Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1899-06-15
CHAPTER FOUR.
OF the Series Of Papers On Direct
Legislation by the People.
A Reform That Is Only Delayed Be
cause II IL Not Understood.


the documents upon which the people
record the form Of government desired
il is evident that the people should not
be hindered from altering said constitu-
tions whenever, in their opinion, the
progress Of the time or past experience
make amendments desirable. An over
whelming majority Of voters favor direct
election Of United States senator's, for
instance.
In California, where the question Of
direct election was referred 10 the voters
Of the state, fourteen out Of every fifteen
voters declared for this reform This
sentiment, apparently prevails in all the
states; yet, nobody can tell when our
supposed Legislative servants will permit
an amendment 10 our federal constitu-
tion in accord with this modest desire Of
the people, How are the people 10 get our
federal constitution amended when con-
gress is the only body that can legally
offer an amendment or call a constitu-
tional convention for that purpose but
refuses 20 do so2
Where is our boasted peoples govern
ment when a measure favored by four
teen out Of every fifteen voters cannot
be enacted2 Will the advocates Of our
present Indirect legislation expain2
Our cohgresemen are aware Of the fact
that by the terms Of our federal const-
tuition the people are practically locked
In, with the key in the hands Of the
monopolsts.
John Sherman, when United States
senator, in letter dated June %, 1891, !
and wriited 10 Hon. Il. NJ Widney Of
California, said In part: "As 10 a con-
stitutional amendment, while It'll the |
best way 10 accomplish a thorough |
change in our financial system, do not |
think II practicable under the terms Of |
our constitution, which requires the /
consent Of two-thirds Of both houses Of /
congress and three-fourths Of the states.
A .ohange in the constitution can be
brought about by some great convu.
sion Of war"
Think Of that, dear readers. II takes a
bloody war 10 chadge our federal consti-
tuition, according TO John Shcrman's
letter, which was published by Mr..
Widney.
A constitution under which the people
have 10 go 10 butchering each other
as preparation for amendment might
be handy instrument for barbarous
cannibals, but II can hardly be the
proper instrument for civilized,
Christian nation. No wonder that
majority Of our voters already demand
the simple, common sense method Of
amending constitutions, adopted in
Switzerland, where any amendment 10 q
the federal constitution demanded by
u petition OF 500 } voters has to be- r.. !
ferred TO all the voters at the following
election, and goes In force II endorsed by
a majority Of those voting upon the
question and by majority of the 22 =
states.
However, the most democratic form Of =
government by the ballot Of any state b,
IN earth has been adopted In the Swiss
state of Zurich, whose population just D
'bout equals that of our own State oi
oregon. The constitution OF Zurich, of y
which have an official copy, presents
IN interesting study for people who love (,
reedom and justice, and Is therefore 81
'ood reading for United States people. .,
The following are the various methods :,
" which legislative acts can now be- in
reduced and passed in that state: lC
!. Members Of the Legislature can in. a
roduce and pass legislation, but they 70
annot put any law, amendment to the 81
oastiiution, or appropriation above
xed sum In force, even temporarily, ~
ntil endorsed at the polls by major se
y OF the voters, and any measure thus
ndorsed is constitutional. og
? state officials Estate CabineD can as
itroduce laws AZ sessions Of the legisla- n,
ire. al
B. A proposition must be- referred 10
vote OF the people II demanded by ou
etltion OF 5000 voters or Il at precinct
'eetings, az least 1900 voters declare
lemsclyes in favor Of such PROPOSE ca
on, "a
4, One citizen or delegate can intro. =
nee a proposition OF law and advocate lal
10 same in person before the legisla. as
ire, provided twenty members of the o..
gIslature support a request Tor such ~
roceedurc, aud II one-third OF the legis. m,
ture endorses the proposition il goes uo
a vote At the polls, How handy peo. ca
e will hN things when they can, is M,
IoNn by the fact that in Zurich voters !
ho do not care 90 70 "a the polls can sat
nd their ballot by mail, together with A..
o citizen paper, and have the citizen br,
per again sent hack To them after cot
'ction. Voting by mail without leay. hel
< the home would remove good -
any objections brought against woman ma
iirage, il seems. the
ID will be observed that Swiss consti. 10
lions are eompacts adaptable 20 W., us,
angling neels and progressive people, sue
d not almost Interchangeable honds SAT-
Q ours, holding us 10 iorm of gov. s@ue @
lmens which Ne have long since out his
'wn by our advancement in intelli. ful
loe, industry and commerce. Appar. day
lly, the people oi the United states 'rs i,s