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

Especial correspondence 10 MoIhihA """ihh'
Phoenix, Ariz., Sept. 6.--That the
adoption of the initiative and refer
endum will be a dangerous menace TO
the admission of the territories, and
that the system has sienally failed and
brought confusion worse c%onfounded
in Oregon, was the keynote Of an ad-
dress made in Phoenix on Monday
morning by former Governor Theodore
T. Geer Of Oregon, known as The
father Of the initiative and the ref
erendum. Governor Geer was instru-
mental i'm inaugurating these proNi-
sions in oregon, and having seen the
error of his ways, is warning the peo-
pie of the southwest against making
a similar dangerous mistake.
For several years Mr.. Geer has been
one of the foremost public figures in
the state of oregon. In fact, for
thirty years he has taken a promi-
nent part in the affairs of that state.
He was elected a member of the ore
gon house of representatives in 1851
again in 1883, 1890 and 1892. He was
speaker Of the house m 1891. He was
a republican presidential elector in
Uses and was chosen messenger to
carry the vote to Washington. He
was elected governor of the state in
1899, serving four years.
Mr.. Geer is regarded as one of the
ablest and cleanest men of oregon.
He was a farmer ana~has always
stood with the reform forces.
Mr.. Geer in spite of his political
activity had devoted much time to
journalism as editor of the Salem
Oregon Statesman and also the PEN
dleton Daily Tribune.
Only Partly Responsible.
Mr.. Geer has been spoken OF as
the father of the initiative. referen-
dunn and recall. He disclaimed pa
ternity of the principles of direct leg
islation in Oregon. He said nearly all
Of the republicans there were equally
to blame.
Il have heard he said, chat q
strong effort is being made to put
it into your constitution, and / am
amazed that you should unnecessarily
try TO engraft something upon your
constitution that iinperils your chance
Of admission. / do not think that
Woulu IcBdIu IL ldNbl dpi9 =
If YOU must have direct legislation,
there will be ample opportunity to
get it after you have become a state.
1t is not now or mover with you.
why tax chances? Get statehood
and then make you constitution to
suit the majority.
Il noticed another thing; n of
your democratic papers last night un-
der flaring headlines predicted a
Great Democratic Victory Constitu-
lions are not supposed to be formed
by parties. If the constitution should
be submitted to a republican congress
and president as q democratic con-
stitution, the result of a Great DEM
|ocratic Victory that fact would not
greatly conduce to the approval Of
the document. You want in the first
place a constitution with which con-
gress can find no fault"
HAS the initiative and referendum
improved the character Of legislation
in Oregon" Mr.. Geer was asked.
Hc~lter-Skcltcr Laws.
1T has not" he replied; 1T has re-
suited in he~lter-skelter legislation,
which comparatively few voters have
understood. We have now thirty
two bills to be voted on at the com
ing election. Under a crude arrange
ment for acquainting the voters with
the character of the bills, the
secretary Of state issues pamphlets