Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1908-06-11
oregon METHODS
RESULT OF INITIATIVE and REF.
ERENDUM IN OREGON.
Some Radical Ideas Were Enacted bv
People Direct at Recent Election.
Power to Recall Officers. Cam.
paign Expenses Limited in the Exc
treme.

Oregon, already the breeding place
of the direct primary law and the in
itiative and referendum, the progress
of which has been watched with such
interest all over the country, will
| find a new batch of experimental
measures on her hands in less than
thirty days. The voters passed on
nearly dozen radical ideas at the
election, rejecting the most theoret-
ical but taking the others whole.
Proportional representation is the
aim of one amendment to the consti-
tuition adopted and was the one that
probably goodly percentage of those
who voted for it, did not understand.
incidentally, many voted against it
on principle. because they did not
understand it. Just how it will
work out is quite uncertain because
1t puts the modus operandi up to the
legislature. By it's provisions, minor
ity parties are to have proportionate
representation on all boards and in
all offices where two or more have
places. Like the direct primary, It
tends to loosen party ties. 1t pro-
vides, also, for expression by voters
of second and third choices among
candidates. Its real import is hardly
grasped in the state.
The taste of power given by the
direct primary and initiative and
referendum has at least made the
average voter anxious for more, be-
cause the "recall" amendment passed
by large majority. This allows
voters, on submission of petitions
containing rs per cent of the regis
tration of the district, to force the
incumbent of an office to stand for
election again within twenty days.
Its object is to discourage malfeas-
ance.
Vigorous objection was raised to it
on the ground that it would offer Op-
portunity for private vengeance. The
victim of the recall must have been
in office six months, or If a legisla-
tor, must have served five days in
actual session. On the sample bal
lots for the special election, the de-
tense of the recalled" officer may
be printed briefly; also the reason for
attacking his continued tenure.
A bill for a law instructing men,
bers of the legislature to vote for the
candidate receiving the highest num-
ber of votes for United States sena-
tor at popular elections passed "a
flying" 1t apparently makes the
Statement No. 1 clause of the direct
primary law mandatory; but in real
ity, there is nothing to force state
representatives and senators to abide
by it and it will not affect the elec-
tion next January.
The power of district attorneys to
bring indictments is cut off; grand
juries only may exercise that func-
tion hereafter. This was a constitu-
tional amendment that carried.
Candidates in primary campaigns
in future may spend only a sum
equal to Is per cent of their first
years salary unless that sum is less
than 800, below which no candi-
date is restricted. With primaries
over and state campaign on, the
candidate may spend sum equal
only to 10 per cent of his first years
remuneration. This bill was pro-
posed by initiative petition. 1t gives
an officeseeker poor in pocket a more
equal chance. The bill is peculiarly
binding.
A candidates relatives or intimate
business associates cannot spend
more than the prescribed amount for
him, either, their disbursements be-
ing deducted from the amount al
lowed. Treating is barred. Elec-
tioneering on the balloting day is
prohibited. Promise of "pia" is for
bidden. Sworn statements of expen-
ditures must be filed within fifteen
days after election. Corporation
campaign contributions are put un-
der the ban. Political advertise
ments must be marked as advertis-
ing. The measure resembles in many
respects that In vogue now in Wash
A..A l.