The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1909-02-13
"PIedge System" Aad its Fruits

"PIedge System" AHd Its Fruits
From the way in which the great
majority of the members of the Leg
stature cline up in support of the
more salary" bills it becomes evi.
deaf that Statement One" was by
no means the only subject, on
which pledges were made before the
election. Men anxious to go to Leg
islature apparently have promised
and pledged all increases of salaries
that have been asked by officials or
candidates. These pledges, clearly,
were exacted as conditions of sup
port and election, and the fruits are
now appearing in the general rush
of the more" bills, some of which
now for the first time appear.
While others are bills arrested
two years ago by the Governors
vote, and now are being passed
over it.
Men who want to 60 to the Leg
islature often will promise anything
or pledge anything for support.
They allow themselves to be in
Inundated by portions or factions of
the electorate, and since the Estate
ment" has come into vogue and the
pledge it authorizes is common, the
practice has become precedent for
all other pledges and promsies-to
do in the Legislature whatever per-
sonal or selfish interests may re-
quire of the m 'mber 1t is an alb
ominable system, at variance not
only with representative govern
ment, but with the rights of the
people and with honesty and dec
ency and economy in the public
service.
Yet it is argued that the pledge
system" is right; that it secure:
and enforces the will of the people
But no pledge ever is exactel by
the body of the people, or in the
interest of the boiy of the people
Fo- that really is not Necessary
On politicalquestions members o
the Legislator in general will &C
with their party, and are expected
to do so; in other matters there i
always some privatei interest agains
which all ought to be on thei
guard. A fraction of the people
not the people; faction of part,
is not party. The State
ment" pledge was mere factiona
expedient and effort which in it
results has completely defeated tn
will of the people, not merely in tn
election of Chamberlain but in tn
election of Bourne as we'll.
Pledges of candidates tor the Leg
islature to salary grabbers have pre-
duced most immoral combinatie
for extortion in the shape of more
for officials in all parts otthe states
for the creation of a great list of ur
necessary and hitherto unknow
Office.
Perhaps the time is coming whe
the state of Oregon will signify tha
it has had quite enough of this sy:
TEN, and will put an end to it, fror
Statement One" down the Who'll
: line. For it cannot long be pleasin
to the people to find that their pol
teal rights have been bartered ava
{ by pledges which elect men to til
CHEST political Offices who do ne
/ represent their principles at all, an
that the revenues of the state, pal
: by a drastic system of taxation, Al
f pledged" in vast sums for increaS
of salaries and creation of an add
tional horde of officials. The pledg
system is indeed bearing its fulle'
: fruit.
: And to clinch the pledge as
salaries and Offices the "emere ency
clause, which in these cases is mer
ly an assumption as false as impu'
> ent, is freely used, so as to cut o
the referendum aud avert the su'
rejection that would be the fate
: the jobs if the popular vote we
. brought to bear upon them.
Might il not also be suggeste
e that each of these acts, in order
E provide sure protection for the v
rious jobs, should declare that Il
, initiative never should be used f
E their repeall-We Oregorian.