Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937, August 07, 1912, Page 10, Image 10

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    TWR MOKXTNG OREGOMAN, IVEDNESDAT, AUGUST gT6T l
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POBTLAND, ORZ0O2T.
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Pally, without Sunday, one year.
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gaily, without Sunday, threa montha...
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Weekly, ono year M
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IB I CARBIER.
Dally, Sunday Included, one year.
Dally. Sunday Included, ono n-",.V or-
Ikw to Remit Send Postotflcej m " "
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tooal bank. Stamps, coin or ourrencyare
at the ender's run. Olve poetofflce aaoreee
IB full, lncludlns oounty and state.
Poetace Katoa 10 to le PMaa. 1 "
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40 to o pases, cents. Foreign
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Ban Franclaco Otflee B. J. BlawsU
142 Market street. a
Kuropema Oltloe No. 3 Resent street.
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rOBTLAN'D. WEDNESDAY. AUG. t.
KFORMI 0 THE LBGISIATCKK.
For the benefit of those who pain
fully peruse the communication from
Mr. C. W. Bar.ee. published today. It
ought to be stated that Mr. Barzee Is
discussing Mr. ITRen's mat
constitutionthat wonderful refold
which, by means of nicely
quantitative relations and complicated
calculations In proportion. Is to dis
pose of the evils of the existing legis
lative system. That fact is clear to
mb, though it might not be to tne
casual reader of the dally newspapers.
But further than that, we are in some
doubt- Mr. Barxee's reasoning Is in
tricate. It winds and twists from Sa
lem. Or. to Washington. D. C. One
may well be puzzled at his urst
broadside.
The proposed amendment would
abolish the State Senate. Mr. Barxee
Is a socialist and socialists would abol
ish the National Senate. Mr. Barzee
fceginB by seizing an argument against
maintaining the upper house of Con
gress, and he applies it ruthlessly in
support of the Oregon amendment
Special interests, he implies, have
gained control of the Senate at Wash
ington because the members of that
body are not elected directly by the
people. Therefore the State Senate
should be abolished. This remarkable
logic is weakened by the fact that the
members of the State Senate are now
elected and always have been elected
In the same manner that members of
th lower house are chosen. Choice
of each is now protected by the
direct primary. Each is subject
to the recall. Our election machinery
Is now warranted by Mr. LTRen to op
erate only for the common people.
The special Interests haven't a chance
to run it. We can only conclude that
Mr. Barzee. walking in his customary
fog of theory, has become lost.
There Is no good reason for taking
up Mr. Barzee's questions and argu
ments in chronological order. Most
of them can be answered with the
statement that both his letter and the
amendment are founded on a false
theory. It is asserted by the support
ers of the amendment that each legis
lator elected under Its provisions
would be the proxy in the Legislature
of a definite constituency and would
carry out that constituency's will. Tet
we are to limit each candidate to a
twelve-word platform. He may get
his votes from any portion of the
state, but each voter may vote for
only one candidate. If there are 100,
000 votes cast in the election, the sixty
members are to poll that many votes
on the various measures considered.
The legislator who has received one
tenth, one-twentieth, one-fiftieth of
the total vote is to poll on each meas
ure 10,000, 6000 or 2000 votes, the
number depending on his strength at
the polls. The result must be that
the legislator would represent only
numbers except, perhaps, as to the
views he expressed in his twelve-word
platform, though he might expend the
money necessary to buy space In the
state's campaign pamphlet and extend
his pledges. But he Is to be elected
for- four years. The sessions of the
Legislature are to be held annually.
Hundreds of bills would be presented
at each session on which hla constitu
ents would not have been Informed as
to his opinion. We hold no political
conventions. There would be no
party platform to which he would owe
allegiance. He could not ascertain
the views of the voters who elected
him. If he could, he would not find
them uniform. He would not repre
sent any particular section of the state.
He would not be bound by the opin
ions of his home people. He would be
the spokesman in the Legislature of
widely scattered men whose Identity
he would not know and who might
hold as many different ideas on new
legislation as there were numbers in
the group.
Tet If his "constituents" happened
to number one-tenth of the state vote,
he would have the voting power of six
legislators elected under the present
method. The power would be his to
do with as he liked. He might happen
to please his shadowy constituents and
still be recalled by men who did not
vote for him. The proxifled legisla
tor In practice would therefore keep
his ear to the ground to avoid recall
or to make himself politically popu
lar. The minority would be represent
ed only in theory. Consequently there
Is no cause for discussing Mr. Barzee's
question as to The Oregonlan's belief
In minority rights.
The Inspiration for presenting this
amendment was the tendency of its
promoters to copy after somebody or
something. A good many of our re
formers are atavistic. They experi
ence a primeval tendency to ape oth
ers who are doing something out of
the ordinary. This they call progres
slveness. The framers of this amend
ment have employed the essentials of
a scheme of election practiced in some
Eurogean countries where government
Is by groups. Here, where govern
ment has been by parties and groups
are unknown. It would destroy what
"little we have left of party govern
ment and bring about a rule by
Individuals who would be uncontrolled
and have no definite responsibility.
The scheme would overthrow all the
good, all the checks and balances of
the present system, and correct none
of Its evils.
Answering Mr. Barzee, The Orego
nlan will say that It has condemned
some of the vetoes entered by the
Governor. It has done more than
that. It has condemned some of the
acts of the Legislatures. It does not
concede that mistakes made by
the chief executive call for abo
lition of the veto power, .any more
than errors by the Legislature call for
abrogation of the law-making power.
Answering another question, The
Oregonian asserts that ninety legis
lators drawing ft per day for sixty
day biennially would receive less
money than sixty members drawing $3
per day for sixty days annually. The
arithmetical problem is too simple to
be disputed. Nor would annual ses
sions give us better quality in the per
sonnel of the Legislature. More
likely the reverse would occur. The
kind of men the Legislature needs will
not bind themselves to abandon busi
ness, profession or trade for two
months each year for four years for a
per diem of $3. Moreover, the need
for legislation la not so great that an
nual sessions are required.
In brief the amendment is not alone
the most radical measure presented
this year. It Is complicated, undesir
able, visionary. Impracticable, and it
presents no important change that is
for the good of the people.
PRECEPT AND PRACTICE.
Compare the Roosevelt precept with
the Roosevelt practice. In his con
fession of faith the Colonel said:
Tho nomination of Mr. Taft at Chicago
was a fraud upon tho rank and file of the
Republican party: It waa obtained only
by defrauding tha rank and file of the
party of their riant to axpreaa their choice.
In the Southern states the negroes
compose a large proportion of the
rank and file of the nascent Progres
sive party. The edict has gone out
from Oyster Bay that white men be
put at the helm of his party in those
states. In compliance with this order
negroes were excluded from the con
ventions and after they had held sep
arate conventions, the steam roller
was ruthlessly run over the delegates
they elected. That Is the Roosevelt
practice, which hardly agrees with the
Roosevelt precept.
That the negro is not slow to resent
this departure of the new party from
its professions In the very moment of
Its birth is apparent from the action
of the Colored Men's National Pro
gressive Association. Roosevelt may
succeed In suppressing the negro vote
of the South, as the Democratic party
has done for decades, and he may
wean away a certain proportion of the
Southern whites from their old politi
cal allegiance, but he has already
alienated the Northern negroes. His
treatment of tha blacks will also drive
away from him thousands of Northern
white men, who cannot fail to resent
his desertion of the principles of the
great emancipator, whom he Is so
fond of quoting.
WOJtEN rV HEROIC BOLES. '
We are used to associating woman
with the milder and subtler things of
life. She has taken her place In the
civilized world as complement and
ministering angel to that creature of
supposed sterner stuff, man. Conven
tion has assigned her a place at the
cradle or In the drawing-room or
among the less exacting vocations.
Yet unfathomable woman rises
every now and again to show her
adaptability to life's most vigorous
roles. History continually records her
appearance where only the highest or
der of courage may be looked for. She
has led great armies into battle, even
as she has screamed or gone Into hys
terics at sight of a mouse.
Coddled in the comforts of city life,
she usually Is noted as going into col
lapse when anything trying on the
nerves occurs. Now and then she con
tradicts this reputation by killing a
burglar or smashing a masher. Put
Into the vigorous life of the frontier,
though, her courage quickly adapts
itself to the harsh requirements. We
have In. mind the case of Mrs. Decker,
wife of a Snake River rancher, whose
exploit, as Just recounted in the dis
patches, is merely characteristic of
the woman placed where self-reliance
and a high order of courage are
demanded.
William Morgan, gunflghter and
all-around bad man, walked in on her,
covered her with the customary six-
shooter, and demanded his breakfast.
Instead of developing hysterics or suf
fering a nervous collapse, she coolly
noted the bad man's advantage,
cooked him a breakfast, served it, and
with nice calculations waited until he.
was lost in greedy enjoyment of a
long-delayed meal. With a bad man's
contempt for femininity, Morgan
doubtless felt himself entirely safe un
til he was requested to elevate his
digits, - the request being emphasized
by a gleaming little gun backed by a
cool, collected and very determined
woman. The lady then exhibited an
admirable discretion in such matters
by applying the famous "hog tie" to
the bad man, after which she tele
phoned for the Sheriff.
While the record doesn't state. It is
probable that she proceeded thereafter
to wash the dishes, scrub the floor.
change the children's clothes, put din
ner on to cook and, since It was Mon
day, finish the week's washing.
POPULAR
GOVERNMENT
ARMY.
FOR TIDE
Why not Introduce the principles of
popular government into our military
establishment? The opportunity is
now at hand and by siding with the
five Oregon militia, officers who mu
tinied at field maneuvers the basis
can be laid for an evolution of tactics
such as will give the humble man In
the ranks more to say.
Having got Into trouble by refusing
to obey the orders of General Maui,
the staunch and stubborn quintet Is
now finding fault with a second order
of the Oregon military staff mustering
their battalion out of the service. They
insist upon a public hearing. The
main, contention put forth by them is
that the order they disobeyed waa
cruel and unjust.
Here Is a splendid opportunity for
the investigating committee. The
opening wedge Is at hand for a com
plete readjustment of military laws
and practices. The way can be paved
for a broader humanity to the men
who carry the guns. The present prac
tice of arbitrarily ordering the soldier
to do things that may not harmonize
with his esthetlo nature can be
undermined.
By all means we should stand by
the mutinous quintet in their conten
tion. Then their names will go down
in history for having overthrown the
ancient and obsolete idea that dis
cipline Is necessary to maintenance of
an effective army. What a splendid
spirit, of untrammeled independence
might be built up by elimination of
discipline and substitution of a mili
tary Initiative and referendum to
which might well be added a recall of
officers.
It will entail a complete revision of
the manual of arms and all other reg
ulation books, but think of the Im
provement that can be effected. The
change might start with the manual
of arms. When the company com
mander, wishing to have his company
shift their pieces from the ground to
their shoulders, stated his desires In
that direction, he could do away with
the harsh command, "Right shoulder
arms" as now In use. Instead, he
could be required to call forward the
first sergeant, whose designation
might be changed to resolutions-sergeant,
and have that non-com draw
up a formal resolution. Then put the
order to the test of popular vote.
The sarrie principle could be carried
on through the firing manual, the
manual of guard duty, field service
regulations and embodied in the text
books on security and information.
When. In time of actual warfare,
the commanding general decides that
the activities of the enemy should be
met with an offensive movement, he
could be required to put the matter to
a vote of all the troops participating.
The bright minds In the ranks would
be able to determine promptly
whether or not the General's orders
were well-timed and prudent. If they
concurred with him, and had not been
captured during the period of debate,
t,he advance could be conducted at the
discretion of the majority. If they did
not concur and the General were In
clined to disagree with them, then
they could exercise the military recall,
reduce him to the ranks and elect the
company cook to command of the
brigade, division, corps or army.
Obviously the present agitation
about unfair marching orders teems
with possibilities for setting In motion
the wheels of military evolution.
PARTNERS WITH VICE.
Ex-Mayor Northey, of Huntington,
is not hurt in the least. It appears, by
the summary demand of Governor
West that he resign his official posi
tion and his place as cashier of a
Huntington bank as well, for the pub
lic good. But he gracefully remarks
that the Governor is a dandy, and gets
out. From which It is evident that
the ox-Mayor and ex-cashler la a
philosopher as well as an associate
officially of grafters, macquereaux,
gamblers and the riffraff and off
scourings of . a wide-open frontier
town. We draw this interesting con
clusion from Northey's own remarks
and from the record as furnished by
the Governor.
There has been a gross defiance of
decency and law at Huntington for
many months. The officials have
done nothing to protect the public and
it is evident that they have actively
countenanced gambling, prostitution
and all sorts of vice, and have not been
vigilant In the prosecution of other
crimes growing out of these shocking
conditions. The plea is made that it
Is a railroad town and these things
cannot be prevented.
Then Heaven help the town and the
railroad men. The facts are they
always are in such cases that the sa
loons and gamblers and the scarlet
women were in a partnership of law
less effort to get the money away from
the railroad employes and any others;
and the conspiracy extended to the
business community, or a part of It.
The money was "circulated" and
everybody got his little bit. Shame on
such rotten business.
When a mayor or town marshal or
a sheriff tolerates the Infamous col
lusion between whisky, gambling and
prostitution, and decent people are
helpless. Governor West Is right In
taking a hand. If he cannot suppress
chronic disorder or persistent and no
torious vice, except 'by calling out the
National Guard, let him call out the
National Guard.
TUB NEW CONFESSION" OF FAITH.
Colonel Roosevelt's confession of
faith begins with an argument that
both the old parties are under the
domination of the bosses, that neither
offers, hope of salvation, and that in
the Progressive party alone lies deliv
erance. He proceeds to reassert the
right of the people to rule and to
commend the Presidential primary,
direct election of Senators, the short
ballot and the Initiative, referendum
and recall as the means of rendering
that right secure. Incidentally he
places the blame for boss rule on the
people themselves by saying:
We havo permitted the growing; up of a
breed of politicians who twist so-called rep
resentative Institutions Into a means of
thwarting Instead of expressing tho Judg
ment of tho people.
Then he tells once more how he was
"defrauded" of the Republican nomi
nation and asserts that the action of
the Republican convention "does not
bind a single honest member of the
party."
Ho proceeds to contend for popular
vote on the confirmation or reversal
of judicial decisions dealing with con
stitutional questions, on the ground
that "the people should have power to
deal with the effect of the acts of all
their governmental agencies," courts
as well as executive and Legislature:
that "the people must be the ultimate
makers of their own constitution," and
where their agents differ, must decide
between them.
He next takes up what he considers
needed legislation in the cause of Jus
tice to the wage-worker. He holds
that "the public has a right to com
plete knowledge of the facts of work";
that the public can formulate mini
mum occupational standards; that all
Industrial conditions which fall below
such standards should come within the
scope of governmental action and con
trol. To these ends he would require
all employers to file with the Govern
ment wage scales and other data as
to wages, deaths, injuries and diseases
due to Industrial operation; he would
establish National and state minimum
wage commissions to determine the
minimum standard of wages, and
would immediately establish minimum
wages for women; he would establish
minimum standards of safety and sani
tation and of compensation for acci
dents and death; he would define a
living wage; he would limit hours of
labor and restrict employment of
women and children; he would grant
pensions or Insurance for old age,
sickness or unemployment.
He would grant women the suffrage,
but where there is doubt how they
stand he would refer the question to
a vote of the women.
He would combine In one depart
ment enforcement of the pure food
law, which he would strengthen, care
of public health and the quarantine
service.
Roosevelt proposes that farm life be
made more attractive, that Govern
ment co-operate with the farmer to
make the farm more productive, that
the farmer be helped to co-operate in
order that he may secure a larger
share of the price of his products while
the price to the consumer Is reduced.
Much time is devoted to the sub
ject of the trusts. The Colonel in
sists that destruction of all big busi
ness would destroy prosperity, that
combination has come to stay, and
that revival of competition on the
scale on which It formerly existed is
unwise and Impossible. He con
demns the manner In which the oil
and tobacco trusts were dissolved as a
travesty of Justice and is severe in his
criticism of the Democratic anti-trust
plank as proposing to abollBh all busi
ness of any size or any efficiency. He
renews his former recommendation of
a National Industrial Commission,
which should control corporations,
restrict Issue of securities, prevent or
secure punishment of monopoly and
all Its devices, and enforce publicity.
He would so amend the patent laws as
to prevent patents from becoming
tools of monopoly, and would establish
the parcels post.
Roosevelt declares his belief In a
protective tariff, but "from the stand
point of the interests of the whole peo
ple," not as "a bundle of preferences
to favored individuals." He believes
the people desire protection "primarily
in the interest of the wageworker and
consumer," and that "no duty should
be allowed to stand unless the work
ers receive their full share of the
benefits." His plan of carrying out
this policy Is practically Taft's policy
of scientific revision difference in
cost of production as the basis of the
tariff, a permanent tariff commission
to ascertain facts and revision by
schedule. Yet he condemns the pres
ent Tariff Board as unsatisfactory, ig
noring the fact that Taft secured it as
a mere beginning and has constantly
striven to widen the scope of its work.
He predicts that the Democratic
tariff policy "would plunge the country
into the most widespread Industrial
depression we have yet seen."
He makes the high cost of living the
text for denunciation -of both old par
ties as advancing false remedies. His
remedies are elimination of the mid
dleman, legislation to bring about
closer relations between farmer and
consumer, action by his proposed In
terstate Industrial Commission to do
away with arbitrary control by com
binations of the necessaries of life;
action by Nation and state to make
the farmer's business profitable, good
roads, reclamation of arid and swamp
land. He denies that the tariff or the
trusts have much to do with the high
cost of living, but he says that the in
dustrial commission should not shrink
from regulating conditions that create
or determine monopoly prices, and
that the whole subject should undergo
Inquiry by a nonpartisan body of experts.
Roosevelt suggests that the issue of
currency be taken under direct control
of the Government and be regulated to
expand and contract with the needs of
business.
He reaffirms his former definition of
conservation by saying It contemplates
that our children should have a land
that is more, not less, fertile; that the
forests and grazing land be handled in
the interest of the actual settler, and
that the Nation develop and control
the Mississippi River. He would have
the Government construct, own and
operate railroads and telegraph lines
In Alaska, and lease the coal lands. A
new departure he proposes for that
territory is "to try a system of land
taxation which will, so far as possible,
remove all the burdens from those who
actually use the land, and will operate
against any man who holds the land
for speculation, or derives an Income
from it, based, not on his own exer
tions, but on the increase in value due
to activities not his own."
As to the Panama Canal, he asserts
our right to exempt coastwise vessels
from tolls, but denies that we can
grant any favors to vessels In foreign
commerce without violating the treaty.
He reaffirms his well-known opinions
In favor of a strong Army and Navy
and against the Taft arbitration treat
ies. The friends of Becker in New York
are more reluctant to contribute
money for defense than for tribute.
They can expect no protection from a
grafter who Is in jail, and have no
cause for gratitude to him, even were
they capable of such a sentiment,
which is doubtful. No man is more
friendless than the grafter who has
been found out.
Anent Pastor Corby's plea for the
unmuzzled dog, it may be said the
vicious brute is owned generally by a
man who will go to the limit In fight
ing for him, while the harmless and
affectionate cur has no friends but the
children who love him to do battle in
his defense. So this kind of canine
must suffer.
In order to determine whether a
Belasco drama Is adapted from the
work of another popular playwriter, It
falls to a New York jurist to sit
through a production of both plays.
Retribution appears to be visiting it
self upon the bench.
Having failed to recall the Oakland
officials, the Workers may now retire
from politics. Their services are ur
gently needed In the harvest fields.
Any of them who fall to answer the
call to work may feel the heavy hand
of the men they could not recall.
Socialists and Industrial Workers
received a solar plexus blow In at
tempting recall of Oakland officials.
The administration slogan, "The
American Flag vs. the Red Flag,"
stood for something and won.
Some idea of the perils of aerial nav
igation may be gained from the ex
perience of the Portland amateur avi
ator who was painfully injured by a
hydroplane without leaving the earth's
surface.
The policeman who refused to lead a
cow to the pound acted within his
rights. That is work for the mounted
officer, who might as well be useful
while ornamental.
Becker, Crooks & Co, while not list
ed In Bradstreet's, appears to have
been one of New York's most flourish
ing closed corporations for some years
past.
Portland has had to draw on Cali
fornia for an extra corps of telegra
phers to handle a heavily Increased
bulk of business. Crop orders, no
doubt.
Would the mutinous Second Battal
ion be too tired to help Governor West
In clamping the lid down on Hunting
ton T
That boy at Bandon was (juick on
the trigger and not old enough to re
alize the sorrow that is coming to him.
Tha demonstration lasted fiftv-seven
minutes, and Included that number of
varieties of cheers.
Failure of the rice crop across the
Pacific means consumption of more
American flour.
More glory for the Scot. Statistics
prove he averages heaviest of the em
pire's subjects.
Huntington's primal cause 1 of de
pravity is In being too much of a
man town.
Why not settle the colored Bull
Moose trouble with plenty of water
melon T
Th Roosevelt hook Is baited to
catch anything from sucker to shark.
NEW ' CONSTITUTION IS DISCUSSED
Mr. Barsee Tells What He Tblnka Lat-
eat U'Ren Scheme Would Do.
PORTLAND. Aug. B. (To the Editor.)
Under the title, "Revolution in State,"
we have before us your editorial on the
U'Ren proposed amendment to article
t of the state constitution. This amend
ment Is denominated by you "the most
radical measure submitted to the people
of the state."' As such we wish to dis
cuss it and trust you will not deny us
the right of publication of the same.
We designate your editorial by subject
and number for brevity.
1. Immediate abolition of the Senate.
Special interests are to be no longer
tolerated by a people with tne -run
right of franchise. There is no other
reason for two houses in the legislative
body but to defeat progressive legisla
tion in the Interests of the common
people. The people of Oregon have al
ready taken to themselves the power
of that body to serve special interests
by the direct election of United States
Senators, end It is but a little farther
o go to abolish the Senate entirely.
Since it Is shorn of Its powor it be
comes a useless appendage. We oan
cnoo3e our legislators and make them
truly ripri'ser.tative of the people, vv hy
cannot che same men be ehosaii :n the
one body and equitable service be ob
tulneu'.'
2. The eto Power of the Governor
Has not Th; Oregonian frequently crit
lcla-?il the acts of the Govern.?.- i:: te
tolng measures? Why should he have
exclusive power over that body aside
from joint effort In the enactment of
any measure?
3. Majority vs. Minority Representa
tlon Do you believe in majority rep
resentation only? Would you deny the
minority the right of petition? The
which Is all there Is embodied In this
proportional representation measure, as
the majority elected members to the
Legislature would have, also, the ma
jority of votes.
4. Direct Vote and a Short Ballot
Legislators would be elected ' by the
vote of Individual citizens, ana. wouia
carry their vote into the assembly on a
dlreot proxy. Nothing could be more
just and efficient. It is enough that a
voter be represented by one man aud
not bv many. His vote Bhould be
counted but onee.
5. Unrepresented Districts No dis
trict would fail of representation, be
cause If but one vote is cast for a can
didate, who is not eleoted, the proxy
goes to the ex-offlclo Governor of his
party. It Is his business .to attena
that section, as be naturally would.
8. Proxy-Voting. Representation-
Would make each member responsible
to his constituents and his recall would
force him to be truly representative.
7. The Governor's (ex-offlcio) proxy
representation might "represent mora
voters than all the regularly eiectej
Representatives." Surely, if this should
be the case, the regularly elected Rep
resentatives would be justly a repre
sentative minority in the state and
should not rule according to republican
institutions.
. 8. Governor (Elect) Sole Right to
Finance Bills Would It not be very
probable that the Governor would prop
ery finance his own administration of
affairs? Would not the power of the
recall compel respect of every worthy
institution and eliminate logrolling?
9. Time-Honored Distinction Between
Executive and Legislature Has not the
Governor now the right, and Is it not
his duty to recommend, by message to
the Legislature, the necessities of the
state? Could he exercise more authority
without the veto than with It? x
10. Death of the Governor Has not
the Governor recently been absent from
the state and does not the law provide
for his substitute already?
11. Annual Meeting of the Legisla
ture Would this be more expensive or
cumbersome than the calling of a spe
cial session of the Legislature, or the
meeting of a double body each two
years? Would It not afford greater
conveniences? Have not the majority
of the state electors, represented by
their representatives, a right to assem
ble themselves in special session?
Now we admit that the offered changes
are extraordinary. We are living In
an extraordinary age of Invention and
progress. The revolution of France
from kingdom to republic was extraor
dinary. So was the overthrow of the
Manchu dynasty of China. Our achieve
ments are the result of extraordinary
conditions. We are living In an age of
self-government. C. W. BARZEE.
SENATOR LA FOLLETTE'S POSITION
Progressive Movement Should Be Kept
Within Republican Party.
In a signed editorial In his weekly
magazine, Just out at Madison, Wis.,
Senator Robert M. La Follette makes a
plea to progressive Republicans to sac
rifice everything to maintain the pro-
i n.niMtinn -within the Re-
publican party. The Senator makes no
suggestion as to wnicn oi mo niu,..
tlal candidates deserves the support of
this wing of the party. He devotes
nearly half of the editorial to show
that Roosevelt Is not the real progres
sive that is needed for President. He
mentions Taft, and that in the same
nritv. nnAaam.lt. eavlnsr that
neither he nor Roosevelt helped the
progressive cause wnue in tne uiio
House. Of Governor Wilson he says the
i i - n.mni-rw t -would carry
ClWUUu a. - - " -
small assurance of the advancement or
the progressive eause.
La Follette says: "In no partisan
t o that t Vi nroorressive
movement begRn with the Republican
party, it rapiaiy toisn iu
shaping the policies of state admlnis-
. mm mnlnC ItB lmnrOSfllOn On
National legislation as a distinctly Re
publican movement, ana ui
in recent political history I appeal to
l r? .Vllnone DV'PrVWhfrW tO
progressive wcuw. - - -
maintain their progressivism within
the Republican party.
. . u- .t.t,ml tiat Roosevelt
iuwi uw -
i.ii. r,A-iAn wan nnftnlv on tne siae
of the reactionaries, the Senator con
tinues: "Not until about five months
ago did Colonel Roosevelt make his so-
called declaration or principle".
ignoring Issues, he lured the President
into a campaign so bitterly personal
that by the time of the Chicago conven
tion the frenzy and passion aroused
, 1 1 BVWvthlTiir tn a fierce
scramble to seat delegates and seoure
the nomination. Ana upun ma,
squabble for offloe between two men,
..Jai 117 Vl Jlfl'sk administrations the Re
publican party bad made the trust, tar
iff ana special lawreoi ivvw
which It Is most severely criticised. It
. tA HRtroT & sound and
vital progressive movement which al
ready goes far to uu
within a great and powerful organiza
tion." Shrewd Hint to a Wife,
Houston (Tex.) Post
him: he Is
rich and old?" "Old? He may live for
10 years yet!" "Marry him and do
your own cooking.
A Dreadnought Wife.
Birmingham Age-Herald.
.it - ..iirinir tA niirphv thin morn-
i Was b-.xv..i& . " '
i -vn1it th, lutARt Dreadnousrht. He
didn't appear to be much interested."
T sbOUid tumK not! Ulggny marneu
one."
Political Baths of 1912.
Judge.
Knlcker Is Jones in politics for his
health?
Rocker Not unless mua Datns are
healthy.
Disapproval of Tips.
Exchange.
He I don't approve of tips.
She It has been noticed that you do
not even tip your hat.
Not as People Say. . .
De Maulde la Claviers.
Women are not so frail as people
are pleased to say. They are frail only
when they wish to be- - , ,
XATVRE IS NATION'S PARTNER
Henry Clews Foresees Greater Prosper
ity Growing From Good Crops.
Henry Clews' Letter, August S.
The United States seems to have tak
en in Mother Nature as a special part
ner, and once more the country prom
ises to be favored with good harvests.
If present calculations are realized, we
shall garner a 700,000,000-bushel wheat
crop, a 2,900,000,000-bushel corn crop
and a 1,200,000,000-bushel oats crop.
The yield of potatoes and hay Is also
likely to be considerably ahead of last
year. The total value of these five
crops is estimated at 3, 600,000.000, or
about $200,000,000 ahead of last year.
In all probability the aggregate of all
agricultural wealth produced this year
will be about $9,000,000,000, as against
$8,600,000,000. the figures of the De
partment of Agriculture last year.
What this annual production of new
wealth means to this country may be
estimated when It is remembered that
the capital stock of all railroads in the
United States Is placed at $8,470,000,000.
An increase of $500,000,000 in agricul
tural products In a single year cannot
but be a powerful stimulus to business.
Bankers In all portions of the West
are agreed that the crop situation is
satisfactory, that business is in more
promising condition than for several
years past and that the business men
of the interior have decided to eliminate
politics from their calculations. This
is a practical expression of increased
confidence based upon positively im
proved intrinsic conditions.
The money market reflects Increasing
business activity. Commercial paper is
more plentiful. Time money Is harden
ing and the increased demand for funds
is being felt In all directions.
Among the reasons why New York
has been less sanguine than the West
is the tremendous output of new se
curitles during tha first six months of
the year. While the distribution of
these has been much more successful
than might have been expected, never
theless the local market Is somewhat
congested by such excessive offerings
of high-grade securities.
Wall street is also somewhat con
oerned about the future of the rail
roads, arising from the persistent de
manda of labor. Should the engineers
obtain concessions in the recent arbi
tration case, it Is expected correspond
lng demands will follow from other
classes of railroad labor.
In the steel trade business continues
active. The last quarterly report of
the United States Steel Corporation was
fairly encouraging. Steel prices are
constantly advancing In all directions,
and the results of the next quarter
should show a much more liberal profit.
Other lines of Industry have given evi
dence of prosperity.
So far as politics are concerned. It can
safely be said that from now on they
will be less and less a disturbing fac
tor. The politicians are learning that
derangement of business is apt to In
jure their own political fortunes. The
West has turned its back upon politics
most emphatically, and the East Is not
likely to be slow in following this
wholesome example. For this reason,
if for no other, It Is likely that the
tariff question, to which business !s
most sensitive, will be handled cau
tiously. Whichever party succeeds In
the next election, no radical changes
need.be anticipated, although some re
ductions will inevitably be made tn ex
cessive rates, as a conceslon to public
opinion.
WHEN EVERYTHING COMES EASY
Then, Says the Philosopher, All Things
Are All Right.
PORTLAND. Aug. 6. (To the Edi
tor.) "I see be th" papers that they'Be
shuck up th' sleeping law up there at
Salem an' found a coal fr'm th" altar
av our liberty that we shud blow Into
a flame," said the Irish critic while
we were sipping two glasses of bacil
lus bulgaritlcus.
"They tell me ye can find almost
anything at Salem that ye can blow
into a flame or a fit or a moving
pitcher show av Napoleon Bonypart
crossing th' desert over Into Idyho.
"I never take a dhrink in th' town
meself.
"If th' lamed glntlemen had pur
sued their investigations down a
flight av stairs, they might have dis
covered a bake oven or a forest fire in
th' Governor's office that wud blow
thim up stairs agin quicker 'n blazes
an' make th' lady holding th scales av
Justice on th' roof dance a Jig to th'
chune av 'everybody s doln" it."
"I don't know what th" facts av th'
case Is that made th' coal on th' altar
bo smotherln", but that's nawthln" t'
do with th' law, f'r evr'y man shud
have a fair thrile on the argumint or
th' palladium av our liberitles won't
have any more statellness than a coun
try fiddler.
"Ye see evr'y man's rights before a
Jury Is invi'late f'r ye on'y need an
at'turny, an' evr'y man's rights is
sacred before th' Coort. but ye must
have a lawyer, but how th' divll can ye
tell anything about it until th" battle
av th' Hp Is over.
"Foley says what's y'r rights this
year may be ye're wrongs next year,
f'r everything Is right whin ye have
a Job an' everything is wrong whin
ye haven't- Somehow or other th'
altar av our liberty is a ceserteo spot
whin things are comin' aisey."
J. H. M.
TOO MANY CHOCOLATE SOLDIERS
Veteran of Japanese War (ommrDli on
Muntly of Mllilla.
PORTLAND, Aug. A. (To the Editor.)
Your honorable news columns have
lately said much about certain of your
honorable militia not obeying orders
from a high officer to march a short
distance of five miles. The excuse of
honorable officers, that day waa hot,
road was dusty and men -were of sore
feet and lame Joints, makes a veteran
of Russo-Japanese War to laugh softly
much.
I ask your honorable paper if in Ore
gon such "chocolate soldiers" are paid
monev of taxDavers? In Russo-Jap
anese War never one soldier not obey
orders, and many times boys, wnen
shot, say "not hurt" and march five
miles with blood flowing every step as
marnh. I ask vour honorable paper If
not too much politics in militia? Looks
ilka officer first see what nonoraDie
men want to do, then he give orders
for them to do that thing.
In United States nobody happy and
nobody satisfied. All have too much pos
sibility, nobody attain tneir amDiuun.
Cost of living getting higher, because
so many stop producing to quarrel over
what is right division or otners- pro
ductions. Nobody satisfied with his
shim and pretty soon love of country
all gone and Government soon break
up in many small pieces. Then another
strong nation take hold and rule Amer
ica with Iron nana.
UCrillJA nlKATA.
A Fierce Mexican Charge.
Cleveland Plain Dealer.
'And did you really get close enough
to
oca ' ' '
"Was It fiercer' "I should say it was."
"In a big battle?" "No, in a little ho
see a Mexican cnarge; un, yes.
tel."
Prodigal Son Turns Politician.
Washington (D. C.) Star.
"Are you a favorite son?" asked the
visitor of a South American. "No; 1
have Just been defeated for the Presi
dency. Last year I was a favorite son.
This year I am a prodigal son."
A Frank: Confeaalon.
Baltimore American.
"I am very observant, sir, and from
the way you winced when I stamped
on your foot, I conclude that you have
pedal afflictions." "Say no more. I ac
knowledge tne corn.
The Unexpected (?)
By Dean Colllna.
"Is It not wondrous how the People's
Will
Gets busy, seeking 'mnng the good
and great,
By long elimination stunts, until
It drops upon The Only Candidate?"
Thus mused I to myself, while half
asleep.
I had nought else to do and musing's
cheap.
"Who could foresee, some months ago,
when Ted
Fingered his hat beside the seething
ring
That, ere the cycle of six months had
fled.
The Moosers" party might Its cpot
light fling,
Flashing upon his glasses, crying: 'Ope!
What a surprise! The man we seek
is He!-
"What premonition could a man have
got.
When modestly Into Chicago's hall
Came Theodore and tenderly did spot
The delegates as: 'Thieves and liars,
all!'
That a new party might be Imminent,
Possibly boosting him for President.
"When the wild protest, by the Bull
Moose crew.
Rang through the land, and named a
special day.
When (for the People's sake) the gal
lant few
Should, In Chicago, form a new ar
ray Who would have thought that, ere the
thing was o'er.
They might call forth the Sage of Saga
more? "Yet It is rumored yea, some dare to
on this day will go the summon
ing call.
And. blushing like the modest violet.
Will Theodore be led into the hall,
To hear th' astounding news that he's
been picked
To lead the ilooser's fight mayhap, be
licked.
"Past finding out are the dark ways
of Fate!
For the poor people going to the bat.
The Moosers seek a likely candidate.
And sudden, think of Theodore like
that:
And unexpected, call him thus away.
From the secluded haunts of Oyster
Bay."
Half a Century Ago
From The Oreg-onlun of Auk. T, I82-..
Mr. Brents, the expressman, left tne
South Ford of John Day on the 20th
ult., and from him we derive much in
formation relative to the mines. A
large number of miners have come in
from Powder River, with others who
have gone In, swell the population In
the mines to fully 1000.
Washington. July28- It seems to be
the impression that drafting will be re
sorted to In most of the border states.
A dispatch from Knoxvllle, Tenn.,
says that Morgan sent a special courier
to headquarters, stating that he has
taken 11 cities and towns and heavy
quantities of army stores.
Memphis, July 28. Advices from the
South say 10 ironclad gunboats, built
In England and fully equipped, have ar
rived at Mobile. Three more are ex
pected. City Council. Communication was re
ceived from the Mayor relative to tho
unsafe condition of the bridges In the
southern part of the city.
The sawmills near the city are now
running constantly and still the demand
Is greater than the supply. Lumber Is
readily selling at prices ranging from
$17 to $35 per 1000 feet, according to
quality and finish. Lumber for build
ing purposes Is in great demand, which
is conclusive evidence that our city Is
fast improving.
DOGS AND WHY THEY GO MAD
Dont Get Water to Drink, and There Is
Nothing Else to Do.
PORTLAND. Or., Aug. 6. (To the Ed
itor.) For a week I've been searching
the columns of The Oregonian for a
man, a really human, far-seeing man.
and tills morning I found him. His
name Is Rev. James D. Corby. He Is
one who goes to the foundation of
things and knows why they exist.
X presume it never entered the heads
of our worthy Mayor and health offi
cers to surmise as to why there are
snapping, snarling dogs roaming the
city now more than in December. I
honestly believe Mayor Rushlight him
self would snap and snarl If he had
not had a drink of water for a week.
If a little of the money spent in these
. . .. . l .. ,n .vt.im1nflt, rilimh
lrensiea uuiuutoio m
animals were expended In measures to
make tnem comrortaDie, utmu i
mad dog problem.
All honor to Mr. Corby's church for
providing a drinking place for animals,
and shame upon a city that collects
thousands of dollars per year revenue
because of dogs, which same dogs when
they become lost or neglected have no
alternative but to go mad because that
same city has provided no place where
they can secure a drink of water.
The Humane Society Is doing a grand
work for animals, but they are ham
pered for funds. Why doesn't the city
oo-operate with them and provide them
with means to pursue adequately the
work they are in because of their love
for "every living creature?"
I wonder if all have seen their little
j i mi.-, n-oo-nr.il) n warning people
cara in Ana w i . o - -
against leaving dumb brutes at home
- ,iii .. An iitif Ilia nlPBHa
uncared for wnne i"y
. ... . .i i -a1.au ni tVtA mntin-
ures of lire at i"e "
tains. In my own neighborhood there
are dogs, cats ana
... -ihiin their owners enjoy
the cooling breenes of the ocean, and,
nr rne i irtr- ui c , . r
onma T Sft fl.Il d feed and water tnem. -
couldn't sleep If I didn't. Sometimes
I think there n db sumo
. i - nrtmatnnA fanning the
temples of these same peop. er on.
In the good time cuimus
. .m ho more attention
en vote, tnero "w 1.
Kiven ail along the line to the "ounce
of prevenUon" and less to the more ex
nenslve and unsatisfactory "pound of
Ind in that glad day. believe me.
there will be no need of muzzled dogs
llthoulh there may be some muzzled
other things. nniTapwrirR
why i if
Judge.
i -...t-v man needs a certain
anfount ot exercise each day. The fol
fowing are a number of thing, a man
perfectly wining iu u
if in good physical trim:
Pay $'5 for a course In physical cul
ture. . . , ' j tji- -luha
swing: dumDoeuB iiia -nu..,. -
violently. ...,. , . !
Crawl on his nanas aim
roll like a dog.
Climb a tree ana Denave j" -
boy." . .
Turn handsprings ana su- .
T .. i .i .hora are thlnSTS
on tne otner uuuu, u-v.v -
v : i. ,hinh would srive
scarcely as u.inun - -him
Just as much exercise, but his wife
can't get biro to ao tnem.
are:
Spade gardens.
Feed the furnace.
Pump water into the attic tank.
Beat the carpets.
Mow the lawn.
Scrub the floors.
Walk the floor with the baby.
Essence of a Secret.
London Tit Bits.
"Sav. what was that story about El
vira?" "Well, can you keep a secret?"
"Sure." "So can L