The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1909-01-29
Bill introduced to Repeal State
ment Number One Gov
ern0r Will Veto II.
MAY REMOVE STATE FAIR
Several Measures Introduced to Re-
AppOrtion State Into Senatorial
and Representative Districts-Few
Pleasure Excursions Proposed-To
Look Out for Travellers Welfare.
Will Observe Admission Day.

Salem, Jan. 25.-The senatorial
question being disposed of, both
houses have settled down to a grind
OF routine work, number of bills
have been passed and the various
committees are actively engaged on
many others. The third week bids
fair to be as busy as the second and
much work will no doubt be accom-
plished.
There is possibility that an
amendment annulling the Statement
No. l feature of the direct primary
law will be considered favorably by
both houses of the legislature at the
present session. Such a bill was in
troduced in the house by Representa-
tives Bean, of Lane, and Brooke, of
Malheur, jointly.
This bill in its provisions is de-
cidedly anti-statement. 1t makes It
a misdemeanor for any candidate
for any office to make any pledge
which is contrary to the constitution
of the United States, or of the state
OF Oregon, or in violation of the
oath of Office to support the consti-
tuition, or any agreement not to per-
form duty imposed by the consti-
tuition.
There Is strong sentiment among
the members of the house for the
passage Of such an amendment to
the direct primary law.
II this bill passes the house, its
chances In the senate are considered
equally good. The only stumbling
block In sight is the practical GER
tainty of its veto by Governor Cham
berlain, who owes his election as
United States senator to the enforce
ment of Statement One pledges. Nat
urally 1t Is to be expected that he
VIII look with disfavor on any at
tempt to annul the very system that
brought about his own election.
May Remove State Fair and Capitol.
Every two years there Is enough
talk 5f removing the capitol to send
chills up and down the spine of the
Marion county delegation. Uusually
the project never gets beyond the
conversation stage, but this year the
movement Is more in earnest, al
though 1t Is very improbable any,
thing will come of the proposal to
remove the state capitol
There Is possibility, though, that
a determined effort will be made to
transfer the state fair to Portland.
Those who would take the fair to
Portland, In addition to presenting
the argument that Portland properly
Is the place for that institution, point
to the fact that the grounds of the
Country Fair Association are admir-
ably suited as permanent home for
the state fair OF recent years it is
matter of knowledge that the ac-
commodations of the grounds now
used In Salem for the state fair are
inadequate.
If the institution Is to be kept In
Salem more buildings and an in
creased appropriation for mainten-
ance will be required. 1t Is for this
reason that those advocating the re-
moval of the fair to Portland insist
that this Is the time to take the ini-
tiative to bring that about.
While the bill has not been intro
duced, measure will be presented
at this session for branch insane
asylum to be located In Eastern
Oregon, Both Baker and Umatilla
counties are rivals for this institu-
tion and conferences between the
delegations from the two counties
have failed to effect a satisfactory
settlement of the controversy as to
which county will give in, This bill
Is certain to furnish the subject for
one of the hardest fights in the pres
ent session.
Would Re-Apportion State.
There are several measures al
ready introduced and contemplated
which have the purpose of reappor-
tloning the state into senatorial and
representative districts. 1t Is very
difficult to work out system of pro-
portional representation, which will
cover all subjects and carry out the
intention of the voters who adopted
the constitutional amendment last
June, Any measure presented touch
Ing on this topic will scarcely be sat-
isfactory in its entirety and the poll
ticians oppose the adoption of pro-
representation law. for II
will weaken their hold on the Offices,
The politicians are deeply interest
ed in Senator Settings bill for pro-
portional representation, 1t is a
which Affects every Republl-
can, Democrat, Socialist and Prohi- !
for under It's provisions
every party will have some represen-
tation in the legislature,
Selling contends that II is desir-
able that law for proportional rep.
should be made at this
session, because the constitutional |
amendment adopted last June is now
effective and h hreafter an elector can
vote for more than one candidate for /