Daily Kennebec journal., 1905-02-08

Gum and a direct initiative
Listen to this resolution from the
American Federation of Labor:
Resolved That the American Feder
alton of Labor re-affirns the referen-
dunn resolutions of previous conven-
tons which declares in effect that the
establishment of the peoples sover-
eighty is the dominant issue"
dissolution No. 2,0, Boston conyen-
tion. ana No. IL of New Orleans con-
vention.J
such is the declaration of one-eishtb
of the people of the country thoroaghly
organized into -, 900 local unions: and
these men are demanding the peoples
sovereignty i'll city, state and nation
and are instructing their representa-
tiYeS
Detroit, Buffalo, Geneva, ILL.,, and
Waco. Teas, have tablished the ref
erendum.
a constitutional amendment has been
adopted by Missouri and an amendment
promised in Montana. Twelve of the
10 cong ressmeu from Missouri and 10
.ron Illinois have been pledged.
The GraLgtls in II states have de-
Jared for the peoples sovereignty.
he Episcopal Church Congress of two
wears ago voted unanimously for the
referendum. Recently in California
Two bishops and several ministers and
The president OF IA college addressed ii
.etter to the people of California, call
ing attention to the fact that q consti-
Iutional amendment for the people $
veto and u;rttt initiative would come
before the Legislature. Jan. .. 1908, and
III the letter Was this statement:
Direct legislation is especially val
liable because: First it enables the
majority of the people to initiate de-
'irable legislation. and veto what is
vicious. Second, ii prevents corrupt
bargains. Third, it protects the peo-
lie and remove temptation. Fourth, it
'Gucates the people and makes them
more thoughtful about public affairs
Some Is years ago, the piing up of
state debts was terminated in MANY of
he states by The people enacting that
The issue of state bonds should be an
'ToTeu ny 4 referendum vote
Previous to this termination of the
rule of the few as to the bond issues
heg ro"th of the public debt in the
'nited States from 1890 to 1912 was
l6p per cent. Geo. II. Shibley. author
ity)
The Grange uprising in 1870 and 1874
DrOuSht the railroads under control
nut the United States supreme court
~ a vote OF 6 to 8 reversed itself
transferring to Congress practically all
he controlling power since which time
The corporations have had Il free hand.
TO quote from the Pennsylvania
state Grange publication of August
last.
",fhe monopoly problem divides the
neople into two classes, the monopolists
md the anti-monopolists. The monop-
lists are mighty III power, due to the
'eoIle'S failure to retain veto power
s 20 the acts of their legislative agents
md failure to retain a direct Initiative:
Int whatever the people have taken to
themselves the right to a direct ballot.
hey have unhorSed the monopoliStS."
At Huilalo. y. Y. Il Sunday Afternoon.
,leeting in the Historical building has
'onSidered the three questions for
,rhch referendum petitions are he ng
irculated in that city, namely. Shall
The PEOPLE vote on grants of public
,roperty? Shall we have direct nomi-
cations in buffalo? Shall the city have
IN electric lighting and power plant?
In u statement to the public Albert II.
Jackson Of Buffalo. declares:
Il should like to urge al public-spir-
ted citizens in New York state to work
or the establishment of the referen-
INN by obtaining public opinion upon
rrdin;tl"es like ours and by asking
: heir senators and assemblymen lo
ass Il general public opinion law. Rad
cal legislation will be second. not
through party. new or old. but through
+! he referendum"
AT a recent meeting of a shoe manu-
.acturer'S association in PENNSYLVANIA.
CORNER Congressman Henry ID. Green
aid: "a well-regulated and carefully
'uard"i referendum would be vel
omed by all business men"
Governor Douglas of ssachusetts.
rhO overcome Mr.. Roosevelt s majority
Of 1900. advised a referendum by urs-
ia% the caution Of a commission to de-
jermine the injury to the state of Mas
.;:;chusetts by excessive tariff taxes.
ON Jan. 5. Congressman Baker. speak
ing against the bill for huge expendi-
; ares for the standing army, fortiiica-
iinn and navy. said:
''Mr. Chairman. hope to live to see
he day when even such expenditures
IS this will have to be submitted to Il
vote Of the people"
In the state of Washington, the mas
ter of the State Grange, j. q. Wing,
,ieclared in his annual report, June
l9h3:
Il consider at the present time that
the amending of our state constitution,
providing for the initiative and refer
-ndunI. is the most important thing We
have to consider in the matter of legiS-
!ation.'
Gentlemen the referendum is move
ment OF the people. The Grange ana
:he American Federation of Labor de
clare il to be the dominant issue. today.
1t purities representative government
by holding the representatives reSpon-
sible. IT SupersedeS the rule of the few.
1t prevents graft. il makes og-rollinS
1t puts a Third House out
of business.
If it had been in vogue during the
i,ast 50 years in Maine we would have
out State lands which We're sold for