The Advocate and news., 1898-05-18
FOR DIRECT LEGIsLA-
TION.

number of letters asking the best
method of organizing Direct Legislation
Leagues. These have been answered
personally, burt lnasmuch as there is a
general interest in the work for direct
Legislation few suggestions as TO Orga-
nlzatiOn for direct legislation may be in
place.
Direct legislation is very simple, and
therefore work for its adoption does not
bring complications. A Direct Legislation
League need have only three members, so
that there shall be President, Secretary,
and Treasurer, but the latter official is
not an absolute necessity. 1t should be
remembered that Direct Legislation
league may be an active organization
without dues or assessments; that ex-
PLANTATION rather than argument Is needed
to make converts to the initiative and
referendum, and that time spent with a
person who does not understand the sys-
tenn and the need for Its adoption Is
worth more than money expended for the
same purpose.
II you wish to do some work for direct
legislation you will find the following an
easy way to begin:
l. Get two other persons who want to
see the initiative and referendum adopted
and organize Direct Legislation League
Secure as many workers as possible, but
IL you cannot collect a larger number
three will be enough. If you are on a
farm organize league in your own fam
ilyn
2. Make your organization as simple
as practicable for direct and effective
work. 1t is not necessary always to ap-
point q committee on organization; too
often time wasted in preliminary work
has killed the enthusiasm and lost the
real issue. The National Direct Legis-
lation League has form for constitu-
tIOn, but II you are in a hurry to get at
work, and yourself and your associates
have sufficient faith in each other to dis
pense with formalities, you can work
under something like the following:
CONbTITUTlONs
Article l. This organisation shall be known us DI-
rect Legislation League No. .... Of ..........,...
Its object shall be TO work for the adoption OF the
initiative and referendum In local, state and ma
tonal government
Article IL. Any person who Is supporter Of the
Initiative and referendum and who Is willing to work
for It's adoption is eligible to membership
Article Ill. The selection OF officers, arrangement
of meetings, etc, shall be In accordance with the
rules therefor given In Lany leading book OF parlia
mentary procedure such rs Roberts Rules OF order
Time of meetings, dues (if any, and
other details may be laid down in by
laws. Remember that too much atten
tiOn to technicalities is the trouble which
has put many of the courts of the COun-
try under distrust, and don't overload
with rules and regulations.
8. Don't lose an opportunity to advance
the cause of direct legislation. Get 1t
adopted locally If you find an OppOr-
tunity. Get 1T before the public when
ever you have an opening. Interest the
editor Of your local paper. Get the Opln-
ions of men who come up for the Legis-
lature, and have them published in some
county paper. If the candidates don't
have any, or won't give opinions on
direct legislation, convince some into
them, or at least publish the fact that
they are without opinions on a matter
of Importance that will come before the
next Kansas Legislature. Don't for an
instant lose sight of any public officers
who are liable to have an opportunity to
vote for the initiative and referendum.
4. Write to Bltweed Pomeroy, Pres
ident Of the National Direct Legislation
League, Newark, N. j., for literature
list, and, il possible get every member
Of your local league to subscribe for the
Direct Legislation Record, which is pub
lished by the national organization. The
subscription price is rs cents year. The
Advocate and News or the Appeal to Rea-
son, published at Girard, Kas. can also