The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-18

In Michigan In 1913 and adopted by Iowa
three years afterward. This Is pro-
vision that laws for the contraction Of
State debts beyond q specified limit
shall be submitted to the popular
vote. A Referendum Of this kind with vary
ing debt limits has been since enforced In
California, Illinois. Kansas. Kentucky,
Missouri, Montana. Washington. Idaho. and
Wyoming. Another form Of Referendum
has been introduced in at least seven West
ern States as a shield against wildcat"
banking. no act Of tho Legislature creating
banking corporation being valid until 1t
has been submitted separately to the
people. In three States the Legislature is
forbidden to increase the rate Of taxation
above hxed limits. an act to that effect re-
quiring the approval Of property taxpayers
In the case Of Colorado. and Of the qualified
voters In the case OF Idaho and Montana.
There are innumerable other examples OF
the Referendum. Thus the Illinois and
Michigan Canal can never be sold or leased
until an act to that effect Is ratified by a
vote Of the people In the absence OF a like
expression OF popular approval the school
lands OF Kansas can never be sold. In Col
orado the question OF woman's suffrage
may at any election be submitted to the
people. Beside these Refcrenda. all Of
which are made imperative by State Con-
situations. there have been some volun-
tarily ordered by Legislatures with regard
to matters on which tho representative
lawmakers wero unwilling to decide. But
the constitutionality Of this form OF the
Referendum has been disputed. and the ex
umples Of 1t have been OF late infrequent.
Among American institutions Is included
not only q State but local Referendum.
In the West there are many instances Of
direct appeal to the people in regard to
county. city. township. and school district
affairs. Nineteen State Constitutions guar
nntec to the inhabitants Of each county the
right to be consulted In the location OF the
county scat. In twcnty-four States tho
people OF the actual or prospective counties
interested determine whether county lines
shall be changed. or whether a county shall
be divided. In several Western States the
people Of a county can decide when they
shall adopt township organization. and In
other States cities can settle by popular |
vote when they shall DO organized by
the Legislature into separate counties. |
In number OF States municipalities |
cannot without the sanction Of popu- |
lar vote incur Indictment beyond a
specified limit. Then. again. as in some |
States the question Of liquor or no liquor is |
to the people voting as whole. |
SO in others. under the operation Of the To-
cal option principle. the question is left to |
the decision OF the qualified electors in |
given city or county. The newest and most
interesting form OF municipal Referendum
8 exhibited in California and the State Of |
Washington. where city charters and all the
OF them must be submitted |
or popular approval or rejection. This was
also formerly the usage In the State OF New
York. It forms notable reversion toward
absolutely democratic government Of the
classical pattern.
Mr.. BALFoUR is said to have become q
convert to the expediency Of adopting in
England some form Of the Referendum. and
N application Of the like principle to COM
nunal politics is earnestly advocated in
Belgium. In view Of the facts here set
orth. it might be well for foreign students
Il the institution to examine the American
Is well as the Swiss examples.