William Simon U'Ren

William Simon U'Ren
Born	January 10, 1859 Lancaster, Wisconsin
Died	December 14, 1974 New York City
Political Party	Republican
Spouse	Mary Beharrell

William Simon U'Ren (January 10, 1859 - March 5, 1949) was a political activist, agitator, lawyer, and politician from the state of Oregon. He is best remembered as the Father of the Initiative, referendum and recall.

Early Life

William Simon U'Ren was born January 10, 1859, in Lancaster, Wisconsin, the son of William Richard and Frances Jane (Ivey) U'Ren. He was educated in the public schools, after which he took a business college course and studied law at Denver, Colorado, where he was admitted to the bar in 1881.

Career

He practised law at Gunnison and Denver for a few years, then traveled for his health and came to Oregon in 1889.

In 1891, he settled in Milwaukee, Oregon, and in 1896 he resumed the practice of law as the senior member of the firm of Uren and Scheubel.

Ideology

When on his way to Oregon he was impressed by Henry George's "Progress and Poverty," and was soon advocating the idea that the surest way to secure the adoption of the "single tax" was to institute the initiative, referendum and recall. His efforts in this direction have been so effective that he has been called the "Father" of the Initiative and Referendum.

Entry into Politics

Was elected to the Legislature from Clackamas County, Oregon, in June, 1896. Formed partnership with Christian Schuebel in January, 1901. He was also a Member American Political Science Association, of the Oregon City Commercial Club, and of the National Municipal League.

He was organizer and secretary of the Oregon Direct Legislation League (1892-1902); member of the Oregon House of Representatives (1896) ; organizer and secretary of the Oregon Direct Primary Nominations League (1894), and People's Power League of Oregon (1906 and 1908).

Personal Life

Married March 6, 1901, to Mary Beharrell.

Quotes

I read Progress and Poverty in 1882, and I went just as crazy over the Single Tax idea as any one else ever did. I knew I wanted the Single Tax, and that was about all I did know. I thought I could get it by agitation, and was often disgusted with a world that refused to be agitated for what I wanted. In 1882 (sic) I learned what the Initiative and Referendum is, and then I saw the way to the Single Tax. SO I QUIT TALKING SINGLE TAX, not because I was any the less in favor of it but because I saw that the first job was to get the Initiative and Referendum, so that the people independently of the Legislature, may get what they want rather than take what the Legislature will let them have.

See Also

• Initiatives and referendums in the United States
• Initiative
• Referendum
• Recall