The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-05-02
MAJORITY RULE
GETS IMPETUS
SEVERAL STATES CONSIDERING
the INITIATIVE AND REFER
ANDUM WITH FAVOR.
Looks Favorable in Old Bay State,
No Labor Legislation until Direct
Legislation IL Had.

FOSSTON, MASS, April 30-Special
correspondence. In Massachusetts, 674
unions have petitioned the Legislature
to submit to the people q constitution
al amendment ernbodying the initiative
and referendum. Numerous secretaries,
wrote to their representatives, and
many committees waited upon men,
bers, urging support for the measure
A careful personal canvas was made
of both Houses. Three largely attend
ed hearings was held before the COM
mittee on constitutional amendments,
at which the supporters made vigor-
Gus appeal for a. chance for the people
to control their own government. The
result was a, favorable report by nine
out OF the eleven members of the COM
nlittee. Favorable action is expected
in both Houses.
In California one measure providing
for direct legislation in State matters,
received a majority Of IS to 4; and
another providing for the initiative and
referandum in the city and county
matters was approved by IS to /. But
both bills were beaten in the Senate
The amalmagated copper monopoly
is credited with the defeat of d. prom
Using effort for direct legislation in
Montana.
Constitutional amendments providing
for direct legislation are pending in
Missouri and Illinois, with fair pros
poets of success.
Los Angeles and Denver approved
charters containing initiative and ref
erandum clauses in December and Nov
ember last. This completes the chain
of larger cities on the Pacific coast. all
of which enjoy direct legislation.
Two states voted on this question last
year. In Illinois the vote was only
advisory, having no effect except to
Indicate the peoples wishes. Major
tiles in favor ranged from s to l. In
Oregon the vote was effective, adopt
ing a direct legislation amendment to
the constitution by more than 10 to l..
Gratifying progress is being made,
but it would be greatly accelerated
could the voters realize how complete
ly they have been deceived by the
boasted mockery of government "by
the people," Notwithstanding the
spread eagle campaign oratory of a
hundred years, the supreme court has
decided that we have not, in fact a
government by the people, never had
one, nd ii WA s. nev intended that
8
on s
1nent control1eds by# the voters; =: rep
resentative"' government is now held to
be the, proper thing, and this view is
strenuously upheld by monopolists,
corporation attorneys, corrupt poll
ticians and few others. A govern
ment really by the people, they declare,
would be nothing more or less than mob
rule. That's the way they regard the
masses who support them.
These classes control legislation under
representative government. That is
! the reason labor bills go begging, while
corporation laws slide easily through
Until this state of affairs is remeded,
no legislative advance worth while can
be made by the labor movement. The
only remedy is for the people to legis-
late for themselves.
To stimulate and unity the union SEN
tin1ent in favor of this measure so vital
to- us all, circulars and petitions are
being sent to local unions all over the
country. They should receive prompt
and hearty response.
HENRY STERLING.