Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-02-24
GOVERNORS ABSENCE
WORRIES THE SOLONS
May Break Into Governors Of
flee and Leave the Bills
on His Table.
IS 0LC0TT THE GOVERNOR?
Attorney General Crawford Holds
Bills Can Be Left With OlcOtt as
Acting Governor.
IS 0LC0TT THE GOVERNOR?

The legislative situation was still
up in the air early this afternoon and
and Governor West, who is RESPONSE
BILE for that situation was still among
the missing, SO was his secretary
Ralph Watson. Minor clerks were in
charge Of the governors office.
1t was anticipated that the situation
woud be somewhat clarified when the
house and senate began their Monday
session at 2 o'clock this afternoon
But all forenoon the members of both
branches We're running around in cir
cles and trying to dope out the proper
course of procedure.
When the governors Office refused
to receive any more bills from either
branch Friday, following Vests disap-
pearance, the governor precipitated a
condition of affairs that has no paral-
lei in Oregon's history, it is claimed,
when 1t is taken into consideration
that the regular forty days session
provided for by the cnstitution is over
and the senate and house are remain
ing in session of their own free will
and with each member paying his own
expenses.
1t was decided at noon by the house
and senate leaders to take all bills
that have been passed and not yet
been placed in the governors hands to
the latter's office sometime this after
noon and leave them there. If the
governor is still absent, as well as his
secretary and if clerks refuse to re-
ceiVe them, the bills will be placed on
the governors desk. In the event that
the governors Office Is locked up at
that hour it is further planned to pry
open a window or force an entrance
otherwise.
The lawyers Of the house hold that
this is the proper procedure. Attorney
General Crawford, however, holds that
the constitution provides that when
ever the governor Is disabled or is alb
sent for any reason from his office
any length of time, his duties fall upon
the secretary of state.
1t is Mr.. Crawfords opinion that
while the constitution so provides It
would be still better for the leglsla-
ture to adopt a joint resolution with
a preamble Of whereases pertaining to
the governors absence and where
abouts unknown, to place all the bills
that have been passed, in the hands Of
Secretary Of State olcott. Further, his
opinion is that 0lcott could use the
veto power.
BY leaving the bills in the COVER
nor's office, Is 1t argued by organlza-
ton leaders, would automatically be-
come laws at the expiration OF five
days II the governor has not turned
up by that time.
Meantime the exact whereabouts Of
6he governor are unknown, nor has
any word been heard from him. He
was reported as being at his summer
cottage at Seaside yesterday.
Aso in the meantime there Is feel
ing OF unrest, wearinoss and disgust
on the part Of many members Of the
Legislature especially Of the house.
They want TO so home, and number
have threatened to do 80 If no definite
program Is mapped out for adjourn
ment by tonight A number have al.
ready packed up their personal effects
and are treading water They declare
they don't care how many bills the
governor yetos, arguing that It Is the
business Of the house and senate Ia
finish tho legislative business as soon
rs possible, deliver the bin to the gov
ernor's Office, and adjourn, leaving all
responsibility for fate Of bills on the
governor,
Not few Of these members, how
ever, rs wnll as other dggusted nom
hers, would bo willing have the leg
islaturo adjourn for FIVE days and then
return TO act on the vetoed bills, Still
others are opposed TO tho fyc-day ad-
journmcnt end want everything wound
up as soon as possible,
The organization leaders are wor.
ried and admit that possible the or
ganlzatlon can not bo held together If
some program Is not mapped out
quickly, They are in a bad dilemma,
innasmuch as they cannot find the
governor TO onter into compromise
program or agreement with him
One thing seems certain and that Ia