Los Angeles herald., 1910-06-28

"When the initiative and referendum
were under discussion 1t was predicted free
Iy by enemies of popular government that
the power would be abused and that cap
itaIists would not invest their money In q
state where property would be subject to
attacks of popular passion and temporary
whims. Experience has exploded this argu-
ment."-SenatOr Bourne.
PEORIA, ILL.,, June 27.-United States
Senator Bourne OF Oregon, speaking
tonight at the meeting in the interest
of good government, charged that eff
forts had been made at the time of
the senatorial primary election in Ore
gon to "dishonor the state and its
public service"
During the session of the legisla-
ture,'' said Mr.. Bourne, "a former gov
ernment official, an assistant to the
chairman of the Republican national
committee, appeared in Oregon and, [
am informed, promised federal ap-
pointments to legislative members if
they would disregard their statement
No. 1 pledges to the electorate
1.-THE effort was made by the enemies
Of the law to create the impression
that by this persons relations with
the chairman of the Republican ma
tional committee during the national
campaign he would be able to deliver
these promised appointments in case
the No 1 subscribers sold their honor
and betrayed their trust"
(Statement No. 1 pledge, to which
a legislator may subscribe, provides
that he always shall vote for that can
didate for United States senator who
has received the largest number of
votes for that office at the general
election.)
VOTERS MUST DETERMINE SYSTEM
Speaking directly to the people OF
Illinois, Mr.. Bourne said:
'Whether you want popular selec-
tion of United States senators in IL
linois is for you voters to determine,
hut warn you any half way or COM
promise system which places party
above the entire people will result In
dissatisfaction and probably corrup-
tion. If you wish to destroy the power
of the political machine, abolish the
convention system entirely. If you
wish to establish a popular selection
Of senators, inaugurate system
which takes away from the legisla-
ture the right to do more than ratify
the act of the people at the general
election"
Senator Bourne's address in the be-
ginning was an exposition of the
much discussed Oregon system, which
he declared to be the best system of
popular government in the world. The
chief features of that system are the
Australian ballot, strict registration
law. the initi; tive and referendum, the
direct primary including popular Sc
lection of United States senator's; a
comprehensive corrupt practices act,
and the recall, all of which Senator
Bourne declared constituted absolute
government by the people.
DECLARES PEOPLE HONEST
"The people are not only Intelligent
but fair and honest" said Senator
Bourne.
"When the initiative and referen-
dunn were under discussion it was pre-
dicted freely by enemies of popular
government that the power would be
abused and that capitalists would not
invest their money in a state where
property would be subject to attacks
of popular passion and temporary
whims Experience has exploded this
argument"
The speaker then dwelt at length
on the various features of the Oregon
system and continued:
"Plainly stated, the aim and purpose
of the Oregon law is to destroy the
irresponsible political machine and to
nut all elective offices in the state
in direct touch with the people as the
real source of authority; in short. to
give direct and full force to the ballot
of every Individual elector in Oregon
and to eliminate dominance of cor
porate and corrupt influences in the
administration of public affairs"