Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06
that the American people will tolerate
a return to wildcat bank money.
DIRECT LEGISLATION.
A Conservative Paper on This Populist
Measure.

| Measure.
Commenting on the direct legisla-
ton amendment to the constitution oil
South Dakota, which was placed there
by the Populists and their free silver
allies, that eminently respectable jour-
nal, the Chicago Record, says:
South Dakota Is the first state in
the Union to adopt the system Of d.
rect legislation by the people. AL
though the official returns have not
been received, it Is conceded that the
constitutional amendment making pro-
vision for the use of the initiative and
referendum was approved by popular
vote at the election of Nov. s.
THE principle Of the referendum has
long been recognized by American
states in connection with constitution
al enactments, and it's use in that con-
nection has been productive of most
satisfactory results. OF late there has
been growing tendency on the part
Of legislatures to submit to popular
vote measures Of Importance relating
especially to certain sections of the
state, such as the larger cities; but
such action has always BEEN optional
on the part Of the Legislature. The peo-
pie have possessed no power to COM
pei the submission to them Of certain
questions, except In so far as they
could influence their representatives
to respect the popular will. The people
OF South Dakota, however, have now
put into operation a plan whereby the
popular will can be given expression
in law regardless Of the Indifference
or hostility Of the legislative body.
More important than that, they can
prevent the enactment Of any law
by an INSCRIPTIONS legislative MAORI
ty in defiance Of public sentiment.
THE plan which has been made
part OF the constitution Of South Da-
kota provides that when a particular
piece Of legislation Is demanded by s
per cent of the qualified voters of the
state that proposition must be submit
ted by the legislature to the people at
the next ensuing general election. II
approved by the people, 1t becomes a
law. II the legislature passes an act
to which there is popular objection,
that act must be submitted to the peo-
pie at the next regular election, II Pc
titioned for by 5 per cent Of the quail
flied voters. II approved by popular
vote, 1t stands. II not, It fails to be-
come law. Under the South Dakota
plan, therefore, the people have the
power Of absolute veto over all unpop-
ular legislation.
1T cannot be doubted that the refer
endum system adopted by South Da-
kota will be productive Of satisfactory
results in the main. Experience will
be valuable chiefly in demonstrating
how large percentage of the voters
should make demand in order to re-
quire the submission of proposition
to popular vote. When it is desirable
that the important questions be SUBJ
mitted, at the same time 1t is not we'll
that power be given an inconsequential
minority to consume the time Of the
people in voting on propositions con-
corning which there is substantial una
nimity Of sentiment. 1t may be that
the petition Of a larger proportion Of
the voters than 5 per cent should be
required in order to secure submis-
sion."