The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-07-26
(concluded from 9TH pquel
WHY THE PUBLIC THINK WE HAVE TOO
MUCH LEGISLATION. y

MUCH
From our childhood we have become
accustomed to hear it said that I'VE
have too much legislation" I won
dered when a boy if this could be true,
and I have learned that the people
judge rightly. Why's Because most
of Jul laws are dictated by selfish in.
terests for burdening the people, grant
ing to corporations gifts Of the public
domain, franchise rights of infinite
value, and the monopoly of those great
gifts which God and nature intended
as the heritage of all mankind.
How many, Nh. Speaker Of the meas
ures which are passed by Congress
would be approved by the people if they
knew of the influences by which they
were paesed9 Sir, 1 believe there would
be but few. These is not a member OF
this House who does not know that
many of our laws for tariffs, appro-
priatior9, revenues, bonds, and rail
read franchises are passed with cor
rupt influences.
DIRECT LEGISLATION AND ITS SPLENDID
ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE SWISS
REPUBLIC.
direct legislation" is, in the fullest
sense, "a government of, by and for
the people," Ii extends the principles
of a pure democracy to the highest
possible limit in government, limited
only by the will of the geople. 1t ueu
ally includes the following:
1.-The initiative.-The proposal of a
law by a percentage Of the voters.
"The Extraordinarily vote at the
polls on q l~aw-proposed through the
initiative, or, if peticioned for by a
percentage of the voters, on any law
passed by a legislative body.
proportional representation. "A
plan of nominating and electing legis-
Iators and executives which shall voice
the exact choice of the voters in pro-
portion to their numerical strength.
''The imperative mandate. The right
to vote out of Office through the mi
tiative and referendum any official
who fails to perform his duty"
The Initiative" is tffected by a petit
ton Of a specified proportion of the
electors Casually from 5 to 10 per
cent?, by which the lawmaking body
is compelled to formulate, discuss, and
vote upon the measure named.
II defeated, the people can have it
referred directly TO them for a popular
vote. This is the referendum" Or,
if passed, they can upon petition de
mand q referendum" to them for ap-
peal or affirmation.
If desired, the Initiative" petition
may require the ''retendum" to the
people directly, without further special
petition. Ii is usual, however, for the
Legislative body to first vote upon the
measure, and, If carried, a reasonable
time Is allowed 70 test the merits of
the law.
In a recent address issued by the
Direct Legislation League No. l, Of
Philadelphia, Pa occurs the follow
ing:
But some may claim that it would
be impossible for such a system to be
put In successful practice in this coun-
try, for the reason that the American
people are too busy to be continually
signing Initiatives 'reierendums,' or
imperative mandates But is it true
that we would neglect these duties4
Are not our people generally awaken
ing to the fact that the present fright
full economic conditions are due en-
tlrely to legislation passed either in
Ignorance or by bribery; that the poor
are growing poorer and the rich richer;
that the great middle class is being
gradually wiped out as the result of
written laws enacted in defiance OF
natural laws3
But the practical working of direct
legislation, in Switzerland have shown
that the voters have none Of the trou-
BILE which at first thought, would
seem to be necessary. The first result
OF the system was the total abolish
ment of the lobby, 1.-The third house"
The bribers gone, the professional poll
tician oon became unknown as such,
and then in turn political parties were
dissolved, and now ~partisanship never
warps the judgment OF the voter. And
lastly, instead Of Office holding being
disgraceful, upright citizens now
strive for Office because Of the honor
attached. Thus good legislation at
once resulted, and very seldom do the
voters make use OF their prerogatives,