Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-01-17
The House
HaSFight
over Veto
Hot Debate over Vote OfBilI
Giving Voters Second
Choice but the Governor Is
Sustained by vote Of56tOA

Governor West wore broad smile
this noon when the news was conveyed
to him that the house had upheld his
vetoes on two measures, in fact the
first two that body has considered. One
was the much-discussed second choice
bill, which, above all other vetoed
measures, the governor 10 credited
with desiring to have upheld.
While the governor smiled, he would
almost legitimately have been entitled
to giggle, and loudly, too, were It not
for the fact that the house seems sure
to pass some Of his other veto meas
ures. In fact, a number of members
declared in open debate today that,
while they had voted to sustain one or
the other Of the two vetoed bills, they
intended to place the AK on the gov
enor's neck on some of the other
measures.
The feature Of the debate on the
second choice bill was the discussion
as to the general status Of intelligence
among Oregon voters, which was mod
estly admitted by most all speakers as
extraordinary high and the short but
scintllating debate between Hagood,
Of Multnomah, and Mitchell, Of Baker.
Mr. Hagood, a Democratic member in
speaking against the bill, declared that
80 per cent of the people Of Washing
ton state were disgusted with their
second choice law and its workings.
"I would like to ask the gentleman
from Multnomah how he knows that
80 per cent of the people of Washing
ton feel that way?" inquired Mr.. Bak-
err.
"I will answer that question" re-
sponded Hagood by asking, "How do
you know that don't know"
Just like that he said It, and then
smiled the smile Of Jeffersonian sim
plicity and victory and of worthy
job well done
But" resumed Baker, "How did
you"
"T've answered you" interrupted the
Portland man, who then calmly re-
sumed his hammering Of the bill
The general debate and vote showed
that a majority Of the house is against
a cumbersome and complicated ballot,
and will favor any measure intended
70 simplify voting, providing It can be
done without endangering the Oregon
system Thlrty-slx votes were cast to
uphold the governors veto and q
against so doing
Olson, Of Mutnomah, led the fight
for the BILL aided by Speaker Near
thur, Homan of Harvey Parsons of
Lone, Beland Of Clatsop, Mitchell Of
Josephine Smith Of Tlllamook and
Schuebcl Of Clackamas were among
those who spoke against the bill
All the speakers In favor Of the
bill, however, were very careful to ex-
plain that they were not enemies Of
the Oregon system, and we're not at
lacking IT, but that they sincerely
thought that the bill would strengthen
the system, Their contention in the
main was that, under the present law,
where there was a multiplicity OF can
didates for an office, especially in the
cities, the candidate was not chosen
by a majority and therefore, an unfit
man could be nominated by a little
bunch Of voters working soldly be-
hind him, They argued that with a
best fitted man would be more liable
to be chosen, and be made the cand-
date OF the majority Of voters,
Opponents OF the bill argued that
not only would the bill make a furth-
er cumbersome, lengthy ana compll-
Gated ballot, which would result in the
ballots Of many voters being thrown
out but that It's workings would en-
able vicious clements aud profession
al politicians to manipulate elections.
II was pointed ont that such an Gle
mcnt could easily back two candidates,
ore for first choice and one for sec
ond choice, and stand better chance
VI winning,
IIagood, Of Mutnomah, asserted that
from personal investigation and talks
with reputable citizens and voters Of
Washington state, he could say that
the people Of that state were disgust
cd with their second choice law and
that since II had been effect they had
never had such poor officials, Ninety
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