The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-12-27
Drafts of constitutional amendments


and laws sought to be adopted by the
people Of Oregon have been prepared
and are being circulated throughout the
state by large committee OF promi-
nent men with view OF getting the
measure before the voters for their con-
sideration. Efforts will be made by
those who have drafted and are pro-
noting the measures to form Peoples
Power league and to raise $4,000 to de-
fray the expenses OF the coming cam
paign to be carried on for the success
of the measures.
Included in the list of the measures
which are being presented are: An
amendment to the state constitution
providing for the recall OF unworthy
Office holders; the draft of bill for
the election of United States senators
by peoples instruction; the draft OF a
bill providing for proportional repre-
sentation and majority elections, and a
draft of the Huntley corrupt practice
act.
Those who have compiled the list OF
amendments and bills and are now
sending them out and asking for the
formation of a peoples league are:
Johnathan Bourne, Jr., Earl G. Bron-
augh, Jerry Bronaugh, W. G. Bristoll
Lee M. Clark, H. W. Drew, G. Il
Gram, Thomas G. Greene, Clyde v
Huntley. ]. E. Hedges, V. R. Hyde,
G. w. Holcomb, Harry Lane, 7. M
Leabo, I. A. Mcbride, Henry E. Nc
CHM, E. s. ]. McAllister, F. McKer'
cher, P. Mcdonald, G. M. Orion, B
Lee Paget, c. scheubel, Ben Selling,
Alex Sweek, G. E. S. Wood, Frank
Williams, W. s. U'Ren and John G.
Young.
In discussing the measures which
they have placed before the people the
promoters set out their ideas as fol-
lows:
"We believe all citizens agree that
every political party should be repre-
sented in the government in proportion
to the number of it's Supporters among
the people; that no political party
should ever have greater majority o
the officers of government than it has
of the votes of the people; that the
people should be able to express theil
disapproval of any officers acts by re-
calling him from office; that the people
should elect and choose their UniteC
States senator's; that character, and mo-
the possession of wealth, or the secre
or public support of great corporations
or wealthy citizens, should be of ad
vantage to any man aspiring to public
office. The measures herein offered b.
members of the Peoples Power League
of Oregon are expected to aid iHtanFSeli
ing thee results. F."
In discussing the recall amen Ia
to the constitution the proposersN vi
will be second only to the initiative
and referendum. 1t is pointed out tina
the people of the state cannot now re
call an officer once elected withou
proving him guilty Of a crime beyond {
reasonable doubt.
1t is poinetd out that almost contin
ually district attorneys and sheriff
contend they are unable to enforce tn
laws, or an assessor says it is impossi
BILE to assess all property fairly or t
make great wealth bear its just shar
of the burden CT government. 1t is ar
gued that if one-fourth Of the voters O
the state or district could bring sucl
officers face to face with public dis
charge for incompetency they would d'
their work or else the people would ge
officers who would do it for them. l
is asserted that should the law b.
passed the mere threat of invoking i
would be effective in the great major
ity Of cases and the people would hea
less of maintaining the dignity OF al
office and more Of maintaining its eff
cacy.
In the draft itself it is provided tina
% per cent OF the voters who cast theil
votes for an election of justice of tn,
Supreme court at the election prior t,
the action for recall may file their pc
tition demanding the recall of an off
Ger who is not enforcing the law.
The petition shall set forth the rea
sons for demanding the recall and
the officer does not resign within tv
days after the filing of the petition
then special election shall be s-hel,
within 20 days to determine whether o
net the officer shall be recalled.
On the sample ballots at this election
the petitioners shall set forth in no
more than 200 words the reasons 70
their action while the officer shall Sc
forth in another 200 words his iustiti
cation for his acts. At this same elec
tion other candidates for the office shall
be nominated and the one receiving tn
highest vote in nomination shall b
deemed to be elected.
In the event the accused official re
ceives the highest number of votes a
the election he shall remain in office
Petitions of recall may be filed agains
members OF the legislature after he ha
served five days or longer in the frs
session following his election. In tin
case of other officers six months mus
elapse before such petition is filed.
After cne recall petition has beel
q ilod and election held no other petition
may be filed against the same office
unless the petitioners pay into the pub
Apple Sauce.