The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1902-10-07
WILL FORCE
NEW ISSUE
Labor Unions Demand the Referen-
dun and Warn Candidates.
SAY THEY WILL BLACKLIST ALL

or Its Opponents-Pointed Questions
AS to Attitude on Popular Legisia-
ton Are Sent to Each Candidate
for Seat in the Legislature.
To secure the adoption of the ini-
tiative and referendum in this state
the Montana State Trades and Labor
assembly is questioning the legisla-
tive candidates of all parties concern
ing their attitude toward the propo-
sition. In pamphlet issued from the
sembly sets forth resume of the
plan and states that it will slaughter
every one who does not openly favor
it. To this is appended a a series of
questions, to which answers are to be
filled in blank.
The idea, as set forth by the pam
phlet is to get the initiation under
these conditions: Eight per cent of
the number of voters who cast a bal
lot for governor at the preceding cleo
ton can invoke the initiation of a
law in the legislature. Such laws as
shall be necessary to immediate pre-
servation of the public peace or safe
ty, or such as are needed for the sup
port of the government are excepted
in both this and the referendum.
This latter means to popular legis-
1ation can be invoked, according to
this, by FIVE per cent of those who
voted for governor at the preceding
election,
Besides applying the initiative and
referendum to statute law, the pam
phlet demands their installation in
cities and villages.
1--WE are determined to secure the
adoption of this system in Montana,
and, therefore, are questioning the
legislative candidates of all parties
as to their attitude toward it, says
the pamphlet sThe replies will be
communicated to the members of or
ganized labor and to the public gen
orally. and every possible effort Will
be made to accomplish the defeat OF
such candidates, if any there be, as
may answer unfavorably, or refuse
TO answer. The doctrine of majority
rule is fundamental tenet OF all par
ties. and the candidate who opposes
it is thoroughly un-American. and can
readily be defeated in an open cam
paign along such lines.
esThe members of organized labor
in Montana who hold the balance OF
political power, demand OF you as a
candidate for legislative honors thai
YOU pledge yourself to give the peo-
pie an opportunity or voting upon
constitutional amendment for fhe
termination of the rule of the few,
by putting in force in Montana the
optional initiative and referendum.
October 20, this executive board
will prepare and publish a report of
its work, with statement of the
stand taken by every candidate
whether he agrees to cooperate in
the movement to enforce majority
rule, whether he opposes it openly, or
whether he remains silent. This re-
port will be given the widest publ
city. Every labor union in Montana
has been sent copy of this circular,
and knows that you have been com
municated with.
"In every part of Montana are be-
ing circulated for signatures an
agreement by the voters that they
will vote only for such candidates as
are openly committed to the MAORI
ty rule. In this way enough votes
can be turned in a few days to insure
the defeat of the monopolist's tool,
Further and other measures as
may be deemed necessary will be
taken before November A."
These are the lines on which the
Montana State Trades and Labor as
sembly announces that it intends to
secure the submission of the question
to the voters. In its pamphlet the
assembly mentions the names OF
prominent men who have declared
in favor of the initiative and refer
endum It asks that answers to the
questions be returned to it's headquar
tiers at Butte by October 15. eve dc
not WISH" says the pamphlet, ito re
port that, because you have made nc
reply, you are against the majority
rule, and subsequently be obliged tt
set you right before the people"