Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-01-25
Referendum
WHAT Iss5THou OF THE sYs-
TEN WHERE TT HAS BEEN #
z5 TRIED s5 s.it

Oregon and other places and below are
a few of the answers: N
522 Salem, Ore. Jan II, 1907.
Hon. L. A.. LELAND, Edgeley, N. D. Z
Dear Sir: Your letter Of Dec. %,
1906, is received in which you inquire
relative to the initiative and referendum
amendment to the constitution of the.
state of Oregon. This amendment was
adopted some four years ago, and sew
eral laws have been enacted under it
which could not be passed by the legis-,
lative assembly, for the reason that such
laws are not wanted by political bosses
and corporations whose selfish interests
were liable to be restrained or regulated
by them 5. 4 Il.
This amendment is doing good service
IN this state in restraining jobbing care
| lessness and extravagancesj in legisla-
ton 1t has greatly abridged the in
fiuence Of the lobby and the power of
corporations and persons seeking special
privileges and monopolies through laws
enacted by the legislature and has
brought the influence of the whole peo-
pie to more prominence in the direction
of public affairs 1t is very important
that legislators should know and be
made to feel that there is a power to
| which appeal may be. had from unjust
and extravagane Legislation, and also
that through the initiative laws can be
enacted which have been defeated by in
| terested parties and corporations
through corrupt influences.
In Oregon we have enacted, through
the initiative, direct primary law, UNI
der the provisions of which all our Of
flcers were nominated at the last cleo
ton. This put the party bosses out of
business. Also under this direct primary
law we nominated United States SEN
kator and designated him as the choice of
the people at the general election, and
his choice by the people will be satisfied
by the legislature when it convenes.
i There are i'll this state corporations,
such as express, telegraph and telephone
companies, which have very little visible
property to be taxed, but collect large
revenues from the people, and while
they enjoy the protection Of the laws,
contribute nothing to the support of the
government which protects them. At
tempts were made during several sue
cessive legislatures to impose on s,lof,
corporations a Just income tax, but the
corporations, through their lobby and
other influences, in which they are it ex-
perts, managed to defeat all acts impos-
ing any taxes on them. "a "
1 The people at the last election enacted
these laws and they are now in force.
We think the initiative and referer1-
dun amendment to the constitution Of
Oregon is a great Improvement in our
fundamental laws. as it reserves power in
the people to directly prevent bad legis-
lation and to supply needed laws, and
that it will do away with the rings and
political bose, who have degraded
| American politics. ,.sg
Yours truly, 5'!
1 R. P, BOISE.
/ Ex-judge supreme court.
/ United States Senate, Washington, D
4 c., Jan. II, 1907.
Hon L. A. LELAND, Edgeley, N. D. 4
I Dear Sir: Your favor of Dec. 27tf
4 is received, apd in answer thereto
4 would say the initiative and referendum
is now in force in Oregon and people
are not likely to change it. I do moi
/ know, OF course the provisions Of youI
contemplated amendment to your con.
stitution, but I am Of opinion that all
| laws of this nature, insuring the people
| the right to direct legislation, are gooe
/ laws, and in accordance with the princi
| pies upon which this government wa.
/ founded 5s3
4 | remain sincerely yours, n
JOHN M. GEARIN. 4
Pendleton, Ore, Jan. 2, 1907.
I Hon. J.. A. Iceland, Edgeley, N. D.
Dear Sir: Replying to your inquir
q of Dec. 18th, beg to say that regar,
! the adoption Of the initiative and refer
!, endum il, this state as proving eninentl
7 satisfactory in practice Indeed, excer
i in rare instances, the criticism whic
! was heard for time against the syster
! has entirely ceased. The laws whic
! have been enacted through the initiatiy
have thus far been meritorious, and til
vote Of the people under the referendul
+ has indicated that as usual the vote (
/ the whole people is entirely right Wer
the matter again to be, submitted to I'll
people Of Oregon, I believe that it woul
carry by even a larger majority tina
when adopted.
Z Respectfully yours,
STEPHEN E. LOWELL.
Muskogee, Ind. Ter, JAN 1907.
Hon. = A. LELAND, Edgeiey, N. d
IA Nv Dear Sir Us Giving I'd Illness WI