Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-11-04
Monday, November q. 1907
The Sentinel Tries to Befog the ISSUE

Referendum cannot be used TO present
to popular vote resolve giving The
voters of Maine an opportunity to pass
at special election upon the question:
of abandoning or retaining the pro-
bibitory principle. The iiimsy and
is demonstrated by its quoting from
pamphlet issued by the State Referen-
dunn League to show that the sup
portcrs of the Initiative and Referen-
dun used the word laws in their
advocacy Of it. 1t evidently seeks to
blind its readers to the fact that the
scope of this measure is de-
termined, not by the language
any of its advocates may
have used in urging its passage, but
BY THE PLAIN LANGUAGE OF
THE MEASURE ITSELF, AS PASS
ED FOR SUBMISSION TO POPU-
LAR VOTE BY THE LEGISLATURE
OF MAINE.
Ldtct VII, dlttI ihe uSNc1'' 'ASeA' -
a column of its valuable space in this
attempt to befog the issue. me
Sentinel gets round to concede practi-
caly the Journals contention. 1t
says:
But the Journal pins its faith to tn
use of the word resolution in section
18 of the act where it is said that
ELECTORS may propose to the LeSIsla-
turc for its consideration any bill. re-
solve or resolution
so they may. And suppose that
they proposed the resolution in qucS-
ton. Resolved. that the prohibtory
law ought not to be repealed what
would happen"
The Legislature would. if it acted at
all in the matter. pass the resolve.
And having passed it, it never would
come to IL popular vote at all. That
would dispose Of the matter.
Continuing the Sentinel says:
But suppose that the Legislature
went crazy and after deciding that the
resolution had legal standing. reject
ed it. What would then be the sitIld-
ton, Why simply that the question
of prohibition would come before the
people with the condemnation of the
Legislature. which is what all of this
elaborate tomfoolery is supposed to
avoid
1t will be observed that the Sentinel
resolve upon which Il reference tn the
people was pctirioncd for, under tho
terms of the Initiative and Referendum
would either be passed 10y the Legisla
turc and thus the voters Of the state.
be shut off from an opportunity to
express their will upon il at the polls
or that the Legislature would reject it
and thus put it before the electors I'M
der the han Of its condemnation.
II is characteristic of the Senti-
nei's evnsivc method of meeting this
whci" question that it carefully re-.
Trains from telling its readers that If
THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD MOI
ACT UPON THE RESOLVE AT ALL
IT WDI LID THEN 60 To THE. NOT-
Frs AT \ SPECIAL ELECTION
EXACTLY AZ FRAMED by THE
PETITIONERS IN THE FIRST IN
STANCE
Coming thus before tie voters i
could be considered ENTIRELY tPON
IT'S OWN MERITS WHOLLY FRr.t
FROM THE PREJTDICt, OF PRE-,
VIOUS LEGISLATIVE INTERFER
ENCt:
That in the Judgment Of fair minded
men i'll both political parties. is TIL
ONLY FAIR WAY IN WHICH
THIS QUESTION CAN EVER 81
SUBMITTED To AN EXPRESSIO.
OF THt: POPULAR WILL.
The opportunity for just such
popular reference as this is afforded b
section Is of the Initiative and Refer
endum act when provides that if tn
Legislature fails to enact such bill
resolve or resolution without chang
at the session at which it was pre-
scented. it shall be submitted to til
electors together with any amende
form. substitute. or recommendation
of ~thc Legislature. and in such mar
ner that the people can chose betw &c
the competing measures or rejc,
both
The Sentinel asserts that il such
resolve We're put forward under Il
Initiative and Referendum by petite
of 1000 voters and for the expresst
purpose of testing The will of the We
ers of Maine on a matter of gre
public moment, the Legislature Won
promptly step in and deprive the eie
tors of that privilege by passing
Truly our contemporary is wanderi
far afield in its frantic efforts to b,
Ster up a weak cause. What menbt
IF the Legislature would 50 undert,,
to deprive the citizens of our State
legally requested opportunity to
press themselves at the polls at
special election upon this great gu