The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-10-16
BOURNE TALKS
OREGON LAWS
Initiative HAS STOPPED "Jok-
Err" IN LEGISLATIVE ENACT.
MENTs, SAYS THE SENATOR
RECALL DooMs CRAFTS.

RECALL DooMs CRAFTS. f.
The signal success Of Oregon's sys-
tenn Of government, with its distinc-
tive features Of the initiative and ref
erendum. recall and currupt practices
act. was the keynote Of an address
last night by United States Senator
Jonathan Bourne, Jr, before the mem
bers Of the Union League club, says
the Chicago Tribune.
The speech was similar to the one
Senator Bourne delivered before the
senate . year ago, but it was the first
occasion when Chicago's representa-
tive men had an opportunity to meet
and hear the man classed as one of
the founders Of Oregon's progressive
government.
"The great problem Of the American
people Is to make their government
representative" asserted Senator
Bourne mo man is possessed Of nat
ural authority, and government must
be a matter Of mutual agreement
The success and duration Of popular
government depends on responsibility
and accountability, the responsibility
Of chosen representatives to do their
work, and their accountability to the
people if they fail in their trust
"Free and Equal" Not Here.
The Declaration of Independence,
with its principle that all men are
created free and equal is not estab-
Mshed in this country. Many public
ofncials secure, and have secured,
their positions through rings backed
by corporations with selfish interests
to promote and special privileges to
promulgate. But the people are
awa..o and subservience to the polite
al boss is coming to an end.
THE initiative and referendum are
the foundation Of all truly representa-
tive government When the people
have the power to compel legislation
which they desire and require. then
unwise laws and special privileges
will be defeated. The individual voter
should take up the question aggress-
lively with every candidate. It is a
battle Of ballots, in which lines must
be clearly drawn, and the would-be po-
litical generals must be compelled to
state clearly on which side of the line
they stand.
"Our people will take a deeper in
terest in affairs of government, il they
are directly responsible for their laws.
When this ideal is achieved, general
contentment will be destroyed. Give
the people power to legislate and they
will develop the capacity to under
stand and the willingness to partici.
pate.
Bosses Fear Education.
"The enemies Of popular govern
ment are not afraid the people will
not understand how to vote-but they
are afraid that they will understand
too well. Measures submitted under
the initiative cannot be. emasculated
inserted. The referendum protects
good legislation from Matchmaking
corporations.
Hessians have said that popular gov.
eminent is failing in Oregon. I say
that the people will vote on thirty-two
will vote more intelligent1y after four
months discussion than will the legis-
lature in committee rooms and lob
bies.
"The cost of the initiative and ref
erendum has been three-fourts Of a
cent per capita in Oregon. An effort
to repeal the system would be defeat
cd Overwhelmingly. The people have
exercised most discriminating tudg-
ment, have passed good laws. and
have defeated bad ones.
Check Grating Legislators.
They have made it impossible for
grating legislators to deliver the
goods. They feel that they have re-
ceived full value for the money that
has been expended and they never
were more prosperous. I believe that
the people Of Oregon and Of every
other state may be trusted to act hon.
estly and intelligently on any legisla'
ton submitted to them"
At the business meeting which fol.
lowed the banquet given to Senator
Bourne, the club voted to retire
shares to the amount Of $23S,000 Of
the Union League Auxiliary associa
ton, which holds the title to the land
o (which the club building stands.
The necessary funds will be raised by
selling $50 life memberships to mem
bers between 80 and IS years Of age At
1000 each.