Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-07-29


most OF the other states of the union
In the development of her primary
aud election laws, her official machiu-
cry for determining and making effec-
tive the will " the majority in regard
10 the selection of officials and the
enactment OF legislation. No intelli-
gent citizen Of West Virginia can read
the speech delivered In the United
States senate May 9Th last by Hon.
Jonalhon Bourne, Jr., without feel
ing of earnest longing for time when
similar statement might be made by
some United States senator about pc
liticsl conditions in this state. The
Post-Chroniele hopes that every reader
of this editorial will send for copy Of
Senator BourDe's speech and read 1t
carefully. A postal card request adj
dressed 10 Hon. Jonsthon Bourne, Jr.
United States Senate, Washington,
will bring copy of the speech To any
person who may be interested. Ask
for copy of Popular VERSUS Dele
gated Government"
Oregon has the best system OF popu-
lar government In the world today.
That system includes the Australian
ballot, registration of voters, initiatiys
and referendum, direct primary. cor
rupt practices act and the recall Ii
furnishes the means of actual self gov
sranlent by free people--not a gov-
ernnent delegated by the people to an
oligaFchy Of bosses, big and little.
The speech of Senator Bourne gives
a MOI interesting account of the act
ual working of the Oregon system,
and not the least interesting part of 1t
Is the story of the election of United
States Senator Chamberlain, Demo-
crat, by Republican Legislators. The
enemies of the direct primary have
used that incident to prejudice the
minds Of party men in other states
against the direct primary plan. In
the light of what Senator Bourne has
to say on the subject, and In view Of
the present state OF affairs in West
Virginia, the Oregon plan Of choosing
United States senators will have much
to commend 1t to the favorable consid-
Grafton of our citizens.
Especially pertinent to present con-
ditions IN this state, too, is Senator
Bourne's discussion Of tie corrupt
practices act and the Limitations which
the Oregon Law puts on the expendI-
tune - mousy by candidates for sIoc-
tion both in primaries and IN the gem
eral election. No man is permitted to
expend over twenty-five per cent Of
the annual salary OF the effice for
which he Is candidate. 1t would not
do an Oregon senator any goo to
blow in $3.50, 900 to secure his nomina.
ton and reelection, for the candidate
who is convicted Of exceeding the le-
gal limit of expenditure is disqualified
from entering upon the duties of the
office.
Naturally the development of the
Oregon system has been matter of
growth. One step after another, the
common wealth has found its way to
realization of this ideal Of popular gov
eminent. Prob ,bly it would not be
a safe experiment to transplant the
system in its entirety and apply 1t TO
existing political conditions in West
Virginia, but we may well adopt some
Of the features Of the plan which has
worked so well in Oregon. West Vir
gInja seems ready TO make trial Of the
direct primary method Of making
nominations. With new primary
law should come tightening up OF
our corrupt practices act, and we may
possibly have reached a point where
we could well adopt the Oregon expe-
dent of the Official publicity pamph-
let. At all events, we must find some
way to make the overlavish use Of
money in primaries aad elections both
dangerous and disreputable. Tie Ore
gen plan is worthy Of careful consider.
alton. Post Chronicle.