The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1911-06-09
SENATOR BOURNE ON RECALL
He Takes Exceptions to Colonel Theodore
Roosevelt and Governor Woodrow Wilson
on Recall of Judges
Washington, June 4. 1910.

With deep regret l have read re-
ports Of criticisms made by Governor
Woodrow Wilson and Colonel Theo-
dore Roosevelt against the recall as ap-
plicable to judicial officers said SEN
ator Jonathan Bourne, Jr., in state
ment issued by him today. They
fear that if judges are made subject to
recall they will lose their independence
and permit their opinions and official
actions to be influenced by their politi-
cal interests.
II that is true, then judges now per-
nit their decisions and official actions
to be influenced by desire for renomin-
alton, reelection or promotion. If
judge will permit his official actions to
be influenced by fear of the recall, he
already permits his official actions to be
influenced by fear OF the political boss
and his backer, the campaign contrib
utor. l challenge Governor Wilson and
Colonel Roosevelt to deny it.
The objection Of these two eminent
gentlemen is not so much criticism
of the recall as it 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 common to refer
to popular action under the recall as
mob rule losing sight of the fact that
no officer can be recalled without
majority vote. To refer to the majority
OF the people of state acting deliber-
ately in a recall election as mob rule
is an unwarranted insult to the Ameri-
can electorate. Nowhere in American
history can there be found single in
stance in which the people acting under
fair election laws, manifested a spirit
that can be called mob rule
In Oregon, where the recall is in
practical operation, and where it applies
to judges as we'll as to other elective
officers, there has not been single
suggestion of recalling any judge, nor
has there been any effort to recall any
state or county officer, so far as know.
1t has been applied in only two or three
instances to municipal officers. We
shall be more successful in accomplish
ing governmental reform if we adhere
closely to facts and use arguments based
only upon practical experience, rather
than draw upon our imaginations to
construct reasons against popular con-
troll of government.
Much has been said and written
about half baked ideas Some in
dividuals have posed as harmonizers
and compromisers. There is no such
thing as harmony or compromise on
fundamental. The thing is either right
or wrong. The basic principa under
lying the recall is whether the people
are capable of self-government, whether
better government is attained by judges
and other public servants being respon-
sive and accountable to individuals or
only accountable to the composite citi-
zen, Individual unknown. Those ad-
vocating the initiative, but opposing
the recall Of judges or any public SER
want are inconsistent and demonstrate
lack of study and grasp Of the subject.
The same logic, analysis and mental
deduction applies to the recall as to the
initiative. II the people are capable OF
leglslatlng under the lnluatVe OF ol
vetoing under the referendum, they are
equally capable Of recalling any public
servant. have repeatedly demonstrat-
ed that the people can never legislate
against public welfare and as l conf
dently assert they never will recall
public servant, Judge or otherwise, who
serves general welfare. All who believe
general welfare to be better motive
power OF government than selfish in
terest will vote and work for the earliest
possible adoption in every state OF the
initiative and referendum, and the re-
call Of all public servants, including
judges.
The good things OF life are like a