Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-11-18
SYSTEM IS
BEST IN WORLD,
SAYS BOURNE
Direct Legislation Keynote OF
the Arch of Popular Govern
ment, Declares Senator in
Address at Philadelphia,

Philadelphia. Nov. i7-lAH cxposi-
don ~ the much discussed oregon
system. which be declared to be the
best system Of government IN the
/ world WAS the contents of an adj
dress delivered BY United state Sena-
tor Jonathan Bourne. Jr. of oregon,
before The American Academy ct Poll
deal and Social science ~ lis opening
session mere tonieht. The senator de-
clared the initiative and the referen-
dunn the Keystone Of the Hrch OF
populer government, aand set forth
iU detail the reasons for his heller.
analNzing rs wei the other features
Of the oregon system.
IN his address senator ourne arr
gued that the initiative educates and
develops that people hy compelling
them 10 study public questions n
placing upon them responsibility Tor
nll laws. II gives every man an y
%purtuHltA to submit his ideas 10 the
people. provided eight per cent OF
them believe his ideas worthy of sub
mission 20 popular vote. thus. the
speaker argued, there Is q tendency 10
III an the people 10 the plane Of the
most advanced.
LAWS proposed under the initiative
said senator Bourne are not subject
to amendment and Therefore, cannot
be- made the means nf cnlcting jokers
as has often been done in the case Of
measures enacted bN the legislature.
Legislative blGckmail and grants of
special privilege are made Impossible"
hv the referendum
The people of oregon are satisfied
with their system of direct lcgisle-
don. ana II has not been uureasona-
bly, expensive.
oregon hos elected three United
states senators by popular vote. Tx
planning the manner of which a demo
crlt Was elected senator in oregon.
which Is "a republican state. Senator
Bourne said that 81 out Of 90 mem-
bers Of the Oregon legislature has
subscribed 10 what h known as the
Statement No !" pledge. in which
"a member OF the legislature pledges
himself 10 the people 10 always vote
for that candidate for United States
senator who has received the largest
number OF votes for that office at the
general election. In pursuance Of
such pledge the legislature elected a
democrat who had received the lJrs-
est number Of popular Votes.
senator Hourne advocated extend
Ing the direct primary 90 the election
of candidates for president and vice
president and Of delegates to national
conventions thus relieving presidents
OF any obligation TO men who make
n manipulate conventions.
"a corrupt FRACTIONS act is "a neces-
eary feature OF popular government
In ordcr To regulate campaign ex-
penditures ana prevent abuse of the
initiative and referendum and the dire
eco primary. An import feature Of
the oregon system o. the publicity
pamphlet published by the secretary
Of state ana mailed Go the voters at
least eight DAVIS before each election,
IH4.tn F4 tIf4mt ~. 44 FI.. Int rtf4 .AH AaR m
paipn may have published in this
papmhlet a statement In support OF
his candidacy. Each candidate must
pay for az least one page In The pam /
nhlrt. the amount varying, from 500
10 $40 Tor minor offices, Each
candidate may secure not more than |
three additional pages at 500 per /
puge. In the general campaign each
party may use not to exceed "a pages
IN the publicity pamphlet az $50 per
pa go, making approximately 500 for
each candidate. \ candidate shall
not cNpcnd in his primary campaign
more thtn 10 per ccnt, nor in his
general campaign more than 10 pei
cent of one wears salary in excess Of
what he phys for space in the public
lily pamphlet a candidate for COVER
nor in oregon can reach all registered
voters Ia two campaigns at q total cost
~ 5000
Concluding his speech, Senator
Bourne said.
Oregon has evolved The best sys-
tenn pt popular government ia The
The Australian ballot assures the
honesty of elections.
The registration law guards the in
tegrity of the privilege of American
citizenship 1articipation in govern-
"fhe direct primary absolutely In
sures popular selection OF an candle
dates and establishes the responsibility