University of Oregon monthly., April 01, 1908, Image 30

U n iv er sity
of
«
O reg o n M o n t h l y
E D IT O R IA L
E D IT O R -IN -C H IE F
B U S IN E S S M A N A G E R ,
M IR IA M VAN W A T B R S ’ÖS
M B R W IS RA NK IN . .’10
A S S IS T A N T B U S I N E S S M A N A G E R ,
W I L L I A M M . C A K B , ’1 0
A S S O C IA T E A N D A S S I S T A N T E D IT O R S
L O U IS E BRY A N T ’OS
M A R Y S C O T T ’08*
RU'TH HANSjQN, ’1/0"
J E N N IE L Ä z E £ ,/Ä 0
W IL L IA M D IL L ’Ö& '
JE S S E BOND ’09
E A R L K IL P A T R IC K , ’09
T H O M A S B U R K E , ’l l .
T h e U n iv e r sit y o e O r eg o n M o n t h l y is p u b lish e d m o fith ly d u rin g th e college y e a r
b y th e A sso ciated S tu d e n ts o f th e U n iv e rsity o f O regon. ' S u b s c rip tio n $1 p e r y e a r; 5 0 c en ts
p e r te rm ; p n y ^ b le in a d v an c e . ’ Single-copies, 15 cen ts. F o r sa le a t th e B ook S to re s. A d­
d re ss a ll business c o m m u n ic a tio n s to M erw in R a n k in .
T h e M o n t h l y so lic its stories,, sk etch es a n d v erse fro m th e s tu d e n t, b o d y a n d A lum ni.
[E n te re d 4 t th e p o sto ffice a t E ugene, O reg o n , a s seco n d cla ss m a tte r .]
The Boomerang of Democracy,
Recently,-à, speaker in op-r .Assembly .spoke of the Referendum
as “that, boomerang of democracy.” It was a,tellin g phrase, glit­
tering with all the lu s tr^ pi the' half-truth. M any people who, in
their analysis of a problem;, npver get/beyond its immediate aspects,
would call it a whole truth. But as a m atter of fact, this phrase
camnot be so accepted. The Referendum, as- such, is« by no- means
the “boomerang of democracy.” -No., one of rational- mind denies
th at the misguided individuals who -attempt to use the keenest
Weapon of democr'acÿMP destroy the State University, which is the
nursèty ground"of'democracy, are not only foolish, but .self-destruc­
tive: These''individuals disgrace the weapon they usé.,.'. Bùt the
weapon itself is one O’f the few safeguards remaining to our democ­
racy. The concentration of* powers of - government in the, hands
of the few,/even though they constitutè/pur state legislatures, is as
dangerous for -thé? social health of the 'people as is the concentration
of- wealth bÿ '.individuals. The' Referendum brings legislation with­
in direct controlled- the people. It, is an educative/force. There
may be immediate- mistakes,- but ' in the end, individuals will be
’com pelled'to acquaint themselvps'-with social facts. By no means
let us call tbeÿSeferendum the ’--“boomerang of democracy.” I t is
th é 'one bright-spot in t h e ‘sbmewhat dismal condition^ of s our dem­
ocracy/ > '
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