The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-03-23

DIRnor LEoIsLArIoN ~ cIrIEs.

DIRECT LEGISLATIoN IN CITIES.
Northampton, Mass. is a city Of abou
the population OF Helena. Its popula
ton, Ike ours, consists Of people Of III
versiied occupations. many OF them
thrifty and well TO do Ii is with con
siderable interest therefore that we ob.
serve that the Hon. Richard IRWIN, a
member Of the Massachusetts, legsla-
ture from that city, has introduced "a
bill IN that body comforting upon voters
an the cities Of that state the power Of
legislatng by direct vote. The law does
not deprive the city councils OF all Of
their ancient privileges. but confers this
power OF legislation upon the people in
addition. The method by which the
people may propose laws for themselves
ID simple. 1t Is required that the pro
posal shall be signed by at least i've per
cent Of the voters OF the CITY and tnat
not less than ten Of the persons sign
ing the same shall make oaths before a
competent officer that they are them
selves duly qualified voters aud believe
all the other persons who have signed
the proposal are likewise qualified cleo
tors 1t is required that such proposals
Of laws shall be filed with the city clerk.
II ten per cent OF the voters Of such
city shall request that the ordinance
be submitted at a special election such
election shall be called; il not the ordin-
ance shall be voted upon at the first
regular election in such city after the
expiration Of thirty days from the filing
Of such proposal Where SPECIAL cleo
tons are called the law provides that
they shall not be held in less than
thirty nor more than sixty days from the
filing Of the proposal.
To prevent unnecessary expense and /
delay the proposed law provides that an /
ordinance favored by the required num-
Der Of voters shall be laid before the /
city council in order to give that body a
chance to anticipate the vote OF the
people, II il 50 desires. II the council
adopts the law, Of course the necessity
Tor the reference TO the people is done
away with; but II the proposed ordin-
ance is amended by the council the orig
mai proposition and the amended form
shall both be submitted to the people.
The manner OF voting upon a law IS
substantially the same as that observed
IN Montana under the Australian ballot
system and is so simple that any voter
can comprehend IL. The act provides
that the council shall have no power 10
modify, repeal or render nugatory ordi-
nances which have been enacted by the |
vote OF the people, except 10y Two !
thirds vote Of it's members, and even
then that no such vote shall be taken (
within one year Of the time OF It's enact 7
nent. 1t is also provided that the city !
council may itself submit any measure I
70 direct vote Of the people upon petit /,
lions and proposals fled by voters. {
Or course there are certain classes u '
Of an emergency nature that
'aunot be submitted % the people. I
such laws as those relating 20 the i'm. !
Mediate preservation Of the public
health, public peace, or items OF Rppro- .
'riation Tor current expenses Of city !
government are deemed urgent ordi-
lauces and may be passed upon by the
council at once. !
II is q significant fact that this pro
posed law emauates from the heart of ru-
Pal Massachusetts, whore the benefcent
workings Of tho town meetings have 50 .
ong been felt The Irwin law is an eri- a..
iently practical one aud 10 limitations. b
equations and penalties seem all that I
'ould be- desired Its principal is pre- :
lsely that Of the Swiss referendum and f.
viii be interesting 20 see what obi,e. =
ION can be offered tor Ious b seems X
minontiy fair and just. Here In iIei.
ma We submit entire new charters 10 p
opuIar vote, and u there is any reason b
Wy the people should not have the
-glt T. propose " vote upon laws +
hich most Affect themselves we would I
Ike Gu hear 10. ol