East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-03-22

Nsv- York.-Senator La Foiette, VI
Wisconsin. was the principal speaker
NJ a meeting of the Civic Forum, ana
he was introduced by Senator Cham-
berlain. Of Oregon, who spoke on the
oregon primary law. Senator Cham-
herlain's addresses in part was as toi'
lows:
"Oregon. because Of her radical de-
nartura from established methods IN
legislature, and procedure in affairs
purely political has achieved the dls-
tinction of being the most advanced
state in the union along the lines OF
nopular government. Her people are
nroud of the distinction this departure
has brought them.
For wears prior TO 1902 first one
faction Of a band of political pirates
and then another was in control OF the
state. and the people under the forms
NJ law and established precedent were
practically denied all voice in their
affairs. Nominations for place in state
county and municipality were MADE IN
secret council of the leaders OF the
dominant faction. the slate was pre-
nared and the programs were carried
ont in convention without the slighes'
change. Not only that, for il dissatls-
faction dared find open expression the
elections we're corrupted, money was
freely used and by the use OF floaters
and repeaters in the denser centers OF
population, the people were derived oi
participatlon in the selection Of their
official servants.
People Lost Patience.
"Bur in due course, patience ceased
n he a virtue with the people of ore
qon and as a first step in the correc-
t,on Of abuses. the adoption Of the
Australian ballot law became an ac-
oomplished fact. This measuraoF
nurified the political atmosphere ana
rendered somewhat more difficult the
corruption of the electorate, but sun
the marty boss and corrupt machihe
named the delegates to all conventions
dictated the candidates for Office anu
dominated the political affairs OF the
state The conventions on the surface
and TO the casual observer had the
appearance of fairness. All delegates
narticipated in the discussion whlcr
preceded nominations and to that eN'
tent the people semed to participate
in the proceedings. But all was de-
lusion and snare. for the majority o.
the delegates in every convention were
named by the party boss and th'
program as arranged by him and D!
those who were honored by his con
fidence. was always carried to the let
fer The result usually was the elec
ton of men TO every department o
government who were subservient t
the powers that gave them place an
power. and the wishes and welfare o
the people were entirely neglected.
Corrupt lobbies dominated at eac
session of the legilature, and for year
the election of senators in congres
had been a scandal and disgrace.
Change in Constitution.
"As a next and further step in IN
direction of purifying existing evil
progressive men and bodies through
out the state began to agitate a
amendment to the constitution, givin
to the people a larger voice in the
affairs.
Under the constitution as 1t existe
prior to 1902, in order to amend tn;
instrument. it was necessary that it
submitted to and carried by two SUI
cessive sessions of the legislature, b.
fore submission to the people. The II
itiative and referendum amendment
the constitution of the state, aft
strenuous opposition, was voted fayo
ably upon at two successive session
submitted to the people at the gener
election held in June 2, 1902, and ca
ried by a vote of 62,O24 for, to 56'
against
"Under this amendment to the CO.
stitut,on. two great objects have be-
accomplished in the way Of popul
government. It vests in the legislati
assembly legilative authority, but 7
serves to the people the power to pr
pose laws and amendments to the co
stitution and to enact or reject I
same at the polls, independent Of t
legislature and also reserves to the
the power, at their own opinion, TO a
prove or reject at the polls any act
the legislative assembly.
"The first power reserved by I
people is the initiative and not me
than eight per cent Of the legal vot'
are required to propose any measr
by such petition, and every such met
ure shall include the full text Of
measure so proposed.
THE second power is the refer'
DUN. and it may be ordered (exc'
as TO laws necessary for the immedli
preservation Of the public peace hea
or safety either by the petition sii