The Washington herald., 1910-12-01
APPROVES
The OREGON PLAN
A. f. of l.. Urges Councils
to Study System.
CAMPAIGN DEVELOPS IDEA
Growth OF Popular Government Is
Most Pronounced, the Action of
nincant I'm THAI the support of
Every WOrkInsman Is Given.

The growth of the popular government
idea as represented by the progressive
Oregon plan, embracing the Statewide
primary, direct nominations. a corrupt
practices act. the initiative and referen-
dunn. and the recall. has recently been
most pronounced. 1t developed greatly
during the campaign Illinois. for exam
pie. heretofore regarded as somewhat Ill
tra-conservative and cursed with machine
politics, voted for the initiative and ref
.erendum at the election. And in nearly
every other State an advance step was
taken either IN convention or at the
polls toward a system of more popular
government.
President Samuel Gompers win return
to Washington to-day from the meeting
of the American Federation of Labor,
which has been in session for some
days at ST. Louis The most significant
action taken by the Federation was its
unanimous and unqualified Endorsement
of the Oregon plan OF government.
Convention IndOrses Plan.
The Cigarmakers' International Union
submitted the following resolutions. which
were adopted without a dissenting voice:
Resolved by the American Federation Of Labor,
in annual session assembled, That VIC nelihd SsA
nor desire special privileges but do desire an equal
opportunity with all classes.
That We believe and hereby declare that sue
cessful and permanent government must rest phi
maTily upon the recognition u the nights OF men
and the absolute sovereignty a the people
That 10 man has natural authority Over his fell
low man. The basis Of his authority Is mutual
agreement. In society the individual surrender IS
not 10 a particular person, but TO all. HIS enn-
peIsation Is the acquisition Of an equivalent rgnI
over every other member II this community. the
peorle as whole are sovereign and each individual
participant in that sovereignty.
That the success and duration Of representative
government depends upon responsibility and &C.
eountability-the responsibility u the people Tor
their laws and selection Of ther public servants
and the accountability Of the public servants di-
rectly 70 the people Under popular government,
meaning In its present evolution the initiative ana
referendum. and efficient direct primary, corrupt
practices and recall laws, general welfare must b
the basis n every law and goal OF every public
servant The people are responsible for their lava
AID the public servant is directly accountable %
the people the result being the necessitated deyel
opment Of both the electorate and the public serv
ant.
That under delegated government. still in rogue
in most Of our States. the people have no voice
in their legislation, thus restraining the develop
ment of the electorate nor haze they any voice N
the selection OF their public servants. thus de
bauching public service because q the direct &C
c0untability Of the public servant 70 the pohucA
boss or speSial interest for his nomination.
That under the oonyentioa system every pibli.
servant knows the interest the individual =
whom he owes his nomination. heEoe his inclination
TO ssrve a selfish interest
That under the direct primary law. the p'ihli'
servant is nominated not by any known individual
or interest but by the composite electorate, henc,
his inclination must h. 20 the general welfare
That We therefore. urge organized labor through
cut the Jnited states % make the adoption q tt
initiative and referendum the issue in every cam
paigu without regard 10 farty lines until suci
amendment has been ADOPTED. and that then cam
paien be commenced for adoption Of the direc
primary, CORPUS racsices act, and recall
That We urge every council 81 the American Fed
Grafton q Labor 20 study and discuss the Oregos
system Il popular government, IS explained by Hon
Jonathan Bourne. IT,, in the speech delivered b
him in the United States Senate. May 5, 1910.
That we urge all citizens 10 question candidate
for legislative Ocas 10 their attitude upon thes
questions and refuse % support any candidate, re
gardess Of party who is not pledged 20 every vote
in his State TO work and for the initiative and
referendum. direct primary. corrupt practices act
and recall substantially in the form Of the Oregon
laws which have been demonstrated by pTactica
experience % 30 the best thus far evolved by th
| brains Il