The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-06-09
REFERENDUM .LE|AGOE
' IN FULL BLAST NOW
Hon. J. A. Reyes Leads Discus
sion at Interesting Meeting
Tuesday Evening.
Labor Commissioner Williams
Entertains Members with
Interesting Talk.

At tho meeting Of the Duluth Branch
OF the Peoples Sovereignty League on
Tuesday evening Of this week con-
stttution was adopted and the aims
and work Of the movement discussed.
An instructive address by John A.
Reyes Esq. OF this city. who is a
mentor on numerous important public
questions, was also listened to and
highly appreciated by those present.
This movement is one wholly for the
public good. 1t IS absolutely non
partisan and aims alone for a greater
power Of expression by the people on
public questions and incidentally
favors the principal Of municipal own
ershdp.
A limited referendum is in operation
now in the City OF Duluth in 50 far,
Tor one example, as tho granting OF
franchises must, on demand, be sub
m1tted to a vote Of tho people and
approved by them before becoming
operative.
Purpose Of League.
The main purpose Of the league will
be to obtain the legal extension OF
the right Of the people. on demand.
to thus exercise the final control, to
all public measures; as also, in case
legislative bodies are recalcltrant, to
originate such legislation and compel
1ts submission to vote Of the people.
Many Of the pronounced economic
and political evils in the United States
which have recently been so glarinzly
exposed, have their real origin in the
fact that the political control has not
been exercised by the great body Of
the people, but by political hirelinss,
bosses and manipulatoTs. Our public
servants have, to a large extent, be-
come our masters and transferred their
own allegiance to the special interest
that, In ndne cases out Of ten, directly
or indirectly put them in office.
Partisan Bias Ending.
The people are, however, awakening
from blind partisan bias and civic In
difference. They recognize that they
have reached tho eleventh hour Of
their almost criminal delusion and
apathy. They are anxious to give ex-
preston to that desire for good gov
eminent and clean public servants that
Is fundamental in the most Of US.
There Is only one complete and salts
factory way to exercise this control
over public officials and that 1s by tho
adoption and exercise Of the Initiative.
Referendum and Recall.
Organized Labor is as vitality inter-
ested In tho question as any of the
several elements Of our population.
1t Is gratifying to note, that its men,
bers are taking an important and
active part in the organization Of the
local league. fAE<@
Labor Commissioner Williams.
Labor Commissioner Williams Of MINI
neapolts, who is one Of the earnest
and honest servants Of the people
whether in office or in private life.
was an interested visitor at the Tues,
days meeting Of the Referendum
League and added his good and efrec-
tive Jolly to the general discussion.
Mr.. Williams is one Of the main work.
ers In both the referendum work and
In the great fight for municipal own
ersh1p that is on in this city. He gave
an interesting account Of the economic
struggle for which he is rendering
yoeman service and admits that it Is
an inspiration for municipal owner
ship man to come to Duluth and OBJ
serve at close hand the practical solu-
ton Of the problem.