The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1900-09-18
AN APPEAL TO AMERICAN CITIZENS.

their own laws, unhampered bv
trust bosses. By it, the people be-
come directly and personally re-
sponsible for each law, because they
have the power to veto or make any
law.
We call on youa as delegate to your
party convention and as citizen of
u country, to sustain direct legis-
lation wherever it exists, in town
meeting in municipal or State affairs
whether it is expressed by show of
hands or by ballot through the in
itiative and referendum.
More than this we call on YOU TO
promote the extension of direct legis-
lation to National legislation and
Federal affairs by inserting a direct
legislation plank in the National
platform of your party.
The initiative means the proposal
OF a law by petition of a percentage
of the voters affected thereby.
The referendum means the vote at
the polls on a law proposed by the
initiative, or on a measure passed bv
the legislature.
The initiative tells the legislature
and the people what some of the peo-
pie want. The referendum is the
answer of the whole body to a par
ticular proposition.
Direct legislation, therefore, en-
ables the voters to deal with laws
themselves, not merely with law
makers. 1t saves the legislator from
making mistakes as to the will of the
people on any question. It turns
mems minds from mere personalities
to fundamental principles. 1t in
vests the ballot with a new dignity
and places politics on a higher plane.
All patriots can agree on direct
legislation, on this simple, this e1e-
mentary, this scientific invention in
political machinery which has been
borne and developed from the purest
ideals of self government.
The only objections which can be
raised against direct legislation are
those which spring from a distrust
of the people. If popular self-gov-
eminent is right and practical, then
direct legislation is right and prac-
teal; for the latter is merely the
natural expression of the former.
Direct legislation is no new thing
in this country.
We have always had it here.
In 1913, the articles of Union,
framed by the United Colonies of
New England were referred to the
approval of the voters. Never has
the principle been allowed to fall
into disuse.
Today it is in practical application
in many State, county and municipal
governments.
Except in Delaware all COnstitu-
tiOnal amendments are submitted to
the referendum.
South Dakota now has full direct
legislation. It was adopted in 1898,
as a Constitutional amendment, by a
vote of more than two to one.
The legislatures of Oregon and
Utah have passed d. L. COnstitu-
tional amendments which the people
of these States will vote on in due
time. In no case, we're these amend
ments party measures, but were ap-
proved by a majority of the legisla-
tors made up from members of all
political parties.
San Francisco has it in it's charter.
Many more illustrations might be
given.
Direct legislation will not be OPP
posed by any American citizen who
endorses the declaration of Jeffer-
son that the people are capable OF
self government and who holds to
Lincoln's idea that this should be ga
government of the people, by the
people and for the people"
While direct legislation by means
of the initiative and referendum is
still in it's infancy in this country,
it's astonishing results in Switzer-
land, the land of it's origin, are mani
fest to all men.
The referendum started in 1880 in
the Canton of st. Gall, the initiative
in 1916 in the Canton of Vaud. Since
those dates the two institutions have
marched in a triumphal tour through
the Swiss Republic until they have
been adnnted in the Federal COnsti-