Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-09-08

to the 100000 voters OF the state,
These pamphlets contain the bills
and arguments for and against them.
These arguments are sent to the sec
/ rotary by anybody who chooses to
make them and usually they are
made either by persons who nave an
| interest in them who have no other
business to attend to. The pamphlets
themselves usually find their way into
the waste basket. l have talked with
many business men about the pending
laws and | find that most of them say
that they win vote Mo- ON them. The
laws may be good or may not be;
them and they reason that if the bills
are defeated oregon will be in no
worse shape than before"
In reply to another question, Gov
ernor Geer said that the sentiment
in oregon against direct legislation
was growing, especially among re-
p~ublicans. but there is no easy way
to crystalline this sentiment, Under
the oregon plan" the substitution
Of another plan is a difficult thing,
The Genesis.
Governor Geer was asked how
the principle Of direct legislation came
to be adopted. He smiled and said
1--WE got that from populism. The
populist party had been strong in the
state and that was the doctrine con-
corning which 1t had been especially
insistent. The populist party began
to break up and it occurred to MS
that If we should adopt that doctrine
we would attract the fragments of the
party. We attracted them; they are
lin our midst" and We have had in
festival troubles ever since; they are
growing worse. The initiative, ref
erendum and recall has bee the foun-
dalton on which the s~o-called oregon
plan has been built"
"NNas not the Portland %Oregonian
at that time strongly in favor of di-
rect legislation?
"Oh, yes replied the governor, 1--WE
all were; we went into il with our
eyes open. but we could not see whittier
it would Lead
As to the recall, Governor Geer said
that 1t had been exercised, but
once and that was in a small town,
where 1t was defeated. 1t has fire.
q|uently been threatened by men who
have grievances against officials, but
It has always ended in threats. Mayor
Simon OF Portland, IN excellent ex-
ecutive, a frequently been the sub
ject Of such threats. The recall is a
farce said the governor.
The Direct Primary.
on the subject OF the direct pri-
mary, Governor Geer said he favored
it; that is a rational primary, diff
ferent from the feature of the oregon
plan which is entirely subversive Of
party organization, leaving no oppor-
tunity for the Capitalization Of party
sentiment. II is a bad thing for
both parties and the people. There
can be no conventions, no formu-
lation Of platforms, so that every
candidate Is the maker of his own
platform. 1t is argued, said Gov
ernor Geer, that the oregon system
breaks up machines; that Is true, but,
he added, a rational primary law
would have the same effect without
breaking up parties. one can rid his
barn of fleas by burning the structure
down. but that is not recognized as
the best way. But for a reasonable
primary law. one which will permit
the people to assemble in convention,
Governor Geer is a strong advocate.
While i'm office he sen a message
to the legislature recommending such
q law.