The Detroit times., 1911-05-05
STATES FUTURE
LEFT TO PEOPLE
Gov. Johnson's Administration Re-
deems Pledges and Places Power
To Rule With the Electorate.
BY HIRAM W. JOHNSON.

ny FIhAM w. JSTNSSN'
SACRAMENTO, May 4.-The effort
10 exempt the judiciary under the op-
grafton OF the recall, was the last de-
|termined attempt to block the pro-
|gress OF California's new administra-
|klon in the fulfllment Of Its pledges.
In the struggle In the legislature
+o secure the adoption OF q resolution
10 submit TO the people the question
bf a general recall law, the forces or
Special privilege were driven from
their last intrenchments.
Three important steps remained:
To safeguard public funds.
To further fortify the state against
corporate aggression.
To extend the power OF the people
| II the National Congress.
The first was accomplished by the
Creation of a board Of control to re-
|place the existing state board OF ex-
aminers, which had proven itself In
Effective in preventing waste and ex-
Ltravagance. The new board, made
by the governor, was EN-
powered TO supervise the expendi-
lures OF funds for state institutions,
| n the matter of purchasing supplies,
letting contracts, inspecting building
and other work performed
Tor the state and otherwise to guard
hgalnst wasteful expenditure OF pub
| ic funds.
The second step was accomplished
by extending the powers and jurisdic-
lion OF the railroad commission from
railroads to all public service corpor-
ktions.
The "oreson Plan"
What has come to be known as the
tOregon Plan" accomplished the third
6tep. Though, under the existing d.
rect primary law, the people had gain
led the power of choosing by direct
Hote their representatives in the low
er house of the national congress, the
Function Of electing U. s. senators
Btill remained with the legislature.
|The new administration stood pledg-
I'D to transfer this function to the
people.
We believed the Oregon Plan to
be the most satisfactory method OF
effecting this transfer. Its operation,
think, is now very generally under
stood. BY indirection 1t removes tho
function of electing U. 8. senators,
conferred upon legislatures by the
of the u. s. from the
legislature to the people, by permit
ling the pledging OF candidates for
he legislature to vote in the iegtsia-
|ure for the peoples choice for u. 8.
senator, as expressed by direct vote
ht a statewide election.
A hill amending the existing direct
primary law to include the Oregon
blan was submitted to the legislature
hnd passed without serious opposi-
hon.
Ii was q long, hard, splendid ses-
Bion. II was a session unprecedented
In the history of the state. Ii marked
the end of one era, the dawn OF an
|pther.
The S5th day ended with every
bromise of the new administration
FULFILLED, with q list Of clean-cut vic
kories for the people truly astounding
in extent and import.
"it Rests With the People,"
How far reaching will be those vic.
tories, to what extent both state and
nation will benefit by them, rests
largely with the electorate Of Cali
|fcrnia. =.
My faith in the intelligence and
the patriotism Of the average Ameri-
can voter leads me to the firm con-
|,iction that the splendid opportuni-
ties created by the legislature will be
Improved to the utmost in California:
and that thereby the cause OF true
democracy, the struggle to establish
government in this nation. Will be
advanced intelligently, effectively,
permanently.