276 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



a theory and is far from being a law of an exact science. In that case 

 if the new states build on this new theory they will be experimenting — 

 a method which has the high approval of science. It has often been 

 maintained that the experimental method will forever be denied the 

 sociologist. For how can a sociologist experiment with democracy, as, 

 for instance, a physicist experiments in his laboratory with rays of 

 light? It would indeed be a strange discovery, if it were found that 

 the peoples of the Pacific coast showed a willingness to experiment with 

 their governments and were actually doing so. 



With some thinkers it is still an open question whether democracy 

 will live. Therefore it may seem absurd to discuss the ability of the 

 common people to build a state scientifically. Empire-builders have 

 formerly been men like Casar, Kapoleon, Bismarck. Can the plain 

 citizen do it? If they can, it means that the masses must not only 

 become aware of scientific progress, but must often be willing to look 

 beyond present needs and strong desires to the far-removed good of a 

 future goal. The first requirement is that they shall benefit from mis- 

 takes of the past, as, for instance, the mistakes in the building of the 

 •United States. The development of the great American republic has 

 been remarkable, but it has been accomplished at an enormous cost. 

 Natural resources have not been conserved. Social good has been sacri- 

 ficed for individual gain. And the people are now looking back with 

 regret at the destroyed forests, at the lost water rights, and at the en- 

 thronement of special privilege. They see large numbers of their fel- 

 low-citizens struggling against an inadequate standard of living and 

 weighted down with poverty and ill-health and unemployment. Will 

 the Pacific coast states benefit by the experience of the United States? 



The preceding paragraphs suggest the interpretation of the social 

 order on the Pacific coast as presented in this paper. This social order 

 is both distinctive and novel. To see it is important because it may be 

 a glimpse into the future of forty-five other states. The following 

 pages will present aspects of it as seen through legislative enactments, 

 excellent indexes of the organized efforts of its citizens. For this pur- 

 pose the social legislation will be classified into four groups : changes 

 in the form of government, labor legislation, legislation affecting women 

 and general welfare legislation. 



In governmental changes Oregon is the leader. Her priority in 

 large governmental adaptation has given rise to the term, the Oregon 

 system. And by the Oregon system is meant such a body of laws as 

 the initiative and referendum, the direct primary, the direct election 

 of senators, the recall, the corrupt practices act and the presidential 

 preference primary. Associated with these are woman suffrage, home 

 rule for cities and a constitutional amendment making it possible to 

 adopt proportional representation. The Oregon system sprang from 



