East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-05-18
PORTLAND TAXPAYERS GIVE ADVICE ON
INITIATIVE LAWS

The following circular letter from
the Taxpayers league OF Portland
urging the passage OF certain OF tn,
initiative measures now before tn,
people, has Just been received by th'
East Oregonian and Is published ir
the hope that 1t may enlighten voters
upon the subjects discussed The cir.
cular Is as follows:
While the objects for which the
Taxpayers League OF Portland was
organized are limited In their scope
certain of the amendments to the
constitution and laws which have
been proposed under the initiative and
laws on which the referendum has
been invoked and which are to be
submitted to the people at the coming
June election come properly within
Its jurisdiction, and to these they have
given consideration.
The recommendation upon these
questions should be accepted In the
spirit they are made. The league is
looking for no controversy, but II the
result of their deliberations are of
service to others the recommendation
made will have served their purpose.
Increase OF Membership Supreme
Courts, Etc.
IAN amendment to Article VII Of
the constitution by increasing the
number of judges OF the supreme
court from three to five, until other
wise provided by law. and authorizing
the legislative assembly to provide by
appropriate legislation for the ex-
ercise OF the circuit courts, of the
probate Jurisdiction heretofore ex-
ercised by the county courts, and for
the transaction OF county business by
and before some appropriate body or
tribunal"
304. Yes.
305. No.
Abstract.
The foregoing title succiently states |
the purposes OF this amendment. It
Is to increase the number of judges |
OF the supreme court to five. until |
changed by law, to place the probate
Jurisdiction in circuit courts, and to
leave to the county courts primarily |
the conduct Of county business.
Voters are advised TO vote yes.
Changing Time OF Elections.
Proposed amendment to the con-
stitution changing the time of holding
the regular biennial elections from
the first Monday in June to the first
Tuesday after the first Monday in
November"
306. Yes.
307. No.
Abstract.
The change proposed will make one
election less every four years and re-
duce the expense every presidential
year by having the election for state
offices held at the same time as for
presidential electors.
Voters are advised to vote yes.
Free Transportation for Officials.
For an act requiring railroads and
other common carriers to grant free
to state officers and
county judges and sheriffs, as a con-
dition precedent to acquiring land for
purposes by the exercise of
eminent domain, and to prohibit the
payment OF mileage for such free
$40. Yes.
311. No.
Suggestions.
There is no reason why a railroad
Or other common carrier should grant
free transportation to state officers or
TO county judges or sheriffs and in our
opinion II Is not only unfair to the
railroads. but is belittling to the state 1
md its officers and tends to place ,
hem under obligations which should [
rot exist.
Voters are advised to vote no.
National Guard ArmOries.
"An act to appropriate $4,000 an p
lually for four years, to be used in 4
purchasing grounds and building ar \
nories for the use of the Oregon ma =
ional guard, the money to be ex- "
pended under the supervision of the n
tate military board at any time dur n
ng the four years, the board not be- o
ng required to use each appropria- n
ion the year 1t is appropriated. The 81
oregon national guard is required to A
ay to the state treasurer such rental. a
or the use of said armories, as may
e fixed by the state military board"
312. Yes.
313. No. p
Suggestions. O.
Under this law no definite number II
f armories are provided for. They ST
1ay be erected upon the recommen- N
alton of the state military board in cC
owns where one or more companies n
{ the Oregon national guard are To- ii
1ted. No limitation is placed upon te
ne cost of the different buildings. In
ur opinion this law leaves the way
pen for large and possibly unneces-
Try expenditures. ga
Voters are advised to vote no. In
Appropriation for University of Or in
yon. ell
S14. Yes. We
315. No. III