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

A YIN 6iffhe away W u runway C0Iu
pany the right to run cars on the side
of the leading thoroughfare-these
citizens, the election returns would
have us believe, have voted against
a veto power for themselves as to
franchise gratis!
Such statement by the election
returns is too great tax on ones
credulity, especially when we know
that in every other election contest
in the land during the past years,
the people, whenever an opportunity
has offered have voted themselves an
increase of power. For example, in
Illinois, just across from Missouri, the
vote of two years ago of whether the
legislature should submit constitu-
tional amendment for a peoples veto
and direct initiative was five to one
for the proposal. At that time the
leading parties did not champion the
measure and the proposition was quite
new in the state
But in Missouri this year the coun-
try has been greatly stirred by the ex-
posture of corruption and the attempt
to defeat the nomination of the man
who has been exposing the corruption.
Furthermore, all the political parties
of the state had declared for the adop-
ton of the peoples veto and direct in
itiative, while both the gubernatorial
candidates had urged the people to &C
cept the proffered increase of power
Yet the election returns would have us
believe that the people deliberately
voted to reject an increase of power
in themselves and to continue the SOW
ereignty of the machine" and the
interests which supply funds to con-
troll it.
Montana.
Two important labor constitutional
amendments were voted on in Mon
tana. The first prohibited the en-
ployment of children under Is years
old in the mines of the state and was
carried by 28,631 to 3,742 against. The
second provided that eight hours shall
constitute a days work in all state
and municipal work and in mills, smell
tiers and mines and it carried by 29,237
to 1884. The sentiment was so near
ly unanimous for both of these that
many voters thought it not worth while
to vote for them as nearly twice as
many votes were cast for presidential
electors.
Nebraska.
The Nebraska legislature said they
thought the constitution needed reyis-
ing and advised the people to vote
IN favor OF the question of calling a
constitutional convention. BY a vote
OF 32,S2O to 23,497 the people ordered
the calling of such convention but
it did not interest many of the voters
as nearly 225,00O ballots were cast for
governor, while only a quarter that
number were cast on this question.
Nevada.
l wrote to the secretary of state
OF Nevada as to all the other state
secretaries asking for copies Of amend
mentS and the vote on them and was
greatly surprised to get very good
general referendum amendment which
was passed March 10, 1901, by the leg
islature and again March 6, 1903, and
voted on November 8, 1904 and car
rieG by a vote of 4,404 in favor to 1874
against save that in Eureka county.
the two sections were voted on sepa- |
rately and the second section received
% less votes in favor and five less
against.
The amendment reads:
Section Whenever 10 per CEN
.um or more Of the voters of this
state, as shown by the number of
votes cast at the last preceding gen.
eral election, shall express their wish
hat any law or resolution made by
he legislature be submitted to vote
IT the people, the officers charged With
he duty of announcing and proclaim-l
ng elections, and of certifying nomi-
lations, or questions to be voted on.
hall submit the question OF. the ap-
'royal or disapproval of said law or
resolution to be voted on at the next
ensuing election wherein state or
officer is to be voted l.
or, or wherein any question may be |,
'oted on, by the electors CT the entire
tate. IL,
Sec. 2.-When a majority of the
electors voting at a state election shall 1,
~ their votes signify approval of /,
law or resolution, such law or reso-
ution shall stand as. the law of the
tate and shall not be overruled. an
lulled, set aside and sllspended or in