The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-04-20

desire to limit their own powers and
this agrees with the best political
thought of this day.
Idaho.
One constitutional amendment was
voted on in Idaho providing for a
term of four years for the county
commissioners instead Of two years
and allowing for hold-over commits
sioners. 1t was defeated by 7,4S6 for
to 1924 against, total vote Of under
1900 against total for presidential
electors of over 10000. But then it
was a question of small interest and
probably was not worth more atten-
ton.
Illinois.
AS already stated in the weekly,
four questions were voted on in ILL
nois at the presidential election. The
first was an amendment to the con-
stitution permitting the legislature to
make special charter for the city
of Chicago, but before this could be-
come law, or before an amendment
to it could be made, it must first be
submitted to referendum of the peo-
pie of Chicago and adopted by them.
This was carried over the state by a
vote of 678,393 in favor, to 94,038
against or more than to l. In the
city of Chicago, the vote for it was
254,515 in favor and 1923 against, Or
more than IL to /.
The other three referendums were
on questions of public policy under
the public policy law of Illinois and
because of the petitions signed at the
initiative of the referendum league
of Illinois which has done such valu-
able work in educating the people of
Illinois on direct legislation.
The first was the question of direct
primaries and 590,976 said they want
ed it, and 7S,446 said no. The second
was on the question of municipal d.
rect legislation and 535,501 said yes
and 95,420 said no. The third was on
local option in taxation and local OBJ
ton here is only another name for
direct legislation in taxation and it
carried by 476,7S0 to 140,896. Thus
all of them carried by large MAORI
ties.
In the city of Chicago, the first had
a vote of 230,216 yes and '21,355 no.
The second had 216,243 yes and 25,527
no, and the third had 182,345 yes and
54,569 no, showing that they were car
ried by substantially the same MAORI
ties as over the state. In addition the
city OF Chicago voted on the adoption
OF the Torrens land title law 220,483
yes and 26,733 no, on the adoption of
voting machines 234,938 yes and 28,-
91a no and on the issue of refunding
bonds 225,372 yes and 30,392 no. Thus
the voters of Chicago had seven ques-
lions to decide, four of which meant
the enactment of important laws to
govern themselves.
OF course advocates of direct legis-
lation are greatly pleased with this
increase of direct legislation activity
due very largely to the actual votings
which the league have been able to
secure by using petitions under the
public policy law. The people Of I'LL
nois are being rapidly educated by the
actual use of the referendum. All of
the decisions seem worthy. The Chi
cago American makes the significant
on these votings that "the
vote against the direct primary propo-
sition is little, if any, larger than the
number OF bosses and men who figure
in conventions and benefit
by them" The vote against the other
is little If any larger than |
against the direct primary question; so
we can safely say that it is only the |
politicians and their hangers on that |
voted against these three questions,
all the people want them.
Iowa.
Iowans voted on two amendments; |
he first changed the elections for gov
srnOr, legislature and other state Off
GERS from the odd to the even num-
)ered years and was carried by 1884,
ia to 176,251. The second changed /
he number of members in the legisla-
ure and regulated it's constitution and
vas carried by 1882 to 165,076 The
otal vote on these was about two
birds of the presidential vote though
hey are not questions that would
lrOuse much interest.
Kansas.
Kansas voted on two amendments
leither of any great importance: The