Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1912-03-22
WHO WILL PAY THE JANITOR?


The Observers good friend e. T.
Hamer, of Salem, whose communica-
tion appears in another column.
thinks he has evolved a scheme
which would result in improvement
of conditions in Oregon relative 10
voting on initiative and referendum
measures. He would have the news
papers print in full each measure
proposed, and in addition, he would
have series of meetings held in ev-
cry community for the full and COM
plete discussion of all subjects upon
which the people are asked to vote.
This plan appears all right at first
glance, but Mr.. Hamer unconsciously
exposes one of the most formidable
stumbling blocks in the way when he
says, in referring to the meetings,
who would hire the hall and pay the
janitor?"
We wonder if Mr. Hamer fully re-
alizes what he is asking when he
suggests that the newspapers devote
column each week to the publlca-
tion of the different measures propos-
ed at each election in this state?
newspapers space is its sock in |
trad" and the great ma. orisy If
them fiNent sny to spare. II the
newspapers, especially the weekly and
semi weekly publications, wer, to at
temp 10 Publish in full all measu. es
proposed, it would require rluch
more space than column a week
to accomplish ii. In fact. many of L
them would have to nll their columns
with II to the exclusion of everything
else. h
Then, again, suppose the newspaper {
did follow this practice, what assur- {
ance have we that the people would /
read IL? The law now provides that a
pamphlet containing all the meas /
ures TO be voted on shall be sent TO I
every voter in the state in plenty of t
tlme to permit him to read il. to-
gether with the arguments for and
against each proposed law, yet how k
many do IL? A few, it is true, but r,
the great majority pay no attention e
To II and either take somebony's "a
word as to their merit or ignore u
them altogether at the polls. The al
Observer questions the idea that more v,
would read them If printed in the ca
newspapers. I.
We agree with our correspondent W
In that the newspaper should be OF
forum for the discussion OF all outs- en-
uons Of public merit aud this news dl
paper stands ready at all times to lie
print any reasonable article of merit 70
which shall be signed by its author. ju
The whole problem resolves itself DO
10 this In order to vote intelligent wi
" upon any question the voter qu
should be somewhat familiar with Il.
How else shall he know whether L
$ OF benefit 10 him or to the reople Rc
Il the state? And how shall he IA r.e
niliarize himself with the PROPOSE Ia
ion unless he shall study it and think ism
ver it9 Right here is where We see nal
he weakest point In the Oregon svs. ,r,
I'm. IL depends upon the Willingness 10
each individual Vo.er To spend ts
ours In searching out Cor himself on,
] the advantages and disa1vantares -
each measure. IL presupposos that
e viii do IL. and on its face has the =
ppearance OF being Ideal But
'ry large number of men. through
norance or Incidence. faG to inves- =
gate. When their pamphlet comes S
ON the Secretary Of State. they prir
relessly toss it into n corner and sibl
rget an about IL until election day. does
ID when they see this or that meas expl
- staring them in the face on their
Hot they either pay no attention LAN
u. or vote yes" o. no" ia a hap
zard fashion and thus assist IN Fal
lcing on the law hooks OF the state
assures which very often they do T,
want and. when once they find vidiI
their true import they olamor oper
the referendum to anpul their cd i
ion. vear
fhe Observer believes In the Wis few
m of laws Tor the benefit OF All ed a
people, and the fewer OF them SAGE.
better. Discussion Is probably ouns
only way that the people gem expel
ny viii come % fully inform .lisbe,
nselVes upon any public ques- ed n
In the meorahie campaign of purs,
8. We had plenty of H. and q IS woui,
20 say that but few voters went der y
The polls In November Of that work
:. without knowing whether the exists
and unlimited coinage of silver forty
he leEal ratio of rs % 1" was Law
= tney wanted, or otherwise. But nish
phiianthropist shan Be found prices
Win hire the han and pay the ciai p
tor. We fear that We shah have OF wc
truEEle along ratherinr What Ths