Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1914-07-07
MEASURES ON BALLOT
PROHIBITION AND ABOLISH
MENT OF SENATE ON LIST.
Twenty Nine Amendments to Go Upon
the Ballot at the November
Election-List of Filings.

peultlOnS on Cne last DAY Tor ming
them. A number of the most import
ant measures proposed will not ap-
pear ON the ballot. Secretary Of State
Olcott will have the petitions checked
at once for irregularities, but it is be-
lieved that all filed are within the law.
Eleven of the general measures were
referred by the last legislature. In
addition to the general measures there
are three local ones. There were sew
en- at the last general election. Anoth-
er important amendment abolishes the
State Senate 1t was initiated by the
officers of the Oregon State Grange,
Oregon State Federation Of Labor,
Peoples Power League, Farmers I'm
ion, Farmers Society of Equity and
Proportional Representation Bureau.
An amendment for proportional rep
resentation, initiated by the same Or
ganizations as the one to abolish the
State Senate, provides that every vot-
er may vote for any one aspirant for
representative in the Legislative As
sembly and no more.
Election of 60 Provided. =.
The voter may write or stick on the
ballot the name Of the person he votes
for. The 60 aspirants who receive the
greatest number of votes throughout
the state shall be declared elected.
Among the measures for which COM
pleted petitions were not filed and
which, consequently, will not be voted
upon, was one empowering the Gov
ernor to remove from office District
Attorneys, Sheriffs and Constables,
and appoint their successors, propos-
ed by Governor West. An amend
ment proposed by C. S. Jackson, of
Portland, which made change in land
condemnation, will not go on the bal
lot. Another amendment by Mr..
Jackson, providing for the taxation Of
all land that is not public property,
also will not appear on the ballot.
Jonathan Bourne, Jr., ex-United
States Senator, who advertised widely
a measure proposed by him prohibit
ing the payment of circulators of pc
titions, failed to file petition of the
bill. A petition was not filed for an
amendment, proposed by A. M. Craw-
ford, empowering the Governor to
veto certain sections in legislative
bills.
Completed petitions were filed for
measures designed to put an end to
single tax agitation, and restore in
part the assembly. They were initi-
ated by David M. Dunno, Of Portland
The first measure provides that the
Legislative Assembly or the people
shall pass law for uniform and equal
rates of assessment and taxation Of
real and personal property within the
state, excepting municipal, education
al, literary, ETC., and a nominal ex-
emption of not more than 5000.
1t is provided in the measure that
it cannot be repealed unless by two
thirds vote of the electorate.
Convention Plan Provided.
In the amendment relating to the
assembly provision is made that pre-
cinct elections shall be held for Sc
lection of delegates to convention or
meeting for recommending candidates
for office. The law, however, says
that it shall not be construed to affect
direct nominations made by petition
under existing laws.
Other measures for which completed
petitions were filed are as follows:
Graduated sur-tax amendment; in
itiated by H. d. Wagnon and Others,
provides for a graduated tax on land
and other resources which are held
in private hands.
Amendment to abolish death penal
ty: initiated by Paul Turner
Amendment to establish department
of industries and public works; initi-
ated by the Socialist party of Ore
gon, provides for the creation of in
dustries to give employment to the
unemployed and for tax on the es-
tates of deceased persons to maintain
them.
Bill consolidating the Office of Cor
poration Commissioner with that of
State Insurance Commissioner; initi-
ated by Ernest Kroner and others.
Amendment to equalize the terms OF
county officers; initiated by R. P. Ras-
mussen.
Bill reducing the salaries of the
officers of Hood River county; initi-
ated by Park Grange, No. SOL.
Bill to provide for commission to
draft tax code; initiated by the
Non-Partisan League.
Bill to regulate the practice of den
tistry and to abolish the State Dental
Examining Board, initiated by John
7. Cochran.
Adjustment of Boards Is Plan.
Bill to abolish State Desert Land
Board and transfer its powers ana
duties to the State Water Board, and
the office of Superintendent Of Water
Division. and to assign their powers
and duties to a state water commis-
sioner. who shall be appointed by the
State Land Board; to abolish the Of
fee of State Engineer. and to assign
his duties to an engineer to be APP
pointed by the State Land Board, and
to repeal annual appropriations. inlti-
ated by W. p. George, and indorsed
bv Governor West.