Graham guardian., 1910-08-12
A GOOD SHOWING

A OOOD S1OWlNN
The following article, published
in a recent issue of the Daily Globe,
is not only interesting but very
timely.
To those of advanced thought and
who really have the best interests
of the people at heart, the showing
made by the enactment of the in
itiative and referendum amendments
into the constitution of Oregon is
conclusive proof that direct legisla-
tion of this kind makes for the best
government for the people, and pre-
vents to a large degree the many
abuses of political machine.
AS the people of Arizona are now
on the verge of selecting the dele
gates to the constitutional conven-
ton, information showing the good
results of direct legislation in other
States should be read and studied
earnestly.
The article is as follows:
The results that the people have
achieved through the initiative and
referendum since direct legislation
became law in Oregon, have been
summarized as follows:
l. They have made a direct pri-
mary nominating elections law that
is much more satisfactory in it's re-
suits than was the old convention
plan.
2. They have adopted practical
methods of selecting their United
States senator's, securing election by
the legislature of the candidates Sc
lected by the people, thereby abol-
ishing the greatest single source of
corruption, waste and confusion in
the legislature.
3. They have destroyed the polit-
ical machine and the job of the
party bosses.
A. They have abolished railroad
passes within the State for public
officers as we'll as for private in
dividuals.
5. They have stopped the graft
ers' sale of franchises in Portland
and other cities.
6. They have deprived the legis-
lature of power to call constitu-
tional convention without the peo-
pies approval on referendum vote.
z. They have given cities home
rule in charter making.
s. They have taught the legisla-
ture to respect the constitutional
provision against putting special ap-
preparations in the general appro-
priation bill.
9. They have added the recall to
the constitution, giving the people
power to discharge State and local
officials who prove to be incompetent
or trustworthy.
10. They have removed the con-
stitutional restrictions preventing
proportional representation and the
election by majority instead of
plurality vote.
IL. They have passed laws re-
jected by the legislature for taxing
certain corporations.
IL. They have rejected some un-
popular appropriations made by the
legislature.
13. They have made stringent
law againt the excessive use of
money in elections; law which is
designed, so far as money is con-
cerned, to put poor man on an
equal footing with rich man in
seeking public Office. 1t limits can
didates to an expense account in all
hardly exceeding one-fourth of a
years salary in the office sought,
and the State bears a large part of
the outlay in the distribution of
literature for parties and candidates.
ID. They have made start to-
ward protecting and preserving sal
mon and sturgeon in the Columbia
river and its tributaries.
Is. They are developing sense
of individual responsibility for the
success of self-government in Ore
gon, such as most men never felt
when the legislature had the ex-
elusive right to make laws and pro-
pose constitutional amendments.