Evening journal., 1906-11-05
VOTE YES FOR
THE |. And R. LAW
President dupont, Of League
Urges Voters TO Support
the Measure
FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT


Fdiror Tho Evening Journal
SIR The progress Of tho world as
far as we arc able 10 trace it has been
from that form Of government in which
q few people make all tho laws to-
ward that in which all may If they
wish take part in it. In every case
without exception where o few people
nave made the laws they have delib-
erctely enriched themselves and inn
poverished the masses What better il
ustration Of this could we have than
the contrast between the conditions in
this country and those in Russia. In
this country we have representation;
in Russia the Czar will not even let
the people have advisory representation.
Here also we have an illustration OF
the fact that under government by a
few people conditions become progress
sively worse until a revolution is in
evitable.
Representative government guarded
by tho Initiative and Referendum has
the very opposite effect. II is the only
safeguard against a revolution. Give
the people a chance to feel themselves
free citizens of a state with real
voice in its affairs and they can never
blame anyone for conditions. There
can be no class hatred, and none Of the
anarchistic tendencies which exist in a
country like Russia, where the aristC-
cracy makes all the laws and where the
peasants are even restricted from own
ing land.
With the Initiative and Referendum
in force, our representatives become
statesmen instead Of politicians, their
L. ! tunII
serve the people fa. .n
The popular vote which Is to take
place on Tuesday is for the Initiative
and Referendum in the advisory form,
the only form possible under our pres
ent constitution Every man who would
lil-e to see this great country grow rich
and prosperous and free from those
things which cause the downfall of ra-
tions cannot do better than advise as
many Of his friends ms possible to vote
YES on the new ballot.
Yours truly.
Francis l. dupont.
last evening Mr.. dupont received the
following interesting letter;
Clayton House, Wilmington, Del.
November 4. 1908
Mr.. Francis I. dupont, President Of the
Initiative and Referendum League,
Wilmington, Del
Ny Dear Sir: I am greatly interested
10 learn that the people Of Delaware are
to vote next Tuesday on the adoption Of
the Referendum and Initiative. The ex-
ample and experience Of Switzerland have
proven conclusvely that the Referendum
and Initiatiy care invaluable aids 10
pure political life. Indeed there can be
II AZ IL n
modern civilized country without these
two forms Of direct legislation. am
therefore very glad TO have the oppor'
tunity TO write you on the subject.
The Referendum is simply the right of
the people to decide finally on laws OF
measures passed by the legislature. II
is the authoritative expression Of popu-
bar approval or disapproval The sane
tion or rejection Of a law by the supreme
tribunal, the sovereign people
The Referendum was in force in several
Of the Swiss csntons long before it was
used in federal affairs, but the present
constitution Of Switzerland adopted in
ls74-introduced it into the national gov
eminent, and It has now become the
foundation Of Swiss political liberty.
The optional Referendum is Of two kinds,
the optional and tine obligatory. The
optional Referendum requares the sub
riission of any law to a popula:
vote IL a certain number Of citizens pc.
tition for it. The obligatory Referendum
provides for the submission OF all laws
to the people without any petition. IN
one of the other of these two forms
the Referendum now prevails in nearly
all the cantons of Switzerland, as well
as in federal affairs. 1t has struck root
and expanded wherever it has been intro
duced. and no Swiss voter would dream
OF asking for it's. abolition. The con
servatives, at first the opponents of the
Referendum in Switzerland have become
its earnest supporters, having found
that it acts as a check on hasty legisla'
tion.
The Liberals and Radicals also heart
iiv endorse it as q feature of true popu
lar government. Tho Referendum has
placed the government of Switzerland
on q more substantial basis, than that
of any other country, making govern
ment by the people a thorough reality
II has increased the interest taken in
polit.cs by the voters. 1t has made the
humblest mountaincer feel an individua
responsibility for the good government
cf mis- country. The Referendum hes
taken politics in Switzerland out of The
control Of parties, diminishing the i'm
portGnce Of the party, and the pol.ti
clan, and drawing attention to the
value of the proposed measure. It has
brought about the defeat of dangerous
bills, but has never prevented nationa
progress. The Referendum has q pureiy
negative effect enabling the people q
reject laws passed by the legislature
che Initiative on the other hand has q
positive effoct. II is a devise by whicl
4 certain number of citizens can pro
pose a law and require a popular vot'
upon it. In case OF the refusal Of th'
legislature TO do the right thing.
The Initiative may be exercised by
certain number Of citizens who sign
petition for the enactment Of needed
law. The number Of signatures requir
cd varies from one thousand in tn
smaller cantons where the popuation i
scattered to twelve thousand in Bosne
the most populous of the cantons. an,
thirty thousand in federal affairs Eve
AN amendment to the Swiss Feders
Constitution can be brought to a popu
liar vote in the same way by petition
signed by fifty thousand voters. Unde
the beneicient influence of the Refer
endum and the Initiative, politics cease
Il. ~, l. l.. -