The morning call., 1893-03-19
THE SWISS REFERENDUM.

or late a coed deal has been heard of the
referendum principle In legislation. A bin
was introduced on the subject in the Cali
fornia Legislature, but failed to pass into
law. The system has been brought into
full development in Switzerland in two
ways. A vote of the people is not only
taken on bills which have passed the Fed
eral Assembly, but the people may vote on
proposals before they reach thB Federal As
sembly; and after they have been disposed
of by that body they may again express
their opinion. This appears a complicated
process, and it would be unwieldy for every
kind of legislation in a country of great
area. but Switzerland has a very small ter
ritory, and the various cantons are on
familiar terms each with the affairs of the
other. a very interesting account of the
system is presented in a recent work by Mr..
W. D. McCrackan, the Rise Of the Swiss
Republic"
The Federal Assembly of Switzerland Is
composed Of the National Council and tile
Council of State. In the National Council
are 147 members, being one for every 20, 900
inhabitants. In the Council of State are
forty-four members. each canton sending
two. The Federal Council of seven men,
bers and the President and Vice President
OF the republic are chosen by the National
Council and the Council Of State in Joint
meeting. The constitution provides that
Federal laws, as well as Federal resolu-
tons, which are binding upon all and which
are not of such nature that they must be
dispatched Immediately, shall be laid before
the people for their acceptance or re- lection
when this IS demanded by $4,000 Swiss vot-
ers or by eight csntons." A simple vote of
aye or no settles all such legislation or reso-
iutiOns. But in addition to this control the
right OF Initiative in legislation can be eX-
ereIsed by the people. Any $4,000 voters
may demand the enactment, abolition or
alteration of special articles Of the Fed
eral constitution" MI McCrackan re-
marks upon this privilege: THE initia-
tive is demand made upon the
Government by a body of voters to
discuss certain project and to return it to
the people for final acceptance or rejection
The authorities are obliged to take il into
consideration or to draw up bill of their
own embodying the same principle. In
Switzerland, therefore, the Introduction
into practical politics OF any question which
attracts public notice can be accOmplished
in a simple and direct manner" 1t pro-
duces no surprise in the Swiss confedara-
ton to fad measure submitted Under the
referendum killed by the popular vote. In
so small country it is very difficult, II not
impossible, to carry any legislation hostile
TO public interest. Even If bad laws did
pass the moment they were found out in
their true bearing the mandate of the people
would infallibly end in their repeal. In a
sense we have the benefits of a limited
referendum in every State Of the American
Union. Laws must accord with the const-
tuition. If they do not they are virtually
dead enaetments when tested before the
courts. Furthermore all amendments to
the constitution must be submitted to the
people for adoption or reflection. There is.
however, no direct power of initiation
further than is expressed by an election on
live issues.