Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-08-10
PoRTLAND's EXPERIENCE WITH
SHoRT-BALLoT GOVERNMENT

TO the Star Bulletin of the success of com
mission government in his city, says of the
recall:
As to the question of adopting your charter with
out the recall feature / would say that IL depends
much on local conditions Personally, believe in
the recall as a safeguard against possible situations
that might develop anywhere; it cannot be harmful
to the honest official provided 1t be SO framed as to
be fair TO ALL but should suggest that your recall
law, no matter when Incorporated be given great
and careful study to the end that 1t shall be con-
strued as to be only what 1t is intended to be-an
emergency measure for the protection of the people
against possible frauds in office
lie points out as evils to be guarded against
the following:
Allowing recall petitions to be filed long
after the signatures on them were secured; in
other words, holding the petitions as club
over the heads of officials.
Allowing signatures to petitions of those not
registered, making it almost impossible to
check fraudulent signing.
Allowing comparatively small number of
signatures to force recall election.
It is significant, however, that though Mayor
Albee frankly states that the recall plan has
been invoked against him by disgruntled poll
ficians and Others he does not believe the recall
itself is an evil provision. He does insist that
it should be SO surrounded by restrictions that
its use is possible only in times of real emer-
gency, when very large part of the voters are
reused to GUST thoroughly incompetent or
corrupt official.
OF the initiative and referendum he says that
in Portland measures presented by these meth
DDS are voted on only at regular elections Thus
the expense and annoyance of special elections
are avoided.
The Star Bulletin is not inclined to favor the
initiative and referendum here except as
emergency plans. Honolulu's voting popula-
tion is not as advanced as Portland's. Oregon
is admittedly the leader of all the states in So
called progressive governmental methods. The
Oregon voter is used to handling ballot con-
tanning many public measures calling for fay
orable or adverse vote In Honolulu ballot
loaded down with legislative propositions
would confuse the majority of voters and dis
tract attention from the men running for office.
The Star Bulletin shares the opinion of many
students of municipal government here in
thinking that what we need is more attention
paid to men-to their ability, character and un-
selhshness If good men are elected to the
city's legislative body, whether it be board
of supervisors or commission, they will care
for measures far better than can the voter at
the polls. Platforms will pledge them before
hand in favor of carrying out the big things
necessary, and the small things have no place
ia the initiative and referendum. Furthermore,
in Honolulu particularly it will be difficult to
get good men into the legislative positions if
the important measures must generally be
voted on by the people and perhaps beaten by
prejudice or partisan politics.
Mayor Albee touches the heart of the whole
matter in his closing paragraph. He says:
Commission government in Portland is working
very well. as I view it; and 1t is plan which
brings the people into closer touch with their
officials. OF course much depends upon the
structon of charter, but generally speaking it is
a big step in advance. The adoption of a new
form, however, will remedy all of the evils that
beset city; having your governmental FORM
your important work will be the selection of
honest. competent and fearless officials to admin
lister the same"
And that is obviously correct-so obviously
that sometimes it will be forgotten.