convenient method, dies hard and
causes many recriminations. The con-
ditions in Oregon made people forget
party rule.
There have been many labored argu.
ments to prove that a democracy must
be government of parties, but it is
evident that United States history
shows that the word party has come
to mean the party machine in
majority OF instances, aud that is the
rule of the minority all our mum
icipal woes. Under our system OF
checks and balances AMI party machines
with their bosses, we do not have near
" as much of democratic government
as we think we do, and the miseries we
suffer from cannot be attributed to
democracy at all.
Whatever valid objections there may
be to legislation by the voters, so far as
polls the experience of Oregon, so far as
it has gone goes to show that in direct
ness and efficiency the action OF the peo-
pie compares remarkably well with the
work of the legislature. 1t Is not un-
reasonable to assume that any organ
ization that wishes to get measure
referred to the people under the initia
tive will take rather more pains to have
il well drawn and as clear and simple
as possible, than a member Of the legis
lature would dq|n proposing bill to
that body, to say nothing Of the chance
of having his bill mutilated in the com
mittees OF two houses and emasculated
by amendments on the floor / am aware
that the latter form of procedure is sup
posed to make for prudence and care,
but | doubt if any careful student Of
legislation by congress for straight
bodies win seriously maintain that prac-
tice confirms the theory.
"The movement in Oregon originated
in general protest against the political
boss mho had become insuferabe To
be sure his place has been taken by
self constituted leaders and the result
had been that partisanship promises
to become a personal matter instead Of
party matter. That is grievous thing
to the old school party leaders They
usqM sIdoad aq4 10 fl!ups oq1 4!mpe
lnq 'sssIIB anssI TsIom 1no IBaIo fue
they profess to fear that the people
won't select as good men for office as
under the old regime.
"As for Oregon's part in devising an
ideal society, the results are entirely
tentative 50 far. The few years of ex-
periance have shawn that democracy
works well. The people are interested
in public questions and that will lead to
working knowledge"