Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1905-06-23
Always the Leading Issue Until Our
Freedom is Gained.

Tor representative, governors. ETC.,
and We think their condition is awful,
and it is. We can I vote on measures.
can't vote directly on issues, but still
we think we are ''freer We don t re.
alize our condition, just like many of
the Russians don't. When our FULL
liberties are obtained, we will look
back with commiseratien on our pres
ent condition. The Massachusetts Re.
ferendum League puts the matter In
very clear way. The following is at
| the head of their membership blanks:
THE MASSACHUSETTS REFERENDUM
LEAGUE.
To Purity Politics aud Establish Pop
ular Government Through the Adj
visory Iniative and the Op.
tional Referendum.
The advisory initiativ means that a
certain per cent--say S--of the voters
shall, upon petition, have the right
to bring any question OF public policy
before the people at regular or
special election. n
The optional referendum means
that before any important legislation
affecting public policy shalt take eff
feet, reasonable time shall be allow
ed that the people may petition for.
and ifpetitioned Tor by a sufficient
number, may vote upon such act a
majority vote against it to constitute
a veto.
The advisory iniativ and the option
al referendum will. as experience has
shown in several states and countries
tend to establish Popular Government
The final power over legislation be-
ing restored to the people, represen-
tatives will have no other object than
to legislate in the interest of the ma
jority rather than the few. Represen-
tatives will be the honest councillors.
advisors and agents of the people.
Purify politics. Monopolists will
cease to make political contributions
and to employ lobbyists. Voters will
be open to reason and argument. Pub
lie spirited citizens will actively in.
terest themselves in politics. as they
do now in town meetings Able ard
honorable men will ottener seek DO
litical honofs. Their public pledges to
the people will not be stultified by
private pledges to bosses.
Educate The People. Electors now
vote tor men rather than measures. If
they voted for measures as well as for
men, they would inform themselves
as to how their interests would be af-
fected by proposed measures. They
would make fewer mistakes in meas
ures than in men.
OBJECTS OF THE LEAGUE.
1. To organize and make effective
the popular sentiment in favor OF
referendum measures, that is, of ma
jority rule.
2. To pledge legislative candidates
for referendum measures.
3. To give publicity to pledges OF
candidates and acts OF representa-
tives.
a. To support pledged candidates
and to defeat unpledged candidates
and unfaithful representatives.
No membership Fees or Dues. Con-
tributions solicited.
Members ITO be signed by voters
only.
Here is part of letter sent out by
some OF the leading citizens OF Boston.
The condition described as existing
in Massachusetts exists in almost
every otner state. Do you realize that
your law makers will not let you vote
directly upon proposed laws or meas
ures? You must leave that to them,
after you elect them. Suppose your
hired man or clerk, or agent should
not permit you to pass upon his work?
1t is so with your law makers. Dur
ing the term tor which you can elect
can do exactly as they please, and
you can't help it. They may do ex-
actly contrary to what they promise,
and you can't help it. True, you can
vote against them next time, but you
FARMERS