The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1912-10-17
ABOLISHING SENATE
TOPIC OF DEBATE

with the absence Of Clerk Hanson on
a hunting TIP, those who gathered at
The court house Friday evening to dls-
russ the initiative measures found the
door locked and the house in darkness.
After waiting for q time, with the ex-
peetation Of some one coming who had
a kew. one Of the party went through
window. lighted up and let in the
crowd. -
Chairman Charlie Davidson called
the meeting to order and A. w. On
thank was elected 10 serve as secretary
pro TEN. a.o ooo
The initiative measure No. 362-363
on the ballot, was taken up for discus
sion. The title is as follows: 81
1 For the amendment of Article lV of
the constitution of Oregon abolishing
the state senate; providing none but
registered voters be counted on initIa.
/ tive or referendum petitions; incress-
| ing state and municipal referendum
mowers: house Of representatives to
consist of sixty elective members, and
I the governor and unsuccessful party
candidates for governor to be eX-Officio
( members: governor to introduce all ap-
preparation bills, Legislature not to in
crease the amounts thereof, four-year
terms. annual sessions: proportional
election of members proxy system Of
voting on bills, and those introduced
after twenty days to go to the next
session; control and revocation of fran
chises.
Prof. Gibson opened the debate with
a brief outline of the bill, taking up
the various points and discussing them,
giving his views in favor of and
against each provision Of the measure.
He said he was in favor of the bill on
the whole, but admitted that there
were some features of it that he did
not like, but was satisfied to vote for |
it, with the assurance that it would be |
amended later if it did not prove salts
factory. Mr.. Gibson's talk was lis
tened to with attention and he was
warmly applauded. He said that the |
bin was the product of the Peoples
Power League, .of which W. S. U'Ren
is the head, but that it. was in line
with the progressive policies that had
been introduced into this. state by that
league, which were becoming more
popular with the people as time went
on, and he was satisfied that the pro-
posed measure was in line with that
policy.
s. w. Stark followed Mr.. Gibson.
He said that he was in favor of the in
tiatiye and referendum, but that he
lad to admit that it was being abused.
He said that when he received a copy
If the initiative petitions that was as
arge as a Sears q Roebuck catalog,
le did not have time to properly study
he matter contained therein, and he
lid not believe that very many voters
would do so. He viewed with alarm
many of the provisions in the bill abol-
shing the state senate, the giving of
he governor too much power and the
laking OF defeated candidates for gov
rnor eX-officio members of the legisla-
lre, with votes to the number of the
otes they received for the office at
ne general election. He said that it I
ave Portland absolute control of the ,
.gislature, on account of its large ,
representation, and the large number .
votes which would be cast in that i,
ty. If Portland wanted to put
trough any special legislation, it
ould only be necessary for them to
ut several candidates for governor in
le field and make them members of 7
ne legislature.
A. |. Mason spoke in favor of the
ILL., ana others expressed themselves
lsO in the affirmative.
Il. H. Hartwig said that he had not
ad time to study the billsor the argu-
rents for and against, but that from
hasty reading of .the same was in
lined to doubt the wisdom of the
leasure. He thought there were some
cry bad provisions in the bill and was
gainst it.
An adjournment was taken without
aking up any other measure, on ac- 1
cunt of the lateness of the hour, and {
hairman Davidson suggested that the |
MEETINGS be called at z 80 to give more
ime to discussions.