Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1908-03-20
THE OREGON REFORMS.

corruption of Oregon politics and in it
U Rem was lioniZed because by resorting to
the same corrupt methods then in vogue he
had secured the passage of the initiative
and referendum law, and the direct primary
law.
These two measures were fondly termed
the tools of democracy and the article was
devoted principally to The laudation of the
man who through corruption had placed
these effective tools in the hands of the
people.
No argument was entered into as to the
merit OF these two measures but through
out it was taken for granted that they were
both God send to the people of Oregon,
and that the great good accomplished by
them justified the corrupt methods used in
securing the measures.
If the article had established the sound
ness of the initiative and referendum and
the direct primary as principles and practices
of government it would have possessed I'M
told strength, but like so many articles of
itskind that too often exert widespread in
fuence upon public that takes for granted
all the author so cleverly infeps the entire
argument is based upon false premises
The thinking people of Oregon would
welcome with open arms the man who by
any means would deliyer them from the
workings of these two measures. They are
both tools for capital and place the affairs
of state so completely in the hands of money
power that poor people of the state have
neither show for public Office or voice in
public counsel.
Through the initiative and referendum
any person or organization of persons may
frame bill and present it to the people to
become law. One of the first measures
attempted under this law was IL toll road
matter. Capitalists secured an option on
toll road for small figurr, then presented
10 the people bill for the state to purchase
the road, and make it public. The price
was large enough to enable the promoters
to spend large sums of money in laying
their project before the people. Such a
measure was SO absurd that no thinking
man would ever have proposed it to IA legis-
lative body, where committee would
promptly have been sent to investigate its
merits. But the promoters knew that the
voters could not individually investigate
the matter, and they with money had more
chance Of convincing the people of the need
who had no prospects of returns for defeat
ing the measure.
At the last session of the Oregon legis-
lature bill was passed appropriating 1925
600 for maintainence and building at the
University of Oregon.
Young and undeveloped as the State of
Idaho, is even her Normal schools and
Academies were given practically this
amount, while the total moneys placed at
the disposal of the State University at Mos
cow was nearly double as much
Under the initiative and referendum
ignorat grumblers who haye neither respect
for educational institutions or possible
understanding of the expense of running
them can launch movement to overthrow
this good work. This is being done in
Oregon, and today every alumni of the Ore
gon University is sending money to the COM
mittee at Eugene to be used in fighting for
the existence of his Alma Mater. It is only
by the use of money that these matters can
be presented to the notice of the people and
but for the loyalty of the graduates of the
institution their cherished home of learning
wovld probably have its usefulness ended
with the next election in Oregon.
With the direct primary law their ex-
perience has even been mere trying under
its workings. Rich men who for years have
spent their money in vain attempt to promote
their candicacy for high Offices under old