Arizona republican., 1911-01-14
ONE REFORM
IN OREGON
Application Of Primary To
Presidential Nominations
HISTORY OF THE MOVEMENT
Had It's Start in the Elk
clusion of Senator Bourne
From the Last Republican
National Conventional
Newspaperman Talks.
HISTORY OF THE MOVEMENT

J. s. Dellinger. editor of the Daily
Historian of Astoria. ore, who was i'm
the city yesterday on his way from a
journey through the east, speaking of
oregon affairs, gave an interesting his
tory of a law adopted by the people at
the late election amending the direct
primary law so that its provisions
would apply TO nominations for presi-
dent and vice president.
This was one of the initiative meas
ures of the Peoples Power League"
1t was suggested by Senator Bourne
for the following reason and the fol-
lowing purpose: 1t will be recalled that
Senator Bourne was an early and per-
sistent advocate of the denomination
of President Roosevelt in 1908. He &C
quired fame by inventing the phrase,
second elective term"
In spite of the vigorous declaration
of President Roosevelt that he would
not accept the nomination and that
Mr.. Taft should be the nominee, Sena
tor Bourne was determined that ore
gon should cast its vote for Roosevelt.
As chairman OF the delegation he would
cast the vote.
But the Oregon convention instructed
for Taft and moreover omitted the
name of Senator Bourne from the dele
CATION to the national republican con-
vention.
1t was after the recovery Of Senator
Bourne from this blow that he set
about fixing things so that such a dis
aster should not recur. The Oregon
7 no
ton of the amendment to the direct
primary law. Mr.. Dellinger says that
throughout the campaign last fall it
was regarded as a joke. so grotesque
did il appear. II could not be conceived
that any benefit to the people could
result from it. II would derange the
election machinery every four years.
requiring that primary elections should
be held in April rather than regularly
in September. Beside, il provided for
the payment of the expenses Of the ma
tional delegates of all recognized par
ty organizations. The expenses of any
delegate were limited to 5000, but il was
probable that at least four parties with
perhaps ten delegates each. would be
recognized so that this bill which would
be saddled upon the taxpayers would
amount to $4,000.
But contrary to expectations, this
amendment was adopted by a small
majority, thanks to the activity and ex-
cellent organization of the Peoples
Power league. the apathy of some vot-
ers and the willingness Of others TO try
anything new and gaucherie.
The advantage that Senator Bourne
and his band will derive from the new
arrangement is this: The amendment
allows any man to propose himself for
nomination for delegate to the national
convention. on obtaining Il per cent
of the qualified voters of the state his
name is put on the primary ballot. The
prospect of riding on the cars and
having their expenses paid by the state
will attract many candidates for dele
gates so that there will be a large and
scattering field. The Bourne element
will see to the nomination Of the dele
gates it wants and the strength of the
league will be put behind that particu
lar group. The vote of the outsiders,
though il may be a large one, will be
divided among the innumerable can
didates who have succeeded in getting
on the ballot.
Mr.. DeIIinger speaking further of Mr..
Bourne. said that there was-little doubt
that he would be retired next year. at
the end Of his first term. Golfers
expose last May of his intimate rela-
tions with Senator Aldrich during the
tariff fight greatly weakened him in
Oregon and he suffered further last
fall when it was learned that he had
made a trade with the democrats for
the defeat of Bowerman, the republican
candidate for governor the considera
ton being it is alleged. the democratic
support at the primaries in 1913 for the
senatorial election.
Mr. Dellinger said he was not sure,
but he had been informed that Mr.
Bourne had returned to Oregon only
twice since his election to the senate
nearly five years ago. The campaign
last fall was one of those occasions.
w. s. U'ren. the secretary of the Peo-
pies Power league, Mr.. Dellinger said.
was in the pay of Senator Bourne and
thus is shown the close relations be-
tween the oregon ''progressives" and
the socialists For it is not only ad
mitted but a boosted fact that U'ren
draws a salary of $4,000 a year from
the FEELS fund contributed by Fels, the
soap manufactures, well known So
cialist. II will be recalled that John T..
White. who participated in the cam
paign in this county last fall. boosted