Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-03-16

million dollars annually.
Am fourth in rank on the committee
on commerce, before which committee
all river and harbor appropriations
must come.
Am on the committee on appropria-
tions, considered the most powerful
committee in the senate, and l am the
first Oregon senator to become a
member of this committee.
Am member Of the committee on
public buildings and grounds, before
which committee all public building
appropriations must come.
Am second in rank on committee
on fisheries.
A member Of the committees on
railroads, transportation routes TO The
sesboard, and OIL woman suffrage.
Largely through my advantageous
committee appointments, have been
instrumental along with other mem-
bers OF the Oregon delegation, in se-
curing for Oregon the largest qppro.
pr!ations she has ever had. Limited
space prevents specific enumeration
OF appropriations that | have been
solely instrumental in securing. but
because the papers and individuals
have failed to give me credit for the
Willamette Locks appropriation, de-
sire TO state that alone am entitled
to all credit as far as federal action
Is concerned in this appropriation
meaning a saving to the Willamette
valley of five hundred thousand dol
lars per annum in freight rates when
the project is completed. This how
ever, deem Of minor importance, as
would consider my service a failure
even though | secured large local ap-
propriations, II did so at the sacrl-
flee Of the principles upon which |
was elected. To my mind, principles
are far more important than the pork
barrel.
Believing that successful and per-
manent government must rest pri-
marily on recognition of the rights OF
man and the absolute sovereignty OF
the people, and that upon these prin-
ciples is built the superstructure OF
our republic and that their mainten-
ance and perpetuation measure the
life Of the republic, and realizing that
the Oregon laws constitute the best
system of popular government In the
world, | delivered In the United States
senate on May 5, 1910, an extended
address describing and discussing the
Oregon system and advocating its
adoption in other states. have re-
ceived requests for over six million
copies Of that speech. BY speeches.
the printing Of which. I alone have
paid for and magazine articles dur
Ing the past two years, I feel sure I
have reached over ten million people,
explaining the benefits of 0regons
demonstration Of popular government,
thus, In my opinion, better advertising
Oregon through her laws than all the
railroads and commercial organiza-
tlons of the state combined, for a be-
lleve her laws are a greater asset than
even her marvellous undeveloped ma
tural resources.
I have delivered many public ad-
dresses, furnished information and
material for the use Of other speakers
and lecturers on popular government
with the result that Oregon is today
the most talked-of state in the union
and recognized to have the best sys-
tenn Of popular government in the
world, her laws being copied by other
states and advocated in other nations
Because of my advocacy of popular
government laws in all states, I am
made the subject OF attack by reac-
tionary influences and my defeat for
reelection would be heralded as O
great victory by the opponents of pop
ular government and asserted as a
demonstration that the people of Ore.
gon were incapable Of recognizing and
appreclatlng good service.
worked for and spoke for the adop-
tion OF the net earnings tax on cor
porations now providing nearly thirty
millions Of revenue annually, but what
to my mind Ia far more important IL
that the publicity feature of this law
gives the government the opportunity
not previously enjoyed OF ascertaininR
exactly what every corporation is do
ing, thus insuring better observance
OF laws.
Having seen the manner in which
the president was able to dictate the
nomination Of his successor, by the
control OF southern delegates through
the influence OF federal patronage,
originated the idea Of a presidential
primary, and In 1910 caused a bill fol
that purpose 70 be proposed and sub.
mltted under the initiative 10 the peo.
pie OF Oregon. donated q thousand
dollars to cover the expense incident
to the circulation OF petitions and oil
the preliminary argument, and paid
about 5000 for the printing and circu.
latlon Of my argument In favor Of ltt
adoption (because the leading papers
OF the state opposed the BIN. The
people adopted this law. But for my
idea, the bill would certainly not have
been initiated when II was, aud buI
for my efforts and peounlary contrl
buttons, would not have been adopted
by the people Of Oregon. Aside from
the constitution OF the United States
and the initiative and referendum.
deem this the most important measure
ever enacted In this country. Fiv,
other states have followed the action
OF Oregon, adopting the same prln'
clple, and the governor OF Michigan
has called the legislature together FOL
the purpose OF adopting a similar law
believe that Inside Of ten years every
state In the union win adopt this prin.
ciple, and thereby crush OF the pos
slbillty Of any president renomlnatinl
himself or selecting his successor
through misuse Of federal patronage
All the republican presidential candi
dates, except President Taft, have In.
doraed this law, as has also Woodrow