Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-04-15

bottle.
vote only in the legislature for that
candidate for senator who shall have
received the majority OF all the votes
cast at the last preceding election.
Under this system, the legislature OF
Oregon which has Just adjourned.
WITHOUT RESPECT TO PARTY,
voted for and elected to the senate
the candidate who received the ma
iorlty of all the votes cast for that
Office at the last general election.
believe that the man In the leglsla-
ture who would have dared violate
this implied obligation would have
been burned in efiigy and would have
returned to his home spurned and
despised by an outraged constltu.
ency. Not only should candidates
for the legislature be pledged To do
this prior to their election but public
sentiment should drive them TO its
performance after election. AND IL
THIS HEALTHY PUBLIC SENTI-
MENT IS CREATED BY THE PEO-
PIE AND BY THE PRESS II Is safe
to say that In ten years the grey
wolves" OF the senate will have been
driven from public life and body
OF men elected who will represent
not the plunderbund but the best
interests OF the people of the whole
country. This system OF nomination
of candidates for Office has put 10
rout corrupt political machine and
has driven the boss out OF place and
out OF power. contamination OF
things most devoutly 10 be wished
for.
But Il may be answered that 20
charge the senate OF the United
States with being the champion
friend and protector OF the so-callod
business interests and as being OPP
posed TO the popular will is TO charge
the legislatures OF the several states
which aro responsible for senatorial
elections with being responsible for
all that the senate stands for. This
Is true. for Il will be remembered
that THE BALANCE OF POWER IN
NEARLY EVERY LBGIsLATURE ~
CONTROLLED BY THE SAME IN
FLUENCES WHICH DICTATE THE
NOMINATIONS AND BRING ABOUT
THE ELECTIONS OF 4. :. SEN
ATORS. Not only is this true.
SENATOR'S. Not only is this true.
but the same balance OF power IN
those same legislatures usually
stands IN opposition 10 beneficial
legislation, whether such legislation
be for the purpose OF controlling
corporate piracy or compelling fran
chise grabbers an6 corporations 20
pay a just proportion OF the public
burdens. As law providing for the
nomination OF senators by a direct
vote Of the people, compelled 20 be
observed by healthy sentiment, will
purge the senate OF the enemies OF
the republic, 80 the initiative and
referendum will serve To COMPEL
LEGISLATIVE BODIES TO ENACT
LAWS DEMANDED BY THE Pro.
PIE and place the veto power In the
hands Of a majority OF the people,
enabling them 20 blot out from the
statute books unjust and arbitrary
measures. To the debassment OF the
convention system. To THE wILFUL
DISREGARD BY the congress Of the
United States and OF the legislatures
of the several states Oh THR IN
TEREST or THE MASSES has bseL
due the fact that one state after an
other has fallen In line with eonstl-
tuiional amendments providing for
restoring 20 the people the powers
which they have abandoned. To this
has been due the direct primary
nominating Law and laws providing
for direct legislation. and Il Il safe
10 predict that within the next de-
oade not state In the Union bat
Niii adopt the same constitutional