Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-01-22
JOeLane'S
Grandson
Is Senator
Both Houses in Joint SeSS-
ion Garry ont Mandate Of
the PeOple.-State Officials
All Present atNOOn Today

Only death can now prevent DR..
Harry Lane from becoming Oregon's
new United States senator. All lin
gering doubts were dispelled this
noon when, DR.. Lane participating,
the legislature in joint assemblage in
the House chamber, and with Gov
ernor West and all other state off
cials occupying places Of honor, COM
pleted the last of the offices and GER
emonies on the part of the state.
All that now remains is for the
Honorable Harry to present his Gre
dentials in the United States senate
on March 4 and be sworn in. Then
he will be entitled to get on the job
and slap President Wilson on the
back, and assist in dispensing the fat
political offices from a Democratic
standpoint in this fair state of ours.
And the new senator will discharge
his duties with fidelity to the inter-
ests Of the populace-every one of
us. He himself so stated in his earn
est, modest, kindly and witty speech
in acceptance Of the great honor con-
ferred on him.
ut is with a great deal of diffldence
and embarrassment that l appear be-
fore you today" said Senator-elect
Lane. He then went on to declare
that he was taking office in good faith
and that insofar as lay within his
ability and mental capacity, he would
do his best to live up to the high
office and do bis duty by the people.
He said that the popular will of the
voters Of Oregon as expressed at the
last election was, in his opinion, moth
ing in Difference or compliment to him
personally, but to his party, the DEM
ocratic or minority party of the state.
He then launched into advocacy of
direct election by the people of the
United States senator's.
"The present system Of electing
United States senators in Oregon is
and undesirable" he
said. 1T really doesn't express the
popular choice of the people. Here
/ am elected by minority vote of
the state. The condition is wrong
and should be different. We should
have a preferential system where the
candidate should receive
not less than so per cent of the votes
cast.
THE present method Is not only
but slow. Why, when | |
arrive in Washington and take office
will have been engaged in the sem
ltorlal campaign just about year.
1t is cruelty to animals.
rhe situation should by all means be
"The United States senate will
leyer again be what 1t has been in
he past 1t will be more respon-
i've body TO the people and closer in
ouch with them. If it does not, then
t will not last much longer"
Mr.. Lane then refcrerd humorously
0 his opponents at the late election,
md expressed his thanks to them
or taking off their coats and work
ng for him so hard. While no names
we're mentioned, he had in mind SEN
tor Bourne, Ben Selling and other
He then praised the
tate Of Oregon and It's people, and
losed with the declaration that he
would do his full duty "to every party
nd every citizen Of the state"
Loud applause was given the ad-
ress.
The senatorial ratification cere- /
lony began with the entrance of and
eating Of the Senate and state off
ials, the governor and other off
ials being escorted in by a special
President Malakry Of the
enate presided, The roll Of each
ouse was called, and then the law I
Oyernlng the election Of United I
tates senators was read. Then the
ouse and Senate journals were read,
howing the result Of tho ballot cast
y each body yesterday noon for SEN
tor.
This completed, President Malarky
that the legislature had j
ltlfled the popular choice of the peo-
10, and declared that DR.. Lane was
uly elected. A committee, consisting
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