The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-05-06

resentatives which the Republicans of
Minnesota have been sending to our ma
tional legislature in the past one would
scarcely think that the party was over
burdened with high talent. Those who
have proved themselves above mediocre
ty can be counted on the fingers of one
hand. Let us have done then with the
ridiculous claim that the Republican
party contains the greatest proportion Of
intelligence or patriotism.
j. H. Lydiard.
Long Lake, Mimi, April 25, 1896.
DIRECT LEGISLATION. 80
How It Was Established in Buckley, Wash
ington.
Editor Representative:
We have to give credit to the Tacoma
Sun" 1.-The Appeal to Reason" and "The
Coming Nation" for great educational work
regarding the Initiative and the Referen-
dunn prior to the call for nominating con-
vention for Nov 9th, 1895, by the Popu-
list committee chairman. 50
On the morning of the day the conven--
ton was to meet, rumors were afioat that
no other conventions would be called and
that adverse parties would pack the Popu
list meeting and control the nominations.
Upon hearing these rumors, / hastily drew
the resolutions passed by the convention
and printed below and sought the commit
tee chairman, and we two spent the day
calling on men Of all political faith request
ing them to be at the meeting and help
make the resolutions platform by which
to pledge the nominees.
The favor with which the idea was re-
ceived was very gratifying and all the OPP
position which developed at the meeting
sprang from political heelers, who were
shrewd enough to see the real point Of the
issue. 1t was a Populist nominating con-
vention, and while the Populsts had con-
troll of it, the following resolutions were
passed:
SHALL THE PEOPLE RULER"
platform of the Citizens Ticket"
whereas, Many city ordinances are of
such Importance as to tax the wisdom of
the whole people, the responsibility of
their enactment should not be borne by the
city council alone but should be shared by
all the people. Therefore,
Be 1t Resolved, That the nominees of this
caucus for city councilmen be pledged to-
the following propositions:
LIST. Whenever five per cent of the reg
istered voters of the City of Buckley shall
petition the city council to refer an ordi-
nance drawn by said petitioners to the peo-
pie for their approval, and sum of money
not less than $4,000 being deposited with
the city clerk to defray expenses of spec
| cal election, then said nominees pledge
| themselves Gf elected to vote for call for
| special election for the purpose of receiv-
| ing instructions from the people on the pas
sage of said ordinance; and if at said spe-
| cal election, so called, a majority of the
voters voting thereat shall approve Of the
enactment Of said ordinance then the NOM
| inees of this caucus pledge their vote Qf
elected to the enactment Of said ordinance.
And # majority of the votes cast at said
election shall be against enacting said Or
dinance, said nominees will vote against its
| enactment.
| End. Upon all ordinances Of general i'm
portance to the public not initiated as here
tcfore specified, the nominees of this eau
Gus pledge their vote to delay said ordi-
nances becoming operative for thirty days
after their final passage; and that if within
said thirty days, five per cent of the regis
tered voters Of the City of Buckley petit
ton the city council to refer said ordinance
to the people for instructions, said petition
being accompanied with deposit with the
|
the expenses of special election, the nom
inees of this caucus Gf elected pledge their
vote to call said special election; majority
of the votes cast at said special election be-
ing against said ordinance, said nominees
pledge their vote to repeal said ordinance
AS soon as they were passed, an invita-
ton was extended to all electors present tt
participate in making nominations. Thii
resulted in placing three Republicans on the
ticket for councilmen and Populist fol-
treasurer.
When the chairman called on the nom.
inees to sign the endorsement of the resolu
tons, a motion to reconsider their adoption
was ably championed by the political heel
ers referred to, but all parties were repre-
scented in argument in defense Of the resolu
tions and the motion to reconsider was lost
In Difference to the nominees who were
Republican, motion to call it the 'Citi
zens' Ticket" and Citizens Platform" wa
adopted.
The disaffected parties called anothe
caucus at which we also presented tn
resolutions and they were promptly lai'
on the table indefinitely. This drew tn
issue distinctly on the initiative and ref
erendum among al the voters who wer
posted on the action of the two conven
lions, but owing to the short time t.
work in and the lack of information OF
the subject in the hands of men Of tn
old parties, great many fought on tn
old party lines and we only succeeded il
electing two
A canvass of the new council show
three out Of the five members-two hav
ing held over-to be in favor of the prin
ciple. This new council took Oftic
Jan. 1st, 1896. After the organization
J test will be made of the initiative.
The clause imposing the cost of tn
special elections upon the petitioner
was considered by many unjust, but
was put in to cut off fight on the ques
ton Of expense.
Buckley's population in 1890 unite
: States census) was $50, and countin
ebb and tide since, think it safe to sa
| we have 1000 now. In political con
, plexion, the Republicans and Populist
{ stand about equal, with say IS per cer
7 each, the remaining 80 per cent bein
7 Democrats and Prohibitionists.
Our municipal government come
I | under the head of cities of the fourt
class in the state code and is vested in
| mayor, a council Of five members,
t clerk, treasurer, marshal and police jul
! tice.
Our state constitution and laws PIT
s vide for many questions being referre
Y to the people for settlement and do nj
e think any serious legal objection can /
: raised to our carrying out our little loc
y plan so long as we confine ourselves