Birmingham age-herald., 1894-08-29
THE REFERENDUM THEORY

There is a certain school of political writers and thinkers in this country who are advocates of the adoption of the refer- endum principle in governments. G., the submission of all laws to a vote of the peo- pie before they can become operative. These advocates are not confined to the membership of either of the great political parties, but can be found in both. The Democratic and Republican parties of Massach usetts were forced to indorse the principle in their platforms, and the New York constitutional convention has just barely escaped the adoption of such pro- vision in the fundamental law of that State.
 The advocates of the referendum argue the matter as though it were only a ques. tlon of theory, saying: "Consult the peo- pie freely, and we shall find out just what they think.'
 The New York Post, commenting upon such theory, calls attention to proofs of it's fallacy in that it has been tried time and again and most thoroughly in different parts of the country; and that experience has shown that it is the hardest thing in the world to get voters to express thsnn selves on any issue except that of yc.. dates for office. The Post illustrates this truth by the experimen. recently tried !
 in Alabama, where two amendments ] to the constitution were submitted to the people. One proposed to allow the city of Birmingham to increase her tax rate, which is necessary for her prosperity. The other proposed to allow any city or school district to vote tax of A of per cent for educa- tional purposes, to supplement the fund raised by State taxation. There was no serious opposition to either amendment, bub both failed. They died of sheer neg lect. The constitution requires that a majority of the voters who go to the polls shall vote in the affirmative to carry an amendment, and most men were so much interested in the contest between Oates and Kolb that they did not vote either way on either of the amendments, the total yeas and nays not reaching half the total vote for Governor. The election thus failed to cast any light upon the question whether the proposed changes meet with tho favor of the people.
 Attention is also called to the fact that almost every vote on constitutional amendment in New York has been a proof of popular indifference, and the following illustrations are given: In 1869, on an amendment providing for equal assessment and taxation, 462, ,O72 votes were cast (for and sgainst), while for the head of the State ticket Secretary of State) total of 641 ,707 votes were cast. In 1878 the people voted on two of the most important con- stitutional amendments ever submitted to them, those placing the canals and State prisons under single beads, instead of the expensive commissions. The total vote of the State for President that year was 1, ,015,- 502. The total vote on the public works amendment was 614 ,9e5, and on the prisons amendment ell 1S4.
 These historical facts may prove very discouraging to the advocates of the Hund- ley school amendment in Alabama who de- clare their purpose to continue the educa- tional campaign in this State, but the AGE HERALD will go with them again into the fight--next time to win.