The Louisiana populist., 1897-07-23
A REAL REPUBLIC,
THE INITIATIVE AND REFEREN-
DUN IN BRYAN'S STATE.
Nebraska Leads the Way In Establish
ing Real Self Government In This
Country-Now Let Other States Fol-
low Suit.

Nebraska, the home OF Bryan, has
the honor of being the first state in the
union to incorporate the principle Of
the initiative and referendum in her
statutes: The principle has been one
of the main tenets Of the party, but not
until this winter has any serious at
tempt been made to enact it into law.
The bill passed by the legislature and
signed by the governor is somewhat
modified form of the Swiss system Of
cantonal government, and applies only
to cities and villages.
The right to propose ordinance, for
the government of any city or munich
pal subdivision is vested in the
voters Of the city as we'll as the mayor
and council. The word ordinance" is
defined as including also all orders, re-
solves, agreements, contracts and any
other measure within the powers Of
the legislative authorities of the city.
1t Is provided that the proposal for
legislation shall contain the full text
Of the ordinance proposed, and, to be
mandatory, must be signed by at least
Is per cent Of the voters of the city
making the same. At least ten Of the
persons signing the proposal shall
make oath before a competent officer
that they are duly qualified voters and
that they believe all the others persons
who signed the proposal are qualified
and that the signatures are genuine.
The proposal shall be filed with the city
clerk: but If 20 per cent Of the voters
shall request that the ordinance pro-
posed shall be submitted to the voters
to be voted on at special election, the
clerk shall obey their wishes and call
the election. If no special election is
asked for, the proposal shall be sub
mitted to the voters Of the city at the
first regular election held after the ex-
piration of thirty days from the filing
OF the proposal, unless the council
meanwhile makes it law. II the pro-
posal receives a majority of the votes
1t shall become law. This is the ini-
tiative.
1t is provided, for the referendum,
that no ordinance for the government
OF any city, except as specially pro-
vided, shall 60 into effect until thirty
days after the passage of the same.
If in the interim a petition signed by
al least per cent OF the voters of the
city is filed, requesting its submission
to people, it shall be submitted. II
the number Of signers represent 10 per
cent OF the voters, a special election
shall be held within twenty days; ii
less, not until the next regular elec-
ton. Excepted from the operation Of
this section are all ordinances relating
to the immediate preservation of pub
lie peace or health or items Of ap-
preparation for current expenses Of the
departments of the city, which do no,
exceed the corresponding appropri.
ations Of the preceding year, all
OF which must be passed by a unani.
nous vote.
The mayor and council shall have
no power to enact an ordinance which
shall in any manner alter, modify, re.
pair or render nugatory ordinances
enacted by direct vote of the people
except by two-thirds vote, and ther
not until year after enactment. The
mayor and council have power to sub.
NIT to vote Of the electors at specia
or general election any ordinances they
may initiate. Any one falsely certify.
ing to the qualifications or signatures
of s:gners shall be fined not more thar
$500 or imprisoned not more than ont
year.. Similar punishment is to bt
meted out to the man who signs any
proposal knowing that he is not 8
qualified voter Any clerk who fails
to comply with the provisions requir.
ing his official action in submitting or.
dinances is liable to fine of $4,000
AS a saving clause, however, it is pro.
vided that this act shall not become
operative in any city until accepted BIZ
the voters in the manner provided fo1
the submission of ordinances. Au.
thority. however, is given to the mayor
and council of any city to adopt 1t b,
a majority vote without submission.