Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-02-23
Senate Fails
To Override
Olcott'sVeto
Lie Passed, Charges
and Counter Charges
Enliven Session Of
Tuesday Afternoon

Lies were passed, charges and
counter charges were hurled and
just MS promptly denied The gal
leries packed with sensation seek =
ing humanity added their quota to
the general confusion which pre-
vailed on the floor of the senate.
And when order had been restor-
ed and the casualties counted SEN
ate bill SO of the special session Of
1920-the justly Infamous straight
party ballot bill-was whitening in
the last throes Of its death agony
Seventeen senators - including
Norblad. who changed his vote up
on the demand of Senator Dennis
who insisted that he deliver as
promised had arranged them
selves in defense of the bill and
been counted as enemies of the
Oregon election system. But this
was three short of the two thirds
vote necessary to pass the bill over
the veto of Governor Olcott ahd
its puny efforts at recuperation
from the effects of the executive
veto administered shortly after ad-
ljournment of the special session
were unavailing.
Attention was first publicly Ill
rected toward this measure last
Saturday by Senator Joseph, who
wanted to know the whereabouts of.
the bill when informed by Senator
Moser that it was safe in the hands
of the judiciary committee Joseph
demanded that II be produced forth
with. Moser assured the senate
that the bill would be forthcoming
In due time. upon which Joseph in
sisted upon immediate delivery ofl
the measure declaring that Moserl
had delayed its appearing longl
enough already and charging that
the chairman of the Judiciary COM !
mittee had held the bill up for the
purpose of trading on 1t In eX-
change for support OF other meas
ures.
Moser refused to comply with the |
demands of Joseph and the senate |
upheld him in his refusal.
Joseph renewed his demands
again Monday with the same re-
suits.
Yesterday afternoon the hydra
headed monster dragged its insidu-
Gus form forth from its hiding
place in last feeble effort to un-
dermine the oregon primary sys-
tenn
Although 1t was reported out by
the senate judiciary committee that
committee did not see fit to stand
sponsor for its debut into polite
society and It carried no recon-
mendations either favorable or un-
favorable.
Senator Moser however, arose TO
befriend the measure which, no oe-
fought TO pass Notwithstanding the
veto OF the governor" This con-
however, Moser doubted
asserting that some of the senator's
who believed in the provisions of
the bin would not vote for it be-
cause they lacked the courage OF
their convictions.
The measure he insisted would
not deprive any person of the right
Of voting as they wished while at
the same time it would result in
the saving of thousands of dollars
In election expense through simpi-I
flying the ballot system.
Moser also denied that hn had
ever asked any one to vote for the
bill except upon their approval of
the principles contained therein.
Senator Eberhard, also a mem
ber OF the judiciary committee, 4
followed Moser in befriending the I
although he insisted that |
II he had been allowed to use his !
Judgment in the matter the bin \
would not have been brought out at /
This time but would have been per- q
mltted to sleep on undisturbed in /
he bosom of the COMMITTEES. There I
were 10 senators who would vote $
Tor the bill IL II could be passed, +
lberhard insisted, but he doubted I
{ II had that many friends under I
he present adverse circumstances, L
II was at this stage of the argu- FL
nent that Senator Joseph found an s
to voice his sentimentsl c