Evening journal., 1919-12-05
DAVIS CRiTICIZfS
STATE GOVERNMENT
Lawyer Tells Young Repub-
licans DelawareanS Do Not
Govern Themselves
OBJECT TO AMERICA
IN NATIONS LEAGUE


der TO secure for the citizens a more
thorough government by lhe people,
and more economy. were advocated by
Assistant City solicitor George \
DAVIS, i'm an address 90 The members
Of the Republican First Voters
League, at their meeting In the Young
Mems Republican Club last evening.
Mr.. Davis condemned the existing
system Of government as being as anti
Uuated as civilization itself and de-
clared that he knows OF no state in
which government by the people is
less than in Delaware. In support OF
hls ideas. ne pointed TO the progress
sivs state of experimentation ore
gon. where he lived FOR a number Of
years.
Although born In this state, Mr.
Davis went 10 Oregon a number OF
years ago. while a member Of The
Delaware bar. In that Stale, he served
on the bench, resgning at the out
break OF the war 90 enter the army.
he was rapidly promoted 10 a major
ship and went 90 France with his regi-
ment IN the early part OF 1918, serving
in the A. z. +. until after the signing
OF the armstice he was active Ia the
organization Of the Delaware posts OF
the American Legion.
Speaking OF the Mexican situation,
Mr. Davis remarked that The matter
has dragged out more than seven years
and yet our flag Is unsaluted 10y that
country. THE United States Is stu
dened and held In contempt by the
Mexican 'greaser.' he said. "and by a
great many who are not classed with
The Mexican 'greaser
: Mr.. Davis urged that The young Re
publicans use their efforts 30 obtain for
The state, county and city q better gov
ernment than existing at present. lie
wished 10 place no criticism against
the officials. however. as 10 is not their
fault that the government is such.
There Is vast difference between
the people Of this state and The people
OF Oregon. Mr.. Davis said, The western
people. he explained. are'more conser-
vative and yet more progressive. lie
said that Oregon has gained the name
Of the state Of Experimentation III
has been stuck sometimes Mr.. Davis
remarked. but 10 has learned much by
It's experience
To-day in Oregon, &he people come
nearer 10 governing themselves than In
any other state ] know Of, added the
sneaker. but the people Of pe aware
have the least say in the government
than IN any state ] know Of
In this state. he described, there are
two major parties and each party Is
split into two wings. AZ election time,
ain preiudices and influences arc sought
bv each wing against the other, he
said. until one Is down and out. ana
then the successful ones 90 into the
finals OF the election. u Is not the peo-
ple who are interested In this De re-
marked. but the ones seeking oilces
and the ones who VIII gain f:om the
successful candidates.
Mr.. Davis disapprOyed Of the bring
ing into the State and city elections
national issues that have nothing 70
do with municipal government Ihe
people. he said, line up in parties
where parties are not needed. BY way
OF illustration. ne stated that In oregon
one never knows the party 10 which a
candidate for an Office belongs; such
information is never given out. That
state" be said. "has divorced local is
sues and conditions from national
questions"
not govern" declared Mr.. Davis.
Nr Davis smoke Of the power OF the
mayor as little more than to receive
visitors 20 the city and appoint few
committees. after which pOwor IS out
OF his hands and remarked That city
Councils power Is almost as impotent
Speaking OF the government OF the CITY,
lconslstng OF the Street and Sewer De
lpariment. Water Department, PAX
Board and other boards he stated that
they are each "a commission in a
League Of commissions" liFenlng the
expression % "a nation within the
League Of nations
He spoke OF the sure-to-happen
,vraneling th7t occurs when one sec
ton OF The state seeks something new.
with the expressions from an sides that
that section Is trying 20 "hog things
with the inevitable result that the
section desiring advancement has its
plans frustrated The government In
this state. he said, is expensive with
out results.
In Wilmington. there are needed not
more than five elected officers 90 gov
ern. and then results would be bound
% come.
Remarklng that we are not all right
from a government standpoint. Mr..
Davis referred % the dirty streets, and
other faults. setting fo-th that the
money OF the various bodies "a spent.
without the needed results. The money
Is not grated. he said, but 20 goes by
bad management the result OF a sys-
ten as antiquated as civilization II
q self
Mr.. Davis. speaking Of lack OF. econ
omy in the State, referred 10 the lower
counties, where there are the same
number Of county offices as in this
; county. with hardly enough business to
keep them busy. Tie compared this
condition with that Of a county Of
/, a population Of $4,000 In Oregon, In
which the government consists OF a
, county clerk, three county commission
ers, auditor, and county engineer,
elected by the people.
In speaking Of the dissension that
always exists at the Legislature, Mr..
Davis advocated limited initiative and
referendum as a means to secure the
passage Of bills wanted by the people
. for the benefit Of the state, which bills
often are killed In committee meetings
under present conditions. and to sup
] press harmful bills that are passed. The
people should take some measure TO
I, secure this. he urged.
Mr.. Davis told his audience 70 "look
!. to the men who were In the service 10
10 bring about many changes"
. Speaking OF the coal strike, Mr.. Davis
cofd that fho coq1 onprafOrS should no