Gilpin observer., 1910-09-08
DEMOCRATS DESERVE
ALL THE CREDIT

10 nave an opportunity to decide
whether or not they wish to initiate
their own laws. That this opportun
ity is to be offered is due to some
exceptionally clever political mani
pulating, in which it must be admit.
ted the Republicans got very much
the worst of it. But it didn't make
any great amount OF difference which
way the minority members of the
senate jumped, as they were uncom-
fortably located between the devil
and the deep sea. Few of them are
able to state clear'y, even at this
late day, which direction they start
ed or where they landed.
! When it was realized that the Re-
publicans in the senate were deter
mined If possible to block all legisla-
! tion in the extra session, the Demo-
Gratis began laying plans to beat them
at their own game. In order to pass
the initiative and referendum bill it
was necessary to have five RepubE-
can votes, and the prospect of get
ting more than two was very slim at
/ first. 1t was then the idea was con-
ceived to burden the measure with
unreasonable restrictions, thus giving
the Republicans chance to make
their bluff about favor.ng real reform
legislation, such as the people de-
manded. The scheme worked amdir-
ably, and the anglers history records
no case where hungry sucker grab
bed more greedily for the bait,or got
firmer hold. The bill as introduced
in the senate, and to all intents and
purposes receiving the hearty support
of the caucus of that body, provided
that 10 per cent of the voters must
sign a petition to initiate or refer
legislation, that 81 per cent should
vote on proposition to entitle it
to consideration, and there were
other Objectionable features that real
ly nullified the real purpose Then
the Republican members pulled off
their great spectacular grand stand
play. expecting to glorify themselves
and their party without in the least
altering the case. I'VE won't stand
for any such fake measure" they
shouted. THE dear people want the
pure Oregon initiative and referen-
dunn law, and ought to have. it. We
will support such bill or nothing" /"
When they were gwen suffic ent time
to spread this to all corners of the
state, and to emphasize and reiterate
in the corporation kept newspapers
that the present administration
would stand for nothing but fake
bill, the Democrats called the bluff
by reporting out the Oregon law as
passed by the lower house. In the
vernacular OF the street, the Repub-
licans had one hung on EN-" To
vote for the measure put them ''in
bad" with their own party. To vote
against it "queered" them with the
whole people. They chose the easier
way and majority reluctantly res
ponded "Aye." One stayed with his
convictions and voted negatively.
while two hiked out to avoid going
on record.
/ Within the Democratic caucus there
was also a clever scheme worked,
which is more responsible than any
one thing for the final passage of
this. the most important of direct
legislation measures. Some members
| were conscientiously holding out for
| high percentages and other restric-
tions and apparently had the backing
of others in the caucus who in real
ity realized that an acceptable law
must be enacted in order to make
good with the people. At the psy-
Geological moment Senator Carr gan
changed the whole situation by NOV.
ing that the house bill be taken up
and supported by the Democratic
body, and soon after the Republican
bluff was called.
/ No other measure requires two
, thirds vote, consequently the OBJ
! structionists are out of the running,
and other pledges will be redeemed.
In the initiative and referendum,
however, practically every Democratic
promise has been delivered, as the
adoption of this measure places the
matter of making or accepting laws
entirely in the hands of the people.
The passage of this bill leaves no ex-
cuse for a third PARTY or Socialist
ticket. The Democrats have made
good in giving Colorado the initiative
and referendum. without frills or OBJ.
stacles, but in as perfect shape as
was ever asked by the most ardent
reform advocate.
D. Richard TrayifbicE ,vbn bod hoar