The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1910-06-28
OREGON SENATOR ADDRESSES
ASSEMBLY ON POPULAR
ELECTION OF SENATORS.
REFORMS ARE DISCUSSED
lns pired by tho Recent Revelations Of
1 Corruption in the Legislature OF ".
linoia a Great Gathering OF Citizens
Oerounccs the Present System and
Considers Remedies.

Peoria. H.. June s7.--WIth q gen.
sral denunciation o, corrupt methods
alleged Ia have been practiccd IN the
legislature of Illinois Ia recent yenr-
between thrca and four hundred citi-
zcns from all parts of tha state az.
sembled here today and formed q
temporary organization 10 repair. "tht
breakdown ot representative govern
ment.
Senator Jonathan Bourne Of oregon
addressed an audience of several hun
Ircd people at the Majestic theater
tonight explaining the oregon method
Of electlng United States senator's
The conference of Illinois citizens
follows recent revelations of corrup.
tion I'm the legislature of Illinois Regu-
lation of express rates. the commits
sion form of government, municipal
charter legislation. civil service ana
election laws were discussed by Dan
r. Sheen and George T. Green. the
latter secretary of the Illinois Retail
Merchants association. Greene de-
clared that dozen men controlled
the Illinois Legislature.
TO remedy existing conditions. Nj
Greene suggested one session of tho
legislature for the introduction of bills
only, followed by second session To
pass such bills as may have been
favorably reported by committees.
United States Senator Bourne of
Oregon. speaking tonight at the meet :
ing In the interest of good govern
ment. charged that efforts had been
made at the time of the senatorial
primary election In Oregon, to dis.
honor the state and It's public service"
During the session OF the legisla-
ture." said Mr.. Bourne. "a former gov
ornnent official, an assistant to tho
chairman of the republican national
committee, appeared In Oregon and !
AIN informed promised federal appoint
ments to legislative members II they
would disregard their statement No
! pledges to the electorate. The ef-
fort was made by the enemies of the
law to create the impression that by
this persons relation with the chair
man of the republican national com
mittee during the national campaign,
he would be able to deliver these
promised appointments In case the
number one subscribers sold their
honor and betrayed their trust
statement No. pledge to which IA
legislator may subscribe provides that
he shall always "ote for that candi-
date for United States senator who
has received the largest number of
votes for that office at the general
election
Speaking directly to the people Of
Illinois. Senator Bourne said:
Whether you want popular election
of United States senators In Illinois
IN for you voters To determine. but ]
warn you any halfway or compromise
system which places party above the
entire people will result In dissatis
faction and probably corruption. II
you wish To destroy the power of the
political machine. abolish the conven-
tlon system entirely"
Senator Bourne's address In the be-
ginning was an exposition of the much
discussed oregon system, which he
declared to he the best system of pop
ular government In the world The
chief features OF that system are the
Australian ballot. strict registration
law. the initiative and referendum. tho
direct primary. including popular
election of United States senators. IA
comprehensive corrupt practices act
and the recall. all OF which Senator
Bourne declared constituted absolute
government by the people.