The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-03-18
LABOR MAN WRITES ON
DIRECT LEGISLATION
Continued from page I,

Continued from page 1.
expended at will. II. therefore, we have
round that representative bodies do not
always represent, ana that capitalistic
influences can shape and control legis-
latlon. INV hat direction may we rea-
sonably look for a safeguard? The on
~ answer seems to be by providing
that important questions Of public pol
icy may, on proper petition. be decided
by the general suffrage.
No sound argument can be brought
against this course, except we assume
that the voters are incompetent to un-
derstand and therefore safely pass up
on political questions. That small
minority may be justly subject to this
criticism Is perhaps true; but that the
ignorant or corrupt voter can ever have
controlling weight is only the night
mare of those who mistrust all repub-
ltcan government.
Bill is Not a Cure-AIl.
These considerations have impelled
the executive council of the State Fed
Grafton of Labor to offer to the legis-
lature, with their endorsement, a bill
proposing system of advisory initia-
tive and referendum. 1t is not offered
as a cure-all for the many political
evils that now afflict society. but as
practical and conservative step in the
way Of reform, worthy of considera-
ton and adoption.
The principle of the referendum is
already recognized in the reference of
constitutional amendments to g. vote of
the people. Why not make it possible
to demand the submission to popular
vote OF any law affecting important
questions of public policy? And why
not also give the people the right to
propose legislation Of wide general in
terest? The system of home-rule
charters for municipalities, as provid-
er for in Minnesota, and which, no
doubt, will finally be accepted by prac-
t1cally all the cities of the state. gives
the right of initiative by a petition of
voters. The same conditions which
make the initiative valuable in city
governments will apply equally to the
state at large.
"One of the first essentials Of good
government is that it shall be In ac-
cord with general public sentiment. It
follows that there should be means pro-
v1ded for expressing such sentiment in
the fullelst and most accurate manner;
ana when once expressed, it should be
impossible for the government to act
Tor any length Of time in opposition to
the wishes Of majority. Purely rep
resentatlve government has 50 far not
fully met this definition Of good gov
eminent
Law Making Bodies are Unresponsive.
1T will perhaps be instructive to
note some OF the instances in which the
national congress has remained persist
emily unresponsive to well-known pub
lie sentiment. These are given by way
of illustration, believing that the same
failure to ascertain or heed the real
wishes OF the people exists in the gov
ernments Of the several states. al
though, of necessity, in regard to less
important questions
AS the first example we will take
the manner Of electing United States
senators. For years there has been g.
strong sentiment In favor Of their be-
Ing chosen by popular vote in each
AA AS~NSS ~ 6OAOIdl udS LHlS
opinion become that the result Of a d.
rect referendum would probably be
practically unanimous in favor of TAX
ing from the state legislatures
power that they have so often abused.
Yet no step has been taken by con-
gress towards submitting for ratifica-
ton to the several states the constitu-
tlonal amendment necessary to bring
about this reform.
Another example of ignoring we'll
known public opinion is offered by the
federal laws covering the carrying of
parcels by mail. Any attempt at
allowing cheap service,
similar to that now enjoyed in Great
Britain and Germany, has, without ex-
ception, been defeated in congress by
the powerful influence of the express
and so we continue to pay
them unnecessary tribute, amounting
to millions of dollars annually. But If
q question Of this kind could be acted
upon directly by the people the result
would never be in doubt.
Y. 8. Senate Opposed to People.
IAN object lesson is also offered BY
the struggle now going on to bring the
and trusts under adequate
government control. The people are
thoroughly aroused on the subject.
Yet Is may be years before any really
effective legislation is had, as an inso-
ent and non-representative senate can
stand in the way indefinitely.
But it is not necessary to further
cite instances where our legislative
bodies have failed to fairly or ade-
luately respond to public sentiment.
Not only the national congress, but al
most every state legislature and city
offer continuing examples.
Another phase Of this question that !
should not be overlooked is the educa-
tional value Of a system Of initiative |
and referendum. If the people are
given a direct control over the making
Of laws, interest in public affairs is
stimulated The theory of |
our government is that there is no gov
erning class-n0 class endowed with |
special political rights. Although this |
has not proven so true in practice as in
theory vet we feel sure that M a,,hdi.