The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-04-25
SOMR GRRAT MIN ON A GREAT
QUESTION.

These people who sneer at the initia'
tive and referendum and its advocates.
should remember that it numbers
among it's supporters some Of the
country's ablest thinkers
William D. can Howells, the renowned
novelist says, briefly but pointedly:
81 am altogether in favor Of the mi
tiative and referendum"
Lyman Abbott, the widely known
theological writer, endorses 1t and
says:
I'm my judgment the remedy for the
evils of democracy is more democ-
racy"
Henry D Lloyd, whose book,
wealth Against Commonwealth"
startled the nation, after a careful re
view of the evils to be overcome, says:
Direct legIslation-the initiative
and referendum-must b9 supported
by every true believer in free govern
ment."
Frederick Upham Adams, editor Of
the New Time, says:
THE people should not be compelled
to surrender their rights to q repre-
sentative. 1t may be policy to
transact certain routine work by a rep
resentative body, but in all laws, issues
and large expenditures, in which the
whole people are interested, and by
which they must be governed the PEG
pie should cast the vote, yes or no. = r
There should be no higher authority
than the people,"
Hon. John Lind, the Democratic
Governor Of Minnesota, in his recent
message to the Legislature of that
State, said:
Under the new economic conditions
which have obtained and which have
made capital, through organ z alton,
such a potent factor IN society and in
legislation, it has become necessary
that the Individual citiz an SHOULD be
given more efficient means for his pro
lection. The exclusively representa-
tive method is nc longer a safeguard
as has been 50 prominently demon
strated In tia ra3ent franchise scandals
in one OF our sister States. Instances
Of similar character, tho not so fla
grant, are not wanting in our history.
The only remedy, it seems to me,
against such abuses, ia to afford the
people q constitutional method by
which they can initiate needed reforms
by direct action, or the one hand, and
exercise the veto power on question
able or corrupt legislation on the other.
This involves the introduction of no
new princi oles in our form of govera
ment. There are no stronger reasons
for trusting the people to pass upon
men than upon measures. We do not
think so in regard to constitutional
enactments, which is legislation in it's
highest and most important form. The
people now have the power to initiate
reforms, and legislation in the matter
of locating county seats, and in soma
municipal undertakings. This power,
with proper restrictions as to the time
and frequency Of its exercise, should
be extended to other important ques
tions. By the provisions Of our COZ
stitution the people now have the veto
power at the polls on any legislation
by which it is proposed to change our
present laws governing railroad tax,
alton We are, therefore, already com
mitted to the principle involved in the
second branch of the question. The
constitution could, and in my judg-
ment should, be so amended as to en-
able a minority in the legislature, by
appropriate action, to refer enactments,
at least such as extend corporate priv.
Ileges or authorize the granting of
tranchis %, to a vote Of the people be
fore becoming operative"