The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1906-04-25
BATTLE HAS BEGUN

BATTLE HAS BEGUN
'The owners of every private
monopoly in the land" continued
Secretary Morrison, "are beginning
to realize that national battle for
the peoples rights, along new lines,
has opened. The program though
1t Is now to most of Il e monopo-
lists and to many of the politicians
and newspaper men is really sever
al years old, and already has won
great number of victories, with
promises of pronounced victory
this year, now that the peoples re-
volt against machine rule has
spread so thoroughly and there is
an increased interest in our pro-
gram, and the further fact that
there is no presidential campaign
to divert the popular interest"
PEOPLE HAVE POWER
When asked for details Mr.. Nor
rison said: "The victories referred
to are those for the establishment
in the people of right to a direct
vote on public questions-the In
itative and Referendum and the
Advisory Initiative and Advisory
Referendum. The establishment
of the system transfers the sover-
eign authority from the party in
power to the people. Tie peoples
right to this fundamental reform
has been wrung from the legisla-
lures in Delaware, illinois, Texas,
Oregon, South Dakota, Montana,
and Utah, with the referendum
established in Nevada; also with
three-fifths of the legislature pledg-
ed in Ohio, and with vote In the
Massachusetts House Of 90 to 2,
while success this year is assured
in Maine and other states, besides
the brilliant prospects for the ma
tional campaign.
QUESTIONING NOMINEES
"The procedure whereby the peo-
pies right to a direct ballot on pub
lie questions has been and is being
secured is primarily through non
partisan organizations, such as
trades unions, referendum leagues,
oranges, and farmers unions. They
are not only demanding In general
terms that the peoples sovereignty
be re-established but are question
ing the nominees of the party ma
chimes and are PUBLISHING xheir re-
plies. This raises the issue and
gives it publicity and the voters do
the rest.
"For example last year in Ohio
the candidates for the legislature
were questioned and the Democrats
all pledged favorably while most of
the Republicans refused to pledge
and the result was that enough Of
the Republicans scratched their
tickets to elect a Democratic ma
jority In the Senate and almost
Democratic majority in the House.
The Democratic representation In
the Senate was increased nearly
ATS per cent.
SHOULD BE SUCCESS
This year, owing to the favor
able conditions | have outlined,
there should be unquestioned sue
cess. | am informed that represen-
tative men among the business and
professional interests are organi-
zlng themselves into Referendum
Leagues by counties and it is ex-
pected that every district in the
country will soon have its league.
Farmers State organizations In at
least sixteen states have declared
for the initiative and referendum
and every local Granger and Farm
ers' Union will unquestionably
stand for the time-honored right to
instruct representatives.
ESTABLISHED THIS YEAR
Heretofore the initiative and ref
erendum cause has lacked an inn
portant feature that Is supplied in
this years program, namely, the in
itiative system is to be established
at the opening of the next congress
and of the several legislatures, by
| pledging candidates 10 vote for
rules of procedure and statute law,
and then some initiative bills are
to be Immediately filed. This OPP
portunity for an immediate change
in the system of government to be
followed at once by majority rule
legislation is certainly enticing and
II comes at a most opportune time.
The local monopolists are extreme
ly autocratic while the railway and
other monopollsts have combined
with the unfair employers to pre-
vent the termination of government
by injunction and other iniquities.
AS between employer and en-
ployees they have set aside trial
by jury and other provisions OF
fraa unyarumant Orpari1ad lahar