Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1897-02-17
Kansas May Be First

prevailing in Switzerland and in no
other nation in the world
The iniative and referendum is but va
guely understood by the people outside
of Switzerland. The people of Kansas
always in the lead, have given the mat
ter considerable thought, but it is hard
ly safe to say that they are ready tc
| adopt the system The resolution in
troduced provides for a change of article
| fifteen of the constitution of the state.
and of course all the legislature can dc
is to discuss the matter and recommend
such change The people, only, can
| change the constitution. But should
the resolution be acted on favorably by
the legislature. as it is proba BILE it will.
it will inaugerate the discussion
throughout the state of very interest.
ing subject
Article fifteen Of the constitution. if
changed as contemplated by the reso-
luton will read as follows:
Sec. !. The legislative power of this
state shall be invested in the house of
representatives and the senate, and in
the qualified electors of the state OF
Kansas, as defined in article five of the
constitution.
Sec. .. No public act shall take eff.
feet or be in force until the end of SIN
months from the close of the session OF
the Legislature at which it was passed
unless otherwise directed by vote OF
two-thirds of the members of each
house thereof.
Provided, That an act shall take eff
feet or be in force at the end of six
months, if fifteen percent of the cleo
tors of the state, to be based upon the
number of votes cast for all the candid
ates for governor at the last general
election. shall petition the secretary of
state, within the six months, for the
submission of the same to the electors,
for their approval or rejection, at the
next ensuing general election. And
upon receiving such petition, the secre-
tary of state shall submit such act to
ever any such act shall be approved by
a ma jority of the electors of the state
voting upon the same, it shall become
valid and operative from and after the
official canvas and declarat ton of said
vote.
Sec. 3. When fifteen percent of the
elector of the state shall present IA bill
or proposition for an amendment to the
constitution to the secretary of state,
he shall submit such bill or proposition
to vote of the electors thereof, for
their approval or rejection at the next
ensuing general election. And when
ever any such bill or proposition shall
be approved by majority of the cleo
tors voting upon the same it shall be-
come valid and operative from and after
the official canvass and declaratio OF
such vote.
Sec. 4. The electors of any county
township or city, upon petition to their
respective county, township or city
clerks, shall have the same right
to initiate and have referred to
them all local legislation, whenso-
ever originating, affecting such locali-
ties, in such form and manner as the
Legislative power may prescribe
Whenever any local legislation shall
be submitted to vote of the electors
of any county, township or city and
shall be approved by ajority of the
electors voting upon the same, it shall
become valid and operative from and
after the official canvass and declara
ton such vote
Sec. f. Provides that local legislation
in cities. counties and townships shall
be submitted to popular vote on de-
mand, and sections and provide as
follows:
Sec. Whenever any public act shall
have been submitted to a vote of the
electors of the state and shall have re-
ceived the votes of majority of the
electors voting upon the some at any
general election, it shall be the law OF
the state, any provision of the consti-
tuition to the contrary notwithstanding.
Sec, G. No public. act tha: has been
approved by a majority of the electors
of the state voting thereon shall be re-
pealed until the proposed repeal has
been su omitted to said electors for their
approval or rejection.
1t is also provided That this propo.
sition shall be submitted to the elec.
tors of this state at the general cleo
ton of representatives to the legisla-
ture ih 1898. Those voting in faver OF
this proposition shall have written OF
printed on their ballots For the initia-
tive and referendum amendment to the
constitution. Those voting against
the said proposition shall have written
or printed upon their ballots the words,
Against the initiative and referendum
amendment to the constitution
The London Figaro remarks that
''the prince of Wales is the greatest
spendthrift in the world. The state
ment is made that he has spent S5O,-