Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1899-09-14
The REFERENDUM USE
EXTENT TO WHICH APPLIED IN
UNITED STATES.
SIany Important Matters which Can
Only BIO Decided by n Direct Vote of
tho People and which arc Therefore
Outside the power of Legislatures.

In tho Arena for July Mr. A. A.
Brown summarizes instances Of the
referendum as practical measure in
actual use With the experience OF
Switzerland all who have read about
the referendum Mt all are more or less
familiar, but most Americans, oddly
enough, have very imperfect knowl'
edge Of the extent to which the refer
endum is applied in the United States.
Constitutional amendments, II is true,
are referred directly to the people for
q vote in every state but one; this,
however, is only one Of many applica-
tions OF the principals in our Political
life.
I'm fifteen states the location OF
the capital cannot be changed by act
OF the legislature, but must so to tho
people direct In seven states bank.
ing institutions can only be organized
by vote of the people. In eleven
states no debts can be incurred except
such as are provided for specifically
In the several constitutions, In many
states no rate Of assessment exceeding
q figure proportionate to the aggrc-
gate valuation Of the taxable property
can be imposed without the consent Of
the people by direct vote. Illinois
cannot by legislative enactment sell
Its state canal, The state OF Mime
sofa cannot pay any part Of its debts
incurred by the building Of the Mime.
sofa ,ailrond or pay its interest with
out first referring to the people.
North Carolina cannot employ the
credit of the state in aid OF corpora
tons or industrial enterprises without
Hrst submitting tho proposition to the
electors by the vote of her people
only could Colorado adopt woman suf-
lrage or create debt for public build.
tngs. The people of Texas can select
location for n college for colored
youth. Wyoming cannot choose sites
for state institutions until her electors
first determine by vote where they
shall be situated"
There are many county, city, town
ship and school district referendums
Nineteen state constitutions guarantee
to counties the right to Ak by vote of
tho citizens tho location OF county
0eatA
"Without the referendum certain
southern communities may not make
harbor improvements, and other com
munities may not extend local credit
TO railroad, water transportation and
similar corporations The prohbitlon
Of the liquor business in city or
county is often left to popular vote;
indeed, local option Is the comnonest
form Of the referendum In Califor-
MIA any city with more than 10, 900 in
habitants may frame a charter fer its
own government which, however,
must be approved by the Legislature.
Under this law Stockton, San Jose,
Los Angeles and Oakland have ac-
qnired new charters. In the state of
Washington cities of 10000 may make
their own charters without tho legis.
lature having any power to vote.
Largely then, such cities make their
own laws"
I'm Ohio the referendum IL employ
ed BY municipal corporations In vOting
for improvements OF streets, sidewalks,
for bond issues, for sewerage, electric
lighting, etc. With this form Of tho
referendum our people are already ia
miliar They have witnessed the Poo
pie going to the polls and voting GA a
measure of common interest, partisan
ship having no part in the contest,
politicians boipS ignorOdI tho good Of