The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1909-01-29
THE new SENATOR
Governor Chamberlain Tells the Legis-
lature That He Goes to the
Senate Unfettered.

After bys election Governor Cham
berlain was escorted before the legis-
lators and delivered short address.
He said:
~ thank you from the bottom of my
heart for the great honor that has been
conferred upon me by you as the rep
resentative of the people Of the state
of Oregon. To those Of you who voted
for me from choice I feel peculiarly
grateful. to those Of you who voted
for me because you were under an
express but voluntary pledge to vote
for the peoples choice for senator. /
want to say that you have shown
magnificent example of determine
tion to obey the peoples will without
regard to party ties in that you have
followed their instructions ever though
there might have been others of your
party for whom you preferred to vote
In this emergency.
"For many years the people have de-
manded from the congress of the Unit
ed States that there be submitted them
an amendment 20 the constitution pro-
viding for the election of senators by
the direct vote of the people. But
their demands have been1 ignored and
Oregon leads the way in legislation to
secure rights which their representa-
tives in congress have denied them.
It can not be said that the law under
which / have been elected is eiihera
Republican or Democratic measure.
It has been adopted ty the people III
a state with overwhelming Republican
majority and men Of all parties gave
their adherence to it. 1t has come to
stay and it is safe TO predict that in
the very near future other states in
the union will follow the example Of
Oregon, the people will through the
Oregon method exercise controlling
voice in the election of those who are
to represent them in the United States
senate. Those who take the position
that senator can not be chosen by the
direct vote of the people until~.the
federal constitution has been amended
in that respect must remember that the
initiative must be taken by the
several states acting in their sovereign
capacity.
''Let me say to you, gentlemen of the
legislature that go to Washington as
your representative and as the repre-
sentative to this magnificent common
wealth absolutely unfettered by any
pledge to any person or to any party.
90 as the servant of all the people to
do (as God has given me the light to
see it) my whole duty in furthering
the moral, commercial and industrial
interest of the state. In accomplishing
this, no question of party is involved.
assume that all of You Democrats
Republicans and Independents alike
would vie with each other in doing
what is best for the whole people. In
this effors you can count upon my nm
/, divided effort and support.
~ will stand shoulder to shoulder in
the senate OF the United States with
men of all parties for carrying out
the broader policies which the presi-
dent has stood for that go to make for
a stronger nation and richer state.
In this no question of party should
ever be involved. think you will
remember that at time when con-
| gress was Democratic and Oregon was
represented by Republicans in that
body. larger and more general appro-
priations were made for the improve
ment of our rivers and harbors than
have ever been made since. think
you will also remember that while
Oregon was represented in the senate
of the United States by one Republican
and one Democrat the largest appro
priation that was made for the i'm
provement of Columbia river and not
withstanding the fact that the whole
delegation in Congress at this time II
Republican and congress is Republican
Oregon is receiving no appropriation
for the Improvement of her rivers