Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-06-23
InItlntlve and Referendurn.

Initiative and Referendum.
, AZ the general election Of next Novem-
Der the people of Delaware will have the
opportunity Of expressing their views,
through the ballot, upon the question Of
instituting the initiative and referendum
as a part OF the legislative machinery in
this State. The proceeding will be
merely tentative, as the law providing
for this feature Of the election stops at
giving the people the opportunity Of
expressing their views. Il does not pro-
vide that the expression, no matter
whether favorable or uniavorable, shall
be followed by effective legislation.
The popular expression will be in the
form Of a special ballot, containing this
question:
"sha1 the General Assembly Of the
State Of Delaware provide a system of
advisory initiative and advisory refer
endum ?"
Those who vote on this question will
make answer, either 'Yes," or mo" by
cross mark in the appropriate square.
Voting on the question is not compul-
sory, and those who do not feel sufficient
interest TO make an expression OF opinion
may ignore this feature Of the election.
While the duty Of taking subsequent
action is not enioined upon the General
Assembly, it is reasonable 10 hold that
the affirmative answer Of majority of
the voters Of the State would be followed
by favorable legislation az the ensuing
session Of the Legislature.
lt win be well, therefore, for the people
70 give consideration 20 the subject, In
order to determine how they shall vote,
in the event that they think Il worth
while to vote at all.
The system Of the initiative and refer.
endum is designed to place the power Of
legislation directly IN the hands Of the
people. That is; If they desire any
law which the Legislature refuses or
neglects to enact, they may secure it
through the agency Of a direct vote upon
the measure. If they oppose any law
passed by the Legislature, they may
defeat it by putting il to the test Of
direct vote. Elections for the purpose
Of securing these tests may be secured
through the petition Of proportion Of
the votes-5 or 10 per cent, according
TO general custom-but a majority vote
is necessary to either the adoption or
defeat of a law. In some instances. the
recall is joined TO the initiative and refer
endum, by which, on vote secured in
like manner, any public officers whose
official conduct proves unsatisfactory to
the required proportion Of the people of
the State, county OF district, may be
compelled TO submit TO the test of another
election, and be removed by an adverse
vote.
The general objections to the initiative
and referendum are that Il substitutes
for representative government a system
Of direct government by the people: that
1t tends to a multiplicity of elections thus
adding to the cost OF government; and
that il impairs the stability OF legislation.
Therefore, it will be the duty Of those
who favor the innovation to enlighten
the people fully as to all benefits that
may sttach to it, before they can expect
them 20 vote for such radical change in
the legislative system OF the State.
The system Of the initiative and refer.
endum was established in Oregon in 1902
and Immediately thereafter two initiativ,
petitions were circulated one for q
direct nomination system and the Other
for local option on liquor licenses. Boti
were adopted at the next election.
In Delaware the direct nomination
ystem has prevailed in New Castl,
county for years. and has been leealigec
by legislative enactment without tn,
Intervention Of petition and specia
election. Kent and Sussex counties ma,
have direct nominations whenever IN,
party managements there desire them
and they may have their primaries legal
lzed, as in New Castle county. simpl,
by making request OF tho Legislature.
As % local option, provision for an oN
preston Of the people upon the question
Of whether or not licenses shall be granite.
for the sale Of intoxicating Liquors i
clearly made In the Constitution Of tn.
State The people whenever they choose
at the regular biennial elections, may cleo
Senators and Representatives who vii
be bound to vote for local option. Tn
fact that the friends OF local option hav,
twice been buncoed in their desire for
local option election through The treacheri
Of disreputsblo elements with which thel
entered into political alliance Is no argu