The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-09-07

except such as are provided specifically
In the several constitutions. In many
states mo rate OF assessment exceeding
a figure proportionate TO the aggregate
valuation of the taxable property can
be imposed without the consent of the
people by direct vote.
Illinois cannot by legislative enact
ment sell its state canal; the state Of
Minnesota cannot pay any part Of its
debts incurred by the building of the
Minnesota railroad, or pay its interest
without first referring to the people.
North Carolina cannot employ the
credit of the state in aid Of corporations
or industrial enterprises without first
submitting the proposition to the elect
ors.
BY the vote of her people only can
Colorado adopt woman suffrage or Gre
ate debt for public buildings
The people of Texas can select a To-
cation for a college for cOlored youth.
and Wyoming cannot choose a site for
state institutions until her electors first
determine by vote where they shall be
seated.
1 am indebted to J. w. Sullivan for
the following:
There are many county. city, town
ship and school referendums. Nineteen
state constitutions guarantee to counties
tho right to fix by vote of the citizens
the location of county seats, SO also usu
ally Of county lines, divisions of coun-
ties and like matters. Several western
states leave it to vote of the counties
as to when they shall adopt township
organization, with town meetings. sew
eral states permit their cities to decide
when they also shall be counties. AS in
the state, there are debt and tax matters
that may be passed on only by the peo-
| pie of the cities, boroughs, counties or
school districts.
Without the referendum certain South
crn communities may not make harbor
improvements, and other communities
may not extend local credit to railroad,
water transportation and similar cor
4, pOratiOns. The prohibition of the liquor
| business in city or county is often left
to popular vote, indeed local option is
| the Commonest form of the referendum
| In California any city with more than
10000 inhabitants may frame charter
| ever, must be approved by the lcgisla-
ture. Under this law Stockton. San
Jose, Los Angeles and Oakland have ac-
quired new charters.
In the state of Washington, cities of
10000 may make their own charters
| without the legislature having any pow
er to vote: largely, then, such cities
| make their own laws.
The city of Bussey, Ia, employed the
| refendum in voting for bond issue to
| establish an electric light plant
The city Of Cincinnati demonstrated
the will of the majority of the people to
be overwhelmingly opposed to the poll
ticians in refusing to sell the Cincinnati
Southern railroad.
The city of Duluth, Mimi, made a
| practical test of the referendum in vot-
ing for the issue of bonds to build a
water plant, in opposition to a private
plant already in operation.
Milwaukee and Detroit have made re.
! markable strides in fighting monopolies
and corruption through the vote of the
people.
Many newspapers and magazines have
| undertaken the fight for the re-enthrone-
ment of the people, ~..-'~~~.--- ~"-
THE NEW TIME, OF CHICAGO, ILL
THE ARENA. OF BOSTON, MASS.
THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW,
OF NEW YORK.
THE SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER,
OF SAN FRANCISCO, CAL,
are among the leading advocates supple
| nobly for such a form Of government as
will magnify measures and urge the
electors of every state, county and mu-
| nicipality and borough to so thoroughly
inform themselves. on. legislation that
! they will become as well acquainted with
issues as they are now with politicians.
In Ohio the referendum is employed
by municipal corporations in voting for
Improvement of streets, sidewalks, and
! for bond issues for sewerage, electric
| lighting, ETC.; with this form of refer
| endum our people are already familiar.
They have witnessed the people going to
| the polls and voting on a measure of
| mutual interest," partisanship has no
part in the contest, politicians are ig-
nOred; the good of the community only
| is the object to be attained.
The platform of the Union Reform
! party contemplates the extending of this
system to state and national affairs. 1t
means to give the people the right to de-
| clare what burdens of government they
| shall bear, instead of being bound
through Inscriptions and unprincipled
politicians to the money power that now
| controls the legislation of state and ma
| ton. A. A. BROWN.
| Cincinnati, Ohio.
THE DULL TIMES.