Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 8.djvu/87



The Oregon people must be credited with a most gratifying political achievement in the nearly unanimous ratification by the legislature of the popular choice for United States Senators. This exhibition of .leadership in the solution of what was becoming a decidedly vexatious problem in American democracy betokens genius for the exigencies of self-government. Of course the problem connected with the choice of representative men is not fully solved, and no sagacious Oregonian deludes himself into thinking that Oregon's radical innovations are perfect, yet there is a deep convition that the State has struck out on the right line and that it means the attainment of a larger and richer commonwealth life and achievement. All patriotic Oregonians are already earnestly deliberating upon improvements in the devices of the direct primary and the method of popular choice of United States Senators that shall retain for Oregon primacy in these great innovations.

The new railway and banking legislation put the State in line with the requirements, as to law and administrative machinery, that modern economic development and achievements demand. By wise adaptation and elaboration of these new departments through interpretation of our own experience and utilization of the experience of other States incalculable returns in higher welfare for the Oregon people are insured. In the matter of taxation and financial administration only minor improvements were secured. It is to be especially deplored that nothing was accomplished by the legislature for the development of irrigation institutions. On the right development of our water resources for irrigation and power purposes hangs so much of the future greatness and happiness of the people of the State—and every postponement of the right start enhances the difficulties of the problem, if it does not permanently dwarf the possibilities of the State—that this failure of the legislature was nothing less than a calamity.