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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 11, 1905)
TILE HORNING OREGONIAN, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1905. PROPOSE HEFOH IN CONSTITUTION Number of Amendments Will Be Submitted 'at Next June-Election. - REVERT POWER TO PEOPLE Hlght of Referendum on SlngIo Items, Recall of Officials, and ;Xcv Powers to Gitics Are Sonic of Provisions." A nwoment to initiate a number of amendments to the Oregon constitution has bean started, and an organization is forming to boom them for the next June campaign, when they -will be submitted te the electors of the state. .The arifend ments will be initiated by petition of at toast S per cent of the number of voters -who east their ballots for Supreme Judge 1b the June eloctlon last year. The first amendment on the list would give the people power to call the refer endum on single items In an appropriation Mil; at present, the referendum can be called only on a bill as a whole. The name amendment provides that the elec tors f any town or county or electoral district in the state, for which the Leg islature passes an act, can demand the roforendum oti the act. The latter half of tMe amendment would give the people power to control salaries of county, dis trict and city officers, and would take away from, legislators their dictatorial powers over laws relating to their local ities. The Legislature is accustomed to pass local bills on recommendation of the lawmakers from the affected districts. TMs legislative courtesy has given large one-man power to legislators, over char ters and salaries of state and city officers. Feature of Economy. On the single-item part of the amend ment, the pamphlet says: The refereodum petition now filed against tke aporopritttin bill for the current expenses f Ue Inaane Asylum, Penitentiary. Reform. Deaf Mute and Blind Schools. University, .Agricultural Colloge and Normal Schools, prin dpMy because of objection to the appropri ation for so mnay normal schools, proves the need for this amendment. In this cae. ap prffpriatfOM for about $800,000, which are necesary and te which no one objects, are kM up for the election because they are Included in a Mil with ether appropriations f about $20U,OoO, to wbjch many people do bleot. TMs causes inconvenience and. the to of much money by the state in the pay ment of intereft. We have not provided for extending the vou power of the Governor to single items of appropriation bill, bcause it recms un necessary when the ,oters can protect them setvea as they can if thin amendment Is adopt ed, and also because we believe it is unwise to noreara the one-marf power in our Govern ment. The Imperative mandate or recall amendment would give the people of the state or of any electoral district power to discharge a delinquent officor. On peti tion of at least 25 per cent of the electors who voted In the election of the offlcir. he must resign, or if he refuses he can hold the place only by being re-elected at a special election, and other aspirants oan compete for the place. Discharge Officials at Will. Under the present law. a public officer cannot be discharged unless he has com mitted a crime, "and." says the pamphlet, "there Is not a farmer or a business man in the state who would hire a laborer on sjch terms. Every public officer should nold his position only while his serv ices are satisfactory to the people. Just as any other hired man holds his Job while he picasos his employer. It often happens that Sheriffs say they -cannot or will not enforce the law. Every year some Assessors say they cannot possibly make a fair assessment on taxable prop erty that will make the burden propor tionately as heavy for the millionaire and the great corporation as It Is for the small farmer and the owner of a small home. If one-fourth, of the voters could bring such officers face to face with a public discharge for Incompetency, the officers would do their work right, or wo should get men who could and would." It is not ten years elnce the Lccfelature of OrcRon refused t& organize for an entire ses sion. Such an event would have been im possible If the question at tesuc between the contending factions could have been forced before the people of any Icgiolative district for their Judgment at a special election for a new Representative or Senator. The good sense and spirit of fairness of the people may be Telled on to protect any officer who is doing- his duty from belne called to face a special election. But it will be exceedingly dangerons for any officer to ay that he is unable to enforce the law. or that It Is against his policy to do so. The law are the people's policy and the officer's only duty in to enforce them. If this amend ment is adopted, the official grafter can be discharged as soon as the people are morally certain of his guilt, and all "the 'Whitewash his fellow-graftex In and out of office4 can mak 'will not save him. Charter Power for Cities. The amendment giving cities and townB power to make anf amend their char tors, independently of the Legislature, subject only to the limitations of the constitution and the general laws. Is a copy of that on the same subject, ap proved by the Legislatures of 1901 and 1903: The usual method of making city charters in the past ha been, in this state, for a few men to agree on the charter they wanted for the city. Then It was introduced In the Legislative Assembly by one of their county members. It waa referred to a committee consisting of the members from his county, reported favorably, of course, and enacted by unanimous consent of the Legislature. Xo other member ever sees or cares anything about It. The only exception in Oregon to this method is the charter under which Portland la gov erned, and which seems to be the most sat isfactory the city ever had. This waa drafted by a committee of citizens and approved hy the people at an election, after which It waa enacted by the Legislature. But the action of the Legislature Is a needless formality. .Of what Interest are the local laws of Portland to farmer of Klamath County, or the char ter or ordinances of Lakevlew to the fisher men of the Columbia River? Thus amendment Is another step toward home rule In home af fairs. If it is enacted It will not only relieve the Legislature of a great deal of useless labor, but it will place the power to make the city law In the hands of the people who have to obey them. For Minority Representation. The proportional representation amend ment would permit the enactment of laws allowing" minority parties representation In law-making bodies. The argument for its adoption says: If a political party has two-fifths of the people's votes, It should elect two-fifths of the members of a Legislature of City Coun cil, if that body Is to be fairly representative of all the people. Even if the -people wished to make such a law, the Constitution now prevents them from doing -so. It Is -done In Japan, parts of the British Empire. Switzer adopted, our people can c the same when the majority is ready. As the constitution now stands, it is practically impossible to curtail the large emoluments of the State Printer. "11 this amendment is adopted, the state printing may b6 done by any plan which is satisfactory to the people, and changes can be made by statute law until the best method is discovered." The constitution now forbids the Legis lature to establish state institutions else where than at Salem, but the Legisla ture has failed to observe the constitu tion in this respect, and has set up in stitutions In various parts of the state, conspicuously normal schools. The amendment would allow such institutions only when ratified by the people. Under it a branch of the asylum or of any other state Institution could be established any where Jn the state, if the people should vote in its favor. Such questions cannot now be submitted to the- people in this way. - Simplify Convention Methods. The amendment relating to constitu tional conventions would simplify the method of proposing- constitutional amendments by the Legislature. Such amendments must now be approved by "two successive Legislatures and then be ratified by tho people. The new method would require approval of the amendment by only one Legislature. f-before it should be submitted to the people. It would provide further that any legislative assembly act, calling for a constitutional convention shall be ap proved by the Legislature before tho convention snail convene; This amend ment is proposed to restrain theLegl lature which might apportion delegates to the convention In a manner not in harmony with public sentiment. In the Legislature last "Winter a bill was under consideration for a convention giving the appointment of a large part of the delegates to the Supreme Court, and making a big appropriation for the convention. These two features of the bill raised a loud protest all over the state, and on their account the bill was defeated. A bill will be initiated for a lajvJ.o prohibit use of passes' and reduced-fare tickets by public officers and mem bers of their families. The bill pro poses to make it unlawful both for public offcers to receive -such favors and for transportation or telephone or telegraph or any franchise companies to offer them to such persons. And tho law Is to apply to salaried and unsalaried public officers alike. Whenever a salaried officer shall re ceive bis alary, he Is to receipt there for with the following statement: "Since taking my present office or position I have not, nor has any mem ber of my family, received or used any free or reduced-rate pass, ticket, trans portation or service from the owner or operator of any public-service bus iness or corporation nor any rates or service whatever, that are not equally grantod to every citizen." Unsalaried public officers are to file the same statement four times a year. All public utility corporations are to be required to file with the Secretary of State a complete list of persons to whom the privileges are extended. LETTER-CARRIERS -DEPART Delegates Behold Beauties of Colum bia Before Starting Home. The letter-carriers of the United States have finished their work in biennial con vention, and practically have concluded the period of their play. Yesterday was spent by the majority of those yet in the city in taking a trip up the Columbia River on the steamer Telephone to Cas cade Locks and return. The start was 4-made early in the morning, and the re- V BURN' OIL IX FEDERAL BUILDING Postmaster John W. Minto has let a contract to the Zimmerman. "Wells & Brown Company for the Installation of an oil-burning plant in the building, for heating purposes. The work will cost tho Gorernmtnt (2720 and is to be completed and ready for ute by Sep tember 15. A contract has aim been let to W. G. Powers, an electrical engineer, for putting in 120 stationary electric lights for the use and convenience of the mall clerks in their work of distribut ing and sorting the mail. This con tract will cost the Government $"23. The workmen are now at work on both contracts and it is expected that all will be completed by the first of the month and in use. turning party reached the city a short time after 6 o'clock In the evenlnsAll of the men who made the trip were' great ly pleased with the scenery along the river, and are gratified at the efforts of the entertainment committee In providing the trip. The most of those who came to the city on the Chicago special left last night over the Southern Pacific fdr their return home. The trip will be made by way of Los Angeles and the Southorn route. Those yet remaining in the city will leave this evening by the O. R. & X. and the Oregon Short Line for their Eastern homes. EXCURSION RATES EAST On September 16 and 17 the Canadian Pacific will sell round-trip tickets to East ern points at very low rates. Tickets will be good for stopovers, going and return ing, with final limit of SO days from date of sale. For full particulars call on or address P. R. Johnson. F. & P. A., Canadian Pa cific Ry., 12 Third street, Portland, Or." MILWAUKIE COUNTRY CLUB Eastern and Seattle races. Take Sell wood and Oregon City cars, First and Alder. Qyi-of-town patrons with a limited stay in the 'city will fiiicl that I have pVovided special facilities for their benefit. Uniform excellence of Joihes and tanoringjilways prevails. I have always made a special fea ture of this My ability to accommo date patrons who are in town for a few days only. 231 WAJBW6T0K 5TS PORTLAND. " efttrert. " A MAKER OF HENS CU0TMS The Meier Frank Store's Monday Store News r a Greatest Lace Bargains in Town 18-inch Allover Venise and 'Point de Gaze Laces and 45-inch figured nets, in white and cream; suitable for waists and gowns; values oq up to $4.50 yard, on sale for the very low price of, yard v i 45-inch Black Dress Netsplain Point d'Esprits and Chantillys; tf cq values up to $2.75 yard, on sale at this very low price, yard V J 7 Point Gaze and Irish Crochet Gaioons and Appliques, very beau- m jpq tiful styles; values up to $3.00 yard, on sale for, yard .O -f New round thread Valenciennes and Mechlin Edges and Insertions; cream and ecru ; 10-cent values on sale for the very low price of, yd OC Same as above, values 20c yard; on sale for this low price, yard 13 September Sale of Fine Portieres $2.75 Tapestry Portieres, floral patterns, fringed top and bottom; p 1 QO 45 inches wide, 3 yards long; all colorings; great value at, pair. . . P i -7 O Double-facecLTapestry Portieres, two-tone effects, heavy fringe top and bottom, 3 yards long, 50 inches wide, $4.50 values. . . ... . .?00 Mercerized Portieres, lighf and dark colorings,- floral designs, GLA, OA heavy fringe top and bottom, $6.75 values for this low-price ptr0 Mercerized and Tapestry- Portieres, two-tone and floral effects, Cf on 3 yards long, 50 inches wide, $7.50 values at the low price of pO0 7 Remnants of SilkolineCretonne, Swiss, Denim, Burlaps XJl-f Dm0 and Tapestries; ajl lengths on sale at xiall" 1 ICw 3A Thousands of New Suits -Length Coats, Jackets, Etons New Fall and Winter Strits keep coming in lots of 100 The cloak chief arrived . 1 home Friday, and with him came over 500 of the very prettiest Suits New York has produced this season Long ' coat stilts, jacket suits, etons and tight fitting suits in green, wine, purple, brown, navy, black, grays and invisible plaids Mannish mixtnres, serges, -tweeds, broadcloths and cheviots Skirts are in circular or pleated effects. The largest and most attractive suit showing in the city Prices range from $ 1 5.00 to $ 1 25.00 each Second Floor New 4-Length Coats Immense variety of hew 3-length coats in fancy tweeds, checks, plaids, broad cloths, coverts and kersey. in serai-fit- ting empire back, boxcOats and tight- fitting coats All the season's leading fashions and materials at prices ranging from $10 to $55 each No trouble to show yon 2d Floor 200 New Raincoats Wonderful Value at $12.50 Ea. Another great special sale of new Rain coats for Monday shoppers 200 of this season's latest and best garments at a remarkably low price A class of raincoat you are asked to pay $18 for at other stores can be bought here to day for $12.50 Full length, tans and oxfords, collarless, leg-o'-mutton sleeves? finished with turn-back cuffs Box-pleated back, belt and button trimmed Well made and finished throughout The greatest bargain of its kind ever offered Mail orders will be promptly and care fully filled $ 1 2.50 New Silk Waists $6-$ 18 Beautifulncw line of popular-priced Silk Waists for evening and street wear Plain and fancy styles in plaids, checks, stripes, white, light blue, pink, tan, and black Also lace waists with short or full length sleeves Prices from $6 to $18 Handsome new Lingerie Waists for dress and evening wear just received 2d Floor SEPTEMBER SALE KITCHEN GOODS BASEMENT No. 9 Nickel Teakettles $1.07 $1.00 3-pt. Nickel Teapots 79 $L2o 5-pt. Nickel Coffee Pot 99 $1.50 Pood Chopper, .No. 2 $1.22 Mrs. Potts Irons, $1.25 val. set 94i 16-in. Feather Duster, each..,. 32 12-in. Feather Duster, each.. .21 12-qt. Galvanized Pails, each... 19 No. 2, Galvanized Iron Tubs.,.. 60 No. 3 Galvanized Iron Tubs 72 J $330 Wringer, guaranteed.. S2.S0 $1.00 Willow Clothes Basket... 82 $1 JO Cop. Bottom Wash Boilen 87 No. 2 B. & H. Nickel Lamp, white dome shade, complete $1.47 Nickel Toothbrush Holder 12 Nickel Tumbler Holder 21d Cook Is Steel Knives, 10-in 73 Christy Bread Knives, set.... 40 SILVERWARE Rogers "1847" Berry Spoon... 94 Rogers "1S47" Butter-Knives 39 Rogers "1847" Sugar Shells.. 39 Rogers "1S47" Gravy Ladte S1.04 Forbes Silver Hair Receivers $1.05 Forbes Bon-Bon Dishes, each 51.43 Forbes S3rup Jugs, each.... $2.63 Forbes Butter Dishes, each $2.39 Forbes 4-pc Tea Sets, set... $9.95 $3 Cut Glass Jelly Dishes.. $2.39 Cat Glass Sugar & Creamer $8.42 $7.50 Nickel Coffee Machine $5.49 $7.50 Nickel Chafing Dishes $5.49 Brass and Gilt Candlesticks 82 HANDKERCHIEFS Women's plain hemstitched pure linen Handkerchiefs iu and -inch hems; the quality other stores ask you to Q pay 50c for; our-price, ea-C Women's fine hemstitched em broidered, all-lirien, Handker chiefs, splendid assortment of patterns; regular 20c 1 Au and 25c values, each tpC "Women's Swiss hemstitched and scalloped edge - embroidered Handkerchiefs, large variety of patterns; Tegular 35c and 40c values, today at the low 'i- price of, each.. 4i3fO New Blankets at Interesting Prices The Great Advance in the Cost of Wool Has Made No Difference in the Selling Prices 10- 4 Oregon gray, all-wool Blankets; extraordinary value at. the exceptionally low price of, pair $2.70 11- 4 extra heavy all-wool dark gray Blankets; great special value at the low price of, pair ?.. .$4.21 10- 4 all-wool mottfed Blankets, pair $3.85 11-4 -all-wool mottled Blankets, pair $4.67 11- 4 natural gray Blankets, extra value, pair, $3.50- Best values in the city. Third Floor. 10- 4 white wool Blankets, pink and blue borders; regular $5.00 values for the low price of, pair $4.27 11- 4 white wool Blankets, pink and blue borders; regular $6.00 values for the low pnice of, pair... $5.21 Extra large white wool Blankets, pink and blue borders; regular $7.00 values for, pair. $6.05 Silkoline covered Comforters, full size; best patterns and colorings, filled with lanate'd cotton; great values at $.25, $1.50r $2.00, $2.25 and $2.50 eacho- Third Floor. - Beautiful Showing of New Fall Millinery of bewildvrim: styles! Hats that are rjiiy lancinating Xich hats, deBcate hats Hats that are so marvel otrsly prodnced that they b.order on the ridiculous when viewing them Set them on the head properly and yon grow enthusiastic The coloringsand effects are superb We can't commence to tell you about the display There are hats for everyone The extent of the showing must be seen to be 'appreciated Most of the hats show a decided crown, the shades running to pea cock and. kingfisher blues, soft shades of gray. known as elephant gray, olive green, old rose, fruit reds, copper, mulberry and plum Gunboat Hats, Derby Hats, Pilgrim Fathers, College Widow, Kitty Barry Sailors, Fantana, Georgette Sailors, White Kid Polos, Etc. 500 New "Gage" Hats 250 New "Burgesser" Hats 300 New "Bendel" Hats ' 150 New "Lichtenstein" Hats Every new model produced by the above well-known makers. The nobbiest creations in the greatest assortment. Come in today and let us show you the grandest array of new up-to-date headgear ever seen in the city. The hats are here to be shown and no trouble to show you. Second Floor. 1000 new felt Roosevelt Hats, new Tourist Caps, new School Hats for misses and children; new. Novelty Hats and Caps for little children. Very cheap at the prices asked. Wash Qoods Bargains Worth Buying 1 7 zr 5000 yards of Galatea Cloth, plain colored and fancy patterns in great variety; extraordinary value .at this low-price, yard I OC Plain and Dotted Cotton Crepes,' large assortment of colors ; greatest 1 -1 value ever offered at this extraordinarily low price, yard C 36-inch Percales and Shirtingssplendid yAlue at this low price, yard.. .12 2500 yards of Silk Ginghams in Scotch plaids; very-beautiful color ings; best 50c grade on'saU-foifftluivery low price, yard L.. " ' 35c 35c and 40c Ribbons for 21c the Yard 5000 yards of 5-inch satin taffeta and all pure silk taffeta RibbonsTin all the leading shades light blue, cardinal, pink, Nile, reseda, brown, black, white, cream, navy and old rose. Best,35c and 40c values on sale y today at the extraordinarily low price of, yard IC Art Department Specials Second Floor Pillow Covers, stamped on linen for Berlin embroidery; best 65c values. . .49 Laundry Bags, made of art denims, in green, red and blue, 50a values for. 27 land &ad Belgium, and if thl- amendment Is