The Labor enquirer., 1886-02-20
THE nEFERENDUm.

Of the Referendum, contains some Vaiu-
able information upon a very important
subject. 1t shows also how the average
congressional committee, appointed for
the purpose of investigating an urgent
matter, becomes merely a junketing
party, which has big time, at the peo-
ple's expense and-does nothing.
The question of the Referendum lies
at the base ofall other important ques-
tions which are at present claiming the
attention of the people, and particularly
those matters which are in the direction
of reform.or radical changes in our form
of government and our economic system.
Whatever majority of she people de-
sire, our presumed fundamental princl-
pies entltle them to our constitution, 1t
is said, guarantees this right. This is
government of, for and bv,the people
meaning, of course, that a majority OF
thepeople shall decide upon the form OF
government under which they will live.
The Declaration of Independence says,
that when the people are dissatisfied
with,any form of government they have
the power to overthrow 1t and substitute
therefor what may suit them.
Now, it is an undisputed fact that the
congress of the United States has not,
does not and cannot, under present con-
ditions, reflect upon all occasions the
will Of the majority of those whom they
are supposed to represent. 1t goes with
out ssying that the people do not elect
congressman to pass laws against the
interests of the majority and for the ben
eft of the few; and yef it is as apparent
that such has been the course of the
congresses of the United States for the
past twenty years-at least. 1t Is also
true, beyond contradiction, that the
appeals and demands of the people for
the passage of measures for their benefit
have been ignored by these same con-
crosses. What right, then, has plan Of
representation, which does not represent
to continue?
( To look at the matter in the light most
charitable to the congressman. and tc
admit that they honestly differ in
opinion with the majority of the people
is enough to create demand for another
plan of law-making; and when it Is un'
derstood that it is not so much
question of difference in opinion
as it is of bribery and treachery
then certainly every honestand sensible
man must feel the need of change.
What plan, then, shall we adopt con
corning the making or unmsking o
laws? I say, secure in the knowledge
that no better system is known to man
the Referendum. What is meant by the
Referendum? Simply that no measure
shall become law, nor any existins
law be repealed until 80 ordered bv th,
people, through the ballot. Congress
should only be committee, selected BY
the people. to draft measures relating tt
questions of moment, which measures
should be submitted to- the people fo
approval or disapproval.
In most of our affairs we recognize anC
practice this principle, while in the mat
ter of law making, the most importan
of all to the whole people, we ignore it
The platforms of the political partie
are drawn up by committees appointed
for that purpose by the men who hav,
been selected to represent the party, anc
who have been thoroughly informed as tt
the wishes of their constituencies. In
conventions of all kinds and in the hun
dreds of established societies and organ
lzations such is the manner of doing
The reports of committees on constitu
tions, bylaws or resolutions, in any ciyi'
organization, are submitted for adoption
or rejection by majority vote ofall VI hc
. are interested. How absurd then, il
the idea that ,fifty-five millions of peopl,
should give to four or five hundred o
their number the power TO fasten upor
them any obnoxious or unjust law, from
the effects of which there is no escape
as there is In the case of organization
where it requires majority to make /,
rule. a
Give the people the Referendum give
them the right to say what shall bt
their laws; curtail the powers of theil
committee (congress) to dictate to thos,
whose servants they are supposed to be
or to accept the bribes of the monster
who would devour the substance of ou
nation. Make this government of tn,
people in fact, as we'll as in theory, ant
''the danger ahead" will be averted, al
the great questions clamoring for settle
ment can be settled psaceably and as tn
people desire them settled, and the re
sponsibility will be placed where it be
longs. =
Let US agitate this matter; let u
arouse the people to its importance
Do not be held back by cries of"Imprae
ticable." Once get the people to recog
nize and advocate the principle, and tn
practicabiIity can be easily settled; 70
only fools and enemies of the commo
good cry .impracticsble." Let the shou
90 round, Give US the Referendum! an
let US be prepared to back up the d.
mand.
READ the Chicseo barbeI's PHILOSOPHY
II can be found on the Ant page of thi