Direct Legislation League
Encyclopedia
The Oregon Direct Legislation League was an organization of political activists founded by William S. U'Ren
in the U.S. state of Oregon
in 1898. U'Ren had been politically activated by reading the influential 1893 book Direct Legislation Through the Initiative and Referendum, and the group's founding followed in the wake of the 1896 founding of the National Direct Legislation League, which itself had its roots in the Direct Legislation League of New Jersey
and its short-lived predecessor, the People's Power League.
The group led efforts in the Oregon to establish a system of initiative
and referendum
, allowing direct legislation by the state's citizens. In 1902, the Oregon Legislative Assembly
approved such a system, which was known at the time as the Oregon System.
The group's further efforts led to successful ballot initiatives implementing a direct primary system in 1904, and allowing citizens to directly recall
public officials in 1908.
William S. U'Ren
William Simon U'Ren was the father of Oregon's Initiative process. A progressive during the turn of the 20th century, he was instrumental in getting initiative, recall and referendum included in Oregon's government....
in the U.S. state of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
in 1898. U'Ren had been politically activated by reading the influential 1893 book Direct Legislation Through the Initiative and Referendum, and the group's founding followed in the wake of the 1896 founding of the National Direct Legislation League, which itself had its roots in the Direct Legislation League of New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
and its short-lived predecessor, the People's Power League.
The group led efforts in the Oregon to establish a system of initiative
Initiative
In political science, an initiative is a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote...
and referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
, allowing direct legislation by the state's citizens. In 1902, the Oregon Legislative Assembly
Oregon Legislative Assembly
The Oregon Legislative Assembly is the state legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. The Legislative Assembly is bicameral, consisting of an upper and lower house: the Senate, whose 30 members are elected to serve four-year terms; and the House of Representatives, with 60 members elected to...
approved such a system, which was known at the time as the Oregon System.
The group's further efforts led to successful ballot initiatives implementing a direct primary system in 1904, and allowing citizens to directly recall
Recall election
A recall election is a procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote before his or her term has ended...
public officials in 1908.