Morris tribune., 1913-02-14
DIRECT LEGISLATION.
Improved Bill Goes Thru House
with a Whoop.


''The steam roller did not slip a
cog. The bill came up as a special
order and after not to exceed three
hours deliberation it was passed.
There was some system to the way
this direct legislation measure has
been disposed of. Early in the session
several bills on the subject were in
trodueed. The Elections Committee
deliberately threw them all in the
waste basket, drafted, bill of their
own and reported it to the House for
passage. This bill is a great i'm
provement over the bill two years ago
which was copy Of the Oregon law.
The 'Oregon" bill two years ago
provided no distinction either in
petition PERCENTAGE or number of
votes. to pass common statutes and
constitutional amendments. The bill
proposed now would have all initiated
laws go to the Legislature on petit
tion of 8 per cent of the voters. If
it fails of passage in the Legis-
lature an additional 8 per cent may
submit it to popular vote and mai
ority voting will approve. Six per
cent is required for referendum petit
tions. Constitutional amendments re-
quire 10 per cent of the voters for
initiation and so per cent of all the
electors must vote on the proposition
and majority of the 60 will carry.
Several amendments were offered.
The first one by G. w. Brown pro-
yiding that petitions instead of being
circulated. should be lodged in speci-
6ed Offices and voters to go there and
sign. Tom Frankson. in opposing the
amendment charged that Brown was
opposed to direct legislation. 81
will not call the gentleman a liar, -
Ietorted Mr.. Brown "becsuse that
would be unparliamentary. but ] am
FOR the principle Of direct legisla-
tion. " Browns amendment was lost
I62 to so.
Other amendments, the debate on
which brought the crimson to the
mugs of Legislators were offered by
the two Dunns. r. G.. Dunn offered
an amendment providing that all direct
Legislation must be at the general
election day. Otherwise you might
have an election with every new
moon" said he. He also made the
assertion that each election costs the
state quarter million, which if true
would make these extra elections quite
a luxury. The amendment was lost.
Dunn, Fl. H., offered an amend.
ment increasing the number OF
"sponcers" and providing one fol
each congressional district. but lost.
In short all amendments were de.
feated except the ones offered by the
fireman OF the steam roller.
One of the greatest surprises of the
week and of the session so far, was
the passage of the county assessors
bill Friday when it came up on special
orders. When considered earlier in
the week on general orders it came
so near being defeated that it only
missed it. and it would not have seer
the light of day had it came to 8
vote. Certain it is that quite a few
members changed their view point or
this measure from Tuesday till Fri.
day. / think Teigen saved it from
defeat when it was up on general or
ders. He pied for time to consider
it and as he is the head of the Farm,
ers' Committee. many of the members
from the country needed him. AS fol
the success Of the bill, think Speak.
er Rines must have large share o1
the credit or the blame. He has
always favored the idea and his indu.
ence was undoubtedly felt on the
doubtful members.
| Bob Dunn, who was the spencer Of
the bill, did not have the support Of
his name-sake. the ex-speaker. While
Bob was valiantly chsmpioning the
passage of the bill. the tall form oi
the ex-speaker was quietly moving
among the enemies of it whispering
the encouragement, to 'tKill it now
kill it now. But the beauty of j
with the Dunns, whether they agree
or disagree, they never charge ont
another of packed opinions.
/ The bill has a good show of pass
| ing the Senate also.
| Bills favorably reported by com
lmittees are: Distance tariff by rail
road committee in Senate; the Bend
ixen 2 cent fare bill in the House
AS previously stated. to overccm'
the railroads objection to the bill o.
six years ago, of confscation, thi
bill applies where railroad earning
are $1,000 or more per mile. Thl