East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1915-02-26
THE NOTORIOUS MOSER
BILL IS SIGNED BY
GOV. WITHYCONBE
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES OF
STATE PLACED UNDER
SPOILS SYSTEM.
Governor Issues Defense Of Measure
hut Makes No Reference TO the
Principal Point on which the Bill
Has Been Attacked-aFtIsan In
tcrests, He says.

SALEM, Ore, Feb. 26.-Goyernor
James withycombe yesterday signed
the now notorious Moser bill when
has been under much criticism be-
cause II places the big state educa-
tional institutions under the spOiis
81 stem. The governor issued a state
nient In defense of the bill but makes
no reference TO the principal point
on which the bill has been attacked.
The governors statement is as FOL
lows:
In signing senate bill No 312 I am
fully aware that II has been the sub
ject Of bitter. IL purely partisan, crit
icism. i am also aware that this
criticism, while so framed as TO
charge that the referendum rights ot
the people in this particular instance
are being abused, has in reality MOTH
ing to do with the welfare OF the
people or Of the public service, but
rather finds origin in selfish and
partisan interest.
1 most firmly believe now. as
always have, that the laws of the
people must be defended, safeguard
ed and upheld. The emergency
clause should not be used to defeat
the legitimate purposes OF the ref
erendum, but neither should the ref
erendum be abused as an agent for
Gripping a competent administration
OF those very laws.
In the particular case OF senate bll
No S12, the legislature has held
that an emergency exists owing to
the necessity of creating and main
tanning efficiency in the various state
Departments. 1 believe that the facts
justify such an Interpretation of ex-
ist.ng conditions. The public veal
actually Is affected, or may well be-
come affected, under the existing sys-
TEN, with many subordinate officials
exercising important functions OF
state government without real re-
sponsibility to the power which ap-
points them, and which power, In
turn. is held responsible by the peo-
pie for the satisfactory administra
ton Of the peoples laws.
Right OF Removal Needed.
Loyal cooperation and assistance,
as well as competency. economy and
industry, are essential to proper ad-
minlstratiOn, and where such Is lack
ing the appointive power. whether II
be a board or theexecutive. should
have the power of removal, and l
feel that such additional authority
will work for the very best interests
of the public and Will not be oppos-
ed except by those whose political
positions may be jeopardized, and by
their friends, who, under one pre-
tense and another. will attack its I'M
mediate operation.
There has been. 4 is needless 10
point out, general demand for a
stricter economy in state administra
tlcn This demand has grown, in No
small measure. from the extrava-
gance of multiplicity OF commits
sions and departments which have
sprung up. believe the operation of
this act will eliminate possibility Of
any repetition of the tactics of office
holders, whose pernicious lobbying
embarrassed the legislatures efforts
for economical consultations.
Lastly, the removal power can be
abused and oyer-used, but that IS
true OF every power In this partic-
ular instance l intend to exercise ev-