The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-08-30
'"'A'T 9R f DfRE REFE E&&IsH 44,ou

Is sef-goVernment right? If so, the
referendum and initiative follow. I be-
ieve In government for the sake of
justice, manhood, education, Develop
ment, and, therefore, I believe I'M the
referendum, the most promising means
of enabling the people to evert g. more
real and effective control over legisla-
ton, whereby we may hope to secure
a more perfect government by and for
the people,.
Direct legislation means simply an
actual instead of a mere theoretic SOW
ereignty of the people. eW are gov
erned to-day, not by q democracy, but
by an elective aristocracy holding for
a. term. The people are sovereign only
at the moment of election-the men
they elect become their masters for
one, two, four, six years, as the case
may be. Self-government is one thing
the choosing of the men who are to
govern you is very different thing.
A child may choose it's guardian. A
slave might be given a voice in the
selection Of his master and yet be abso-
lute1y a slave after the choice were
made.
Power will be used in the interests
Of it's possessor. If the power of gov
eminent is to be used in the interests
of the people, they must have con-
tinuous and effective possession of the
government. We call our legislators
"agents'' and the people their ''princi-
pap-queer agents who can give away
principals property despite his pro-
test, and are not responsible to him
during their term of service; queer
prin cipal that cannot veto his
"agents'" plans, no matter how much
he objects to them, nor instruct his
agents what to do whenever he sees
fit, nor discharge said agents when they
refuse to carry out his orders; queer
principal who has to obey the
'agents" instead of giving them orders.
Legislatures and city, councils not
infrequently submit to the people ques-
tons Of importance an which they
wish to enact an honest law, but they
never submit q franchise steal to the
people; when they are acting from
honest motives they often, find the ref
erendum very helpful in coming to a
wise and just conclusion, but when
they are acting from. corrupt and sell
fish motives they have no use for the
referendum. Valuable gas, electric
light and street railway franchises
would not be. given away to lobbying
corporations if we had the referendum.
I like to sum up a few of the prob
able benefits of direct legislation by
predicting that the initiative and refer
endum. -
/. Will substitute a real self-gov-
eminent for an elective aristocracy.
2. Will put a check on corrupt leg
islation.
3. Will destroy the lobby-it will
no longer bribe legislators who can
not deliver the goods.
4. Will open the door Of progress
and reform.
s. Will simplify elections, center
ing each vote on single measure, in
stead Of conglomerate platform mixed
with personal considerations respect
ing a number of candidates.
6. Will simplify the law.
Z. VIII aid the enforcement Of law.
8. Will save the cost of innumerable
impotent petitions, abortive investiga-
tons. lobby expenses, needless second
houses, excvessive printing of special
laws, local acts. etc.
= 9. Will elevate the press by direct
ing discussion to measures disconnect-
ed from men and affairs.
10. Will elevate the profession of
politics and bring better men into Of
flee.
: II. Will educate the people as no
other institution can.