These points were not new; most of them are incorporated into the body of law of the State of Oregon. Most progressive Democrats as well as Republicans seem willing to support these principles. In almost every State the movement for the direct primaries has met studied opposition. The "practical politician" or the professional politician seems to hate to see the old convention system of nominations go. There are many who object to the election of senators by direct vote, claiming that the people are not capable of choosing wisely in such cases. The direct election of delegates to the national conventions is no more than the prerogative now exercised by the voter when he casts his vote for the presidential electors. To his mind it means that he is voting for the candidates themselves. In the vote for delegates to the conventions the voter is accorded the right to express his preference for men to be candidates. The corrupt practices plank deserves commendation. It cannot be made too strong, for every attempt to do away with the irregular, vicious methods used is a step toward good government. The plank which arouses the greatest opposition is that which incorporates the initiative, referendum, and recall. All three are devices to make the machinery of popular government more directly respondent to the popular will. The "initiative" is a process by which laws are proposed on the petition of a certain specified number of voters for action either by the legislature or by the direct vote of the people through a referendum. The "referendum" allows a popular vote upon acts passed by the legislature--that is, a bill passed by the legislature may not become a law unless sanctioned by a popular vote, if a vote is called for by a specified number of voters. The "recall" gives the voters an opportunity to relieve a man of his office if by a regular vote it is demonstrated that such an officer has not performed the duties of his office to the satisfaction of his constituents. These expedients are still in the experimental stage, and it is doubtful whether they are so fraught with danger as their opponents seem to believe or so efficacious as their adherents insist. Much of their success depends upon the cases to which they are applied and upon the popular interest displayed. The Oregon experiments apparently have been very successful. The question of the "recall" is a serious one. In some municipalities--Los Angeles, for example--it has operated well. How it will work in the national government, where it will affect the judiciary, is a problem. The veto of the Statehood Bill (Arizona and New Mexico) on account of the presence of the "recall" for judges in the constitution of Arizona shows that President Taft is a stout opponent. It seems well that any such step should be taken with extreme caution.