Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-03-09
MONDAY EVENING. MARCH ., 1903
INITIATIVE AND RREFEREnDuM.

4teyCiutlCnS seldom go
Reforms once asserted are apt to en-
gage public attention, demanding more
and more public consideration, until
they are adopted. if meritorious.
True reforms often more slowly.
but in most cases none the less surely.
There is. first, the period of sugges-
ton, then OF opposition, agitation, dis
cussion and finally a of adoption.
The greatest Of reform movements,
those which promised most for the well
fare ri the country, have in the begin
ming met with the severest oppo-
sition.
So IL was with civil service reform.
II required long years OF agitation, of
advocacy and argument to modify the
spells system in office, and to secure
the adoption of the merit system in
The departments of government.
IN tariff reform it is the same. The
favored industries, those which
are growing rich by ex-
t%ortionate prices. coming as
St& ltNblt Vi lODDCl tdiAsy
under the Hoax of so-called protection,
have always gathered their clans and
fought on TO the last possible hour,
rcfolms in tariff schedules.
The same is true also of the initia-
tive and referendum.
This measure of government by the
people. for the people. has now bee
for zen years before the country and
il is making gradual Roadway.
At first the idea was denied. Then
Ii secured the attention of thoughtful
men and women and was considered.
More lately il received the endorse
ment of a great and powerful party.
and discussion among the people,
gaining favor as discussion continued,
To-day the state of Colorado is con-
sidering The ACCESSIBILITY Of so amend
ing the state constitution, as to en-
graft on the fundamental law OF the
state the initiative and referendum.
IL is proposed by a large number,
presumably the majority. Of the men,
bers OF the Colorado legislature, now
in session at Denver, to submit the
question of initiative and referendum
TO a vote of the people; that is, to
give the people at the polls the Oppor- |
tunity to say whether they do or do
net want a law to that effect.
No question of more Importance has !
fer a long time been discussed by a !
legislative body.
What Is this new doctrine?
II is plain and easily
stood. ""ee'
i' Is simply the right OF the peon,a
10 enact their own laws.
II provides that a law b.
n = given number Of
petition, asking thar framed
mifted to the e,~ ,esai voters
4nce or res -dch a law be sub.
M the -ctors for their accept.
- lection that the same shall
next ensuing election be result
-...tted. If a majority of the ele>sess
vote in favor of the law, the Governor
issues his proclamation announcing
the result. and the assure become.
2 law Of the land. In the, same wa.
"ohoNious law > may be repealed.
- sss .em has been tried in Swift
cflan.. ana il there works admirably
So Il will in this country. Sooh
system gives effect 10 the VIM OF IN
people. They legislate..
Their voice becearea rctc-
stead of reelectir~ i
oi re" agents in the for
santatives. who all too or
.m;apv and untrue. the people Tue
se.ves pass directly on puoiic ""
r-naer our present system menus
mo legislature are selected % "a
-. All 100 often they forget
r,,hl;c good and legislate for indis
nails aud party interests
The legislature. instead OF Deco"
se,,herative body. fair and impart
OTTO, becomes a political machine'
,rcroase fees and salaries. make =
otices and provide soft snaps TOT
ii,ieal friends.
-rne paople are powerless. but v
- initiative and referendum
agent stands aside and the pee
act :
The public should study This q
t;cr II to keep power In
banas az Individual electors
ri is 10 be hoped VIII
his experiment and demonstrate
nracticability and usefulness.