The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-05-21
OHAUTAUQUA.
THE SWISS REFERENDUM.

Especial Paper Read by j. j. b. OF CLASS b.
The definition of the Swiss Referendum as
given in the Chautauquan is. br efy the reference
of proposed laws to the people for their veto or
approval; and its fundamental ncples are per-
sonal freedom and home rule.
1t would be rather difficult for one to find an in
telligent American citizen who would be willing
to exchange our form of government for any other
in existence in the civilized world. We at
least firmly united in the belief that our govern
ment is better than that of any other nation of
the present age, and that we. as a people. enjoy
greater personal freedom. and governed by
home rule in the fullest acceptation of the term.
1t would be equally difficult on the other hand to
find an intelligent citizen who is of the belief
that our government is faultless. By this
mean laws governing national and state af-
fairs That the majority of national and
state laws they stand. the fruits of COM
promises necessarily made, Is. think, a fact that
stands against successful refutation; and that
compromise so often necessary in order to effect
the passage of any bill of national Importance, is
largely due to the distinction so sharply drawn
between party lines. or socalled party principles
There is another very potent cause for the defects
of our legislative bodies-the lobbyist. The
United States stands to-day facing the same per-
nicous influence upon her lawmakers that Eng
land had to combat in dealing with the lobbyist
evil 1t has grown to such magnitude. and the
methods employed by the agents of interested
corporate and individuals are so manifestly
hinderance to honest legislation that it is fast be-
coming the exception to find strictly honest leg
islator, instead of the rule. The question of
means for eradicating this blot upon our system
of government, is at the present time being seri-
ously considered by the people as whole, and by
the press in general Theories are advanced by
some worked out to their logical conclusions,
and dropped either from Interior motives. or for
their impracticability. Notwithstanding this. the
question of Reform is sure to be agtated until
some tangible reform in our body polite is eff
fected.
The Referendum it exists in Switzerland is
acknowledged success if the account given of it
in the April number of the Chautauquan can be
relied upon. and think that the very fact of the
institution having existed nearly 425 years. is at
least sufficient evidence of its practcability in
that country. To my mind there are various
reasons that can be brought forth to demonstrate
the practcability and the beneficial results that
would follow the introduction of this institution
in the United States l will conine myself how.
ever to the discussion of but three. Its praitica
bility; its tendency to arouse intelligent study
among the voting classes throughout the country
of proposed laws of national Importance and the
good effect that Is to follow the education of
the masses in the nature and principles of such
laws; and the lessenng of the evils of the lobby.
1t is practical because it is not a complex meas
ure for it is of such nature that almost the most
ignorant voter understand it. 1t would not
materially increase the cost of national elections
if wise provisions were made. 1t would enable
the people to assert their individual Opinions
upon such bills of Importance that arouse wide
diversity of opinion throughout the country the
fate of which lie in the power of mere atom of
our population in the hall of congress; for it is
just reasonable for one to say that the Gar of
Russia represents the will of his people, as for
one to say that a congressman effectually
voice the sentiments of 80 900 1000 electors
that two senators can by their votes effectually
satisfy million and quarter of people.
AS to its tendency to arouse intelligent study Of
important measures. can anybody reasonably sup.
pose that earnest thought upon the law governing
foreign immigration. silver coinage the election
of United States Senators or the number of hours
that should constitute legal days work, would
not be stimulated. and that man who realizes
that he can register his approval or veto to such
measures, would not give them far more serious
consideration than he is content now to do in the
Office, workshop or upon the street? 1t would
have a real tendency to lessen the prevalent
ignorance of the masses of the fundamental prin-
ciples of the great political parties If it were
possible to gather reliable statistics of the number
of voters who could not give satisfactory ex.
PLANTATION of the difference between the principles
of the Republican. Democratic. or Farmers ALI
ance parties, think the country would be greatly
astonished at the result. The man who is a Re.