Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1910-05-20

Of United States senators, the cor
rupt pract1ses act and the recall. will
restore confidence between the people
and their public servants. In add.
ton to these laws, he also advocated
direct selection of candidates for pres
ident and vice-president. and direct
election of delegates to national con.
ventions.
Oregon Laws Good.
He explained and discussed the Ore.
gon laws at length and declared that
Oregon has the best system Of popu-
lar government known in the world
today, an absolute government by the
people.
The Australian ballot, he said, in
sures secrecy, prevents intimidation
and eliminates bribery. The initiative
develops the electorate and the refer
endum restraints the legislature. Brains,
ideas and argument rather than
money. intimidation and log-rolling,
govern the standards Of legislation.
Since the initiative and referendum
was adopted In Oregon In 1902. the
people OF that state have voted upon
20 measures submitted under the ini-
tiative, five under the referendum and
four referred to the people by the
legislature, these measures presenting
every phase Of legislation and some
Of them being bills Of considerable
length. That the people acted intel
f1xy fc hn 20 hot
in no instance had there been general
dissatisfaction with the result of the
vote. The people are not only intel
ligent, but fair. There has been no
hasty or ill-advised legislation. Cor
porations have not been held up and
blackmailed by the people as they
often have been by legislators. The
people of Oregon were never more
prosperous and contented than they
are today and never before did the
state offer such an inviting field for
investment of capital.
Direct Primary Law.
The direct primary election law pro-
vides for direct nomination of candi-
dates for United States senators, and
also an expression Of choice at the
general election. Candidates for the
state legislature may sign pledge
known as Statement No. 1" in which
they promise, if nominated and
elected, to always vote for that
candidate for the United States SEN
ate who receives the highest number
of the peoples votes at the pre-
ceding general election.
mo oath could be more sacred in
honor" declared Senator Bourne, mo
contract more binding; no mutual con-
sideration more definite than is con-
tanned in this pledge; and no parties
to a contract could be of more conse-
quence to government and society
than the electorate upon the one side
and it's servants upon the other"
Though the greatest possible strain
was put upon the law, no member of
the legislature has ever violated his
pledge to the people of Oregon. and
three United States senators have
been elected after receiving the popu-
lar Endorsement.
In conclusion Senator Bourne said
that the purpose of the Oregon laws
is to destroy the irresponsible politi-
cal machine and put all elective Of
ficers in the state in direct touch
with the people as the real source of
authority; to give direct and full force
to the ballot of every elector in Ore
gon and to eliminate dominance of
corporate and corrupt influences in
administration of public affairs. The
Oregon laws mark the course that
must be pursued before the wrongful
use OF corporate power can be over
thrown, the people restored to power
and lasting reform secured. They
insure absolute government by the
people"
JOHN J. HANNAH.