The Paonia progressive and the Paonia newspaper., 1911-06-08
NATIONAL NEWS

Washington, June 4th.-"With
deep regret l have read reports of
criticisms made by Governor Wood
row Wilson and Col. Theodore
Roosevelt against the Recall as appli-
cable to judicial officers" said Sena-
tor Jonathan Bourne, Jr. in a state
ment issued by him today. "They
fear that II Judges are made subject
to recall they will lose their inde-
pendence and permit their opineons
and official actions to be influenced
by their political interests. II that
is true, then Judges now permit
their decisions and official actions to
be Influenced by desire for renomina-
ton, reelection, or promotion. II a
Judge will permit his official actions
to be Influenced by fear of the Recall,
he already permits his actions to be
Influenced by fear OF the political
boss and his backer, the campaign
contributor. l challenge Governor
Wilson and Col. Roosevelt to deny 1t.
The objection OF these two eminent
gentlemen Is not so much a criticism
OF the Recall as 1t is a reflection upon
the integrity and intelligence of the
American people, and the integrity
and courage OF the Judiciary"
Some individuals assume that the
people proceeding under the Recall
act from passion and prejudice and
without reason. 1t has been COM
mon to refer to popular action un-
der the Recall as mob rule, losing
sight OF the fact that no officer can be
recalled without a majority vote.
To refer to the majority OF the people
OF state acting deliberately In a Re-
call election as mob rule is an unwar-
ranted insult to the American elec-
torate. Nowhere in Amarican history
can there be found a single instance
in which the people acting under fair
election laws manifested n spirit
that can be calleds mob rule.
"ln Oregon where the Recall In in
practical operation and where 1t ap-
plies o.Judges as well as to other
elective officers. there has not been a |
single suggestion OF recalling any
Judge. nor has there been any effort
to Recall any state or country officer |
so far as I know. Ii has been ap-
piled in only two or three instances
TO municipal officers. We shall b-
more successful In accomplishing
governmental reform five adhere
closely to facts and use argument |
based only upon practical experience
rather than draw upon our imagina-
tions to construct reasons against |
populaa control of Government"
Much has been said and written
about 'half-baked ideas. Some indi- |
vIduals have posed as thermometers
and comprizers. There Is no such |
thing as harmony or compromise on
n fundamental. The thing IL either
right or wrong. The basic principle |
underlying the Recall is whether the |
people are capable of self government. |
whether better governmentlis at
tained by Judges and other public
servants being responsive and ac-
cduntable to individuals or only ac-
countable to the composits citizens, |
unknown. Those advocating the |
Initiative. but opposing the Recall OF
Judges or any other servant are
inconsistent and demonstrate n lack |
of study and grasp of the subject. The |
same logic, analysis and mental de- |
duction applies to the Recall as to |
the Initiative. II the people are cap
able of legislating under the Initia-
tive or OF vetoing under the Refer
endum. they are equally capable OF
recalling any public servant. have
repeatedly demonstrated that the
people never can legfsiate against
general welfare and as confidently |
assert they never will recall a public |
servant. Judge or ortherwise' who
serves general welfare. All who be-
lieve general welfare to be a better
motive power OF government than
selfish interest will vote and work |
for the earliest possible adoption in
every state of the Initiative and Re-
ierendum. and the Recall Of all public
servants, including Judges