The Louisiana populist., 1897-03-05
ABOUT DIRECT LAWS.
WHAT THEY WOULD AND
WOULD NOT DO.
by One OF Facts" Interesting Corre-
spondents-There Is Only One Side to
This Question.

To the Editor of Facts: In late
number of the Atlantic Monthly is a
short and very well-written article on
THE Political Menace of the Discon-
tented" in which, after picturing in
frightful colors the dangers which
threaten our nation from the Chicago
platform and its adherents, the writer
remarks:
1T is more than a coincidence that
the menace to property and credit is
more determined in the two parts of the
union, the south and the west, which
have nothing in common but lack OF
thrift"
Farther on he states:
1T is the feeling that in some way
the government has ceased to be his,
as 1t was in time nearer to the town
meeting, that has aroused the suspicion
OF the isolated man."
Granted that our Atlantic friends
conclusions are correct, it certainly be-
hooves us of the thriftless and there
fore rebellious west to make great
effort to allay the suspicious of the
isolated man, by making the govern
ment once more his own.
How to make and keep our govern
ment one which shall be in, reality a
government by the people is, then, a
question Of the utmost importance to
US.
Doubtless, the terms initiative"
referendum" and imperative man
date" are familiar to the ear. But lest
some one may not understand them
fully l will give brief explanation.
The referendum is simply referring
to the people of proposed legal meas.
ure for their approval or veto. We now
have the referendum in our own coun-
try in very limited measure, !. e.,
every amendment to our state consti-
tuition must be approved by the peo-
pie before it becomes part of the law
OF the land. Certain questions as to
bond issues are also submitted to the
people. Several years ago the school
board of Denver gave the people the
referendum in regard to free text
books.
In Switzerland, which country takes
the lead in direct legislation, the refer
endum is either compulsory or option
al. That is, in some OF the cantons all
measures must be submitted to the
people before becoming laws. while in
others and in the federal government
they are submitted only on petition Of
a certain number Of citizens.
The initiative is the natural compile
ment OF the referendum. BY it the
people have the power to initiate leg
islation when their legislators are too
sluggish to do so, or when they are
bound by rings and strings" and un-
holy combinations. A demand by a
certain number Of voters then compels
the law-making body to frame the de-
sired legislation and submit it to the
people for their acceptance or rejection.
The imperative mandate, or, as it is
sometimes named, the recall, enables
the people to remove from Office an un-
worthy or incapable official, provided
that the demand be made by a majority
of the voters.
Perhaps it may be palmer to you il
brought nearer home. Let us suppose
that we have adopted some such sys-
tenn Of direct legislation in our city.
We wish to take into our own hands
the business ct supplying ourselves
with drinkable water. Say twenty per
cent Of our people sign a request to our
public servants to make all arrange
ments for purchasing the property Of
the water company or for putting in a
new system. That is the initiative.
! The city council thereupon must
frame necessary measures and adver-
tise thoroughly the date on which the
question IS to come before the people.
On that day 1t is settled by direct vote.
That is the referendum. Possibly dur
ing this operation one Of our older men
has shown a leaning toward the inter-
est Of somebody besides the people
whose servant he is. Such things have
been heard OF In some of our cities
Possibly he has worked so plainly
against US and for his own interests
that the whole city is indignant. Very
well, If more than half of us see fit we
may, by signing our names to the de-
mand, remove the gentleman from his
public Office. That is the imperative
mandate, or recall.
Or, suppose that many Of US think
that our fair city would be fairer with
out saloons. Do you not see how di-
rect legislation would simplify mat
ters? believe that If the question Of
saloons or no saloons were put directly
to the people of Denver. the saloon
would 60. Perhaps not, but should
like to see it tried.
| For q few moments let US consider
some Of the arguments for and against
an adoption OF this Swiss system.
1t would destroy the lobby, that
third house." which is responsible for
much Of our class legislation.
It would tend to prevent politics from
becoming trade, for the power Of the
1 ,,n1i<snian haiuN n,x~Ko;taa %hn1n ~,,o.,1