Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-07-15
Nebraska's Referendum Trial.

Nebraska has adopted limited
form of the referendum that is to be
put to test in practical workings in
the cities Of that state. The law pro-
vides that the voters Of city shall
have the right to propose ordinances,
agreements, contracts, ETC., the same
as the members Of the city council.
The proposed legislation must be
submitted in writing and in full as it
is wished the council shall enact it
and to be mandatory must be signed
by at least Is per cent OF the voting
population. At least ten Of these
signers shall make oath before compe-
tent officer that they are duly quail
fled to sign the petition and that
they believe that the others whose
names appear on the same are also
qualified. The proposal is to be filed
with the city clerk; but II 20 per cent
OF the voters shall ask that the mat
ter be voted on by the city at an
election, then the clerk shall call such
special election. Ii no special cleo
ton is made necessary, then the pro-
posed law shall be voted on by the
voters at the next general election,
unless the council shall make it an
ordinance in the meanwhile. II it is
voted on and receives a majority OF
the votes cast, it becomes a law. This
in substance is the initiative portion
Of the law.
The opposite side Of the method for
reaching more closely the people in
the government Of the towns is found
in the referendum feature OF the new
law. In case the city c uncl should
decide to pass any ordinances not
asked for by the people, it isprovided
that they shall not 90 into effect until
80 days after the passage of the same.
If in the meanwhile per cent of the
voters shall petition to have the or
dinance submitted to the vote of the
city, this is to be done. II, however,
10 per cent so petition special cleo
ton will be held on the subject with
in 20 days; if less, the vote will occur
at the next general election. Except
ed from the provisions Of the act are.
ordinances required for the preven-
tion Of disease and those providing
for the peace and revenue Of the city.
All ordinances shall be in force at
least one year and the council cannot
render nugatory the provisions OF one
Of these ordinances without the vote
Of the people. Cities are not obliged
to accept this act, but may do so by
vote or by the unanimous consent Of
the mayor and the council.
OIL is the opinion of the promoters of
this new law that there will be
reached closer sympathy with the
proceedings Of the municipality be-
cause OF this touch on the affairs
possessed by the voters, but it is at
least matter Of doubt until the trial
has been made. There are not want
ing those who think that the effect
will be to clog the working Of the
town governments and make the
elections SO frequent that few will
attend and thus allow the minority
to put on the community burdens
| that it is unable to stand. This has
been the case in the voting Of bonds
in most of the western cities. The
vote has been ridiculously small COM
pared with the voting strength of the
city. II these elections are to be
called off every few weeks, it may be
guessed that the number who will
take part will be decreased rather
than increased. 1t is characteristic
of the average American to think that
he wants to do a great deal Of reform
ing until he has chance, and then he
forgets to carry ont his part.
Like many ether fantastic devices
that Populism delights to theorize
about, it is fairer in the contempla-
ton than in the practice.
The Mckinley administration is