Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1895-11-21
Initiative Rsferendum2 Suppose both

Initiative referendum suppose Doth
do?
Who can object to brin yinZ the leg
islatlVe function nearer the people?
This is IA government Of the people,
by the people and for The people. " We
are now piUwinE with the pillow handles
one hundred miles long. Let us get
the plOwman nearer Tue plow. Tue
prObaOil ties are that both lie reform
conventions will adopt such plank.
What then? All men, Of The most
diversified views could thus unite 10
elect reform president and congress
governors anu state legislatures. rnen
whenever any OF our more advanced
or more radical friends think the Time
is ripe to submit their particular policy
10 the people they can ''luiLate' It and
lave it "refered," u a pOpulnr voEt;
and if the voters have been sufficiently
educated 10 support their view, tLen
their especial reform VIII triumph.
Under u y theory of republic What
ever the majority think right is right;
and whatever 1t thinks rUng is prac-
tically wrong, for the time being, al.
though It may be theoretically right.
No man Is fool enough to demand tDat
Their pet ideas shall be established by il
minOuty;-t0r The question would then
arise what Shall that mlnurlly CONSIST
of-49 per cent. or IS per cent, OF per
cent? Hence all Luese Seperate bands
OF reiormer5 can unite in one grauu
movement to redeem the nation.
The truth is We are now in transit
tion period. the water OF crystaliza
tiOp" is doing its silent and wonderful
work. Eventually you cannot keep
these elements Of reform apart with
yOkeS OF oxen; but the question comes,
Shall the nation be redeemed in 1896;
Or shall the government endure four
years more of dangerous and deadly
strain, while the people sir lower into
wretchedness and desperation?
Can all the elenents he combined
without any sacrifice of principle upon
The part of any, to drive The enemies of
mankind out Of this, Gods magnif-
cant land, intended by him for the
happiness of his children. We think
they can be, il mems brains are wise
and their hearts are pure.
Rise. brethren rise to the level OF
great argument.
Never were vaster responsibilities
cast upon generation. Let MS thank
God for the opportunities to do good,
and save the unborn millions from
misery and slavery.
IGNATIoUs DoNNELLY,
81
The doctrine of the Initiative and
Referendum is new or not understood
by but few, except those who have
been members Of the populist party,
we will explain it briefly.
1t means simply, that the people
shall have the right to initiate any law
which specified number shall petit.
ton for. For example suppose ma
jOrity of the people of the United
States should petition congress that it
pass II coinage bill for silver and gold
at the ratio of Is TO !, and congress
refuse to pass the bill, the referendum
or the law would make iJ the duty of
congress to submit that question to
the people to vote upon, and if ma
jOrity should vote for it then it would
be law 10 spite of congress Or presi-
dent to the contrary.
1t means the people shall have
power to initiate a law, and by refer
endum may confirm their ac5 by vote,
and make it y law.
1t means that the people may rule.
Mr. DOnnelly's idea is, as We under
stand him, to all join hands on the
main question, the money issue, as we
all agree, then on these other ques-
lions have them submitted to the peO-
pie if all cannOt agree. 1t would seem
that 70 honest person could object to
TO such procedure.
If this cor blne can he affected, we
can elect the next president, the next
and the most OF the COVER
nOrs of the states west and south.
His suggestions are able, and com
ing from one of his known great ability
are worthy of honest thought and con-
ED. SILVER KNIGHT.