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Show CORRUPT METHODS ARE DENOUNCED PEORIA. 111., June 27. With a general denunciation of corrupt methods, meth-ods, alleged to have been practiced in the legislature of Illinois in recent years between three and four hundred hun-dred .citizens from all parts of the state assembled here today and formed a temporary organisation to repair "the breakdown" of representative government. Senator Jonathan Bourne of Oregon Ore-gon addressed an audience of several hundred people at the Majestic theater, the-ater, in which the Oregon method of electing United States Senators was discussed- Tho conference of Illinois citizens follows recent revelations of corruption corrup-tion In the legislature of Illinois. Regulation of express rates, the commission form of government, municipal mu-nicipal charter legislatloln, civil service ser-vice and election laws were discussed discuss-ed bv Dan R. Sheen and George E. Greene, the latter secretary of tho Illinois Retail Merchants' association. associa-tion. Greene declared that a defzen men controlled the Illinois legislature. legisla-ture. To remedy existing conditions, Mr. Greene suggested one session of the legislature for the Introduction of ' bills only, followed by a second session ses-sion to pass such bills as may have been favorably reported by committees. commit-tees. Senator Bourne In part spoke as follows: fol-lows: "During the session of the legislature." legisla-ture." said Mr. Bourne, "a former government gov-ernment official, an assistant to the chairman of the Republican national committee appeared In Oregon, and I am Informed promised federal appointments app-ointments to legislative members If ! they would disregard tholr statement numl?r one pledges to the electorate, j "The effort was made by the ene-I ene-I mles of the law to create the Im-j Im-j pressloin that by this person's rela-I rela-I tlon with the chairman of the Repub-j Repub-j Mean Natloinal committee during the national campaign he would be able to deliver these promised appolnt-I appolnt-I nients In case the number one sub-I sub-I scribers sold their honor and betrayed betray-ed their trust. "Statement No. one pledge to which a legislator may subscribe provides that he shall alwavs vote for that candidate for United States senator who has recoled the largest number of vot-s for that office at the general election." Speaking directly to the people of Illinois, Senator Bourne said: "Whether you want popular election elec-tion of United States senators In Illinois Ill-inois is for jou voters to determine, but I warn you any half way or com promise system which places party above the entire people will result lit dlssatlsfuctllon and probably corruption. corrup-tion. If you wish to destroy the power pow-er of the political machine, abolish tho conentlon systementlrely." Senator Bourne's address In the beginning, be-ginning, was an exposition of the much dlscussmj Oregon Bystetin, which he declared to be the best ttys-tini ttys-tini of popular government In the world. The chief features of that system are the Australian ballot, strict registration law, the initiative and referendum, the direct primary. Including popular solcctlou of United States sr-uators, a comprehensive' corrupt cor-rupt practices act and the recall, oil of which Senator Bourne declared the people. |