The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-02
NEBRAsKA,s REFERENDUM.
a Fond Pop Hope to He Realized In Cities and
Villages. Regardless OF Expense.

LINCOLN. Ncb., April 2S.-Nebrnska has the
rather dubious 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
Populist party Of the West for several years,
but not until this winter was any serious at
tempt made to enact 1t into law. Tho bill as
passed by the Legislature and signed by the
Governor is II somewhat modified form of tho
Swiss system OF %cantonal government, and
applies only to cities and villages.
The right to propose ordinances for the gov
eminent OF any city or municipal subdivision is
vested in the voters OF the city as we'll as tho
Mayor and the Council. Tho word "ordinance'
Is defined as including also all orders. resolves.
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 tho voters OF
the city making the same. At least ten OF the
persons signing tho proposal shall make
,hSy believe SIiy aifl " the Other I persons @ SRS sis .hSi
signatures are genuine: This proposal shall be
fled with the City Clerk; but 4 20 per cent. OF
posed shall be submitted to the votcrs u, PRO 6c
obey, tileir wishes ana call tho election. II no
special election ~ asked for, the proposal shall
be submitted to the voters of the city at tho first
regular election held after the expiration OF
less the Council meanwhile makes ii 4 law. IL
the proposal receives ~ 4 majority q the votes it
1t is provided, for the referendum, that no ordi-
nance for the government of any city. except as
specially provided. shall go into effect until
thirty days after the passage of the same. II in
the Interim n petition signed by at least five per
Gcnt. Of the voters Of the City Is filed requesting
submitted. II the number OF signers represents
ten per cent; or The voters, a special election
until the next regular election. Excepted from
the operation Of this section are all ordinances
relating to the immediate preservation OF public
peace or health or items of appropriation for
current expenses OF the departments of the city,
which do not exceed tho Corresponding appro-
priations or the preceding year. all of which
must he passed by a unanimous vote.
aThe Mayor and Council shall have no power to
enact an ordinance which shall in any manner
nancss enacted By u direct StIT vote " ofthS peo opp,.
= Year after enactment. The Mayor and Council
have power to submit to II vote of the electors
a. a special or general election any ordinances
10 the qualifications or signature of signcrs
shall nc fined not more than $500 or imprisoned
10 DO Inetcd out 10 the man who signs any pro-
Po os knowing that he T. not a qualified
submitting ordinances Is liable to IA fine OF 81, 900.
ES huN ~, t'hHSc, HoNtNCT' u Is provided tnut
this act shall not become operative in any city
until accepted by the voters in the manner pro,
yided for the submission OF ordinances. Author.
ity, however, Is given 10 the Mayor and Council
of any city TO adopt II by u majority vote with.
out submission.
With the exception OF he fow cities AID towns
where the Popullsts are in the majority, the in.
itiatiye and referendum scheme is not likely TO
be adopted. 1t is generally looked upon as a
PopHlist excess, chimerical and utterly imprac.
ucable.. Dependent as II Is upon the cranky
within OF a minority, IL 10 expected to prove do.
eidsdly expensive TO the city that tries Il