The Washington herald., 1907-05-05

The Direct Legislation Movement
The Direct Legislation Record. sum-
marizlng the movement for the initiative
and referendum, says that campaigns in
behalf of that reform are in progress in
fifteen States. in most of which an effort
is being made TO secure a constitutional
amendment providing for direct legisla-
ton The States mentioned,are Missouri.
Pennsylvania. Maine, Rhode Island. New
Jersey, Wisconsin. Delaware North Da-
kota. Michigan, Indiana. Minnesota. Cal
ifornis. West Virginia, Texas, and Wash
ington. In addition, Oklahoma has
adopted a form of the initiative and refer
endum, and in Massachusetts an effort is
being made to secure the passage Of q
public opinion bill enabling the people to
take an advisory vote on any legislative
proposition on petition Of 8 per cent Of the
voters.
OF the fifteen States above named, two
Maine and North Dakcta-have adopted
constitutional amendments providing for
the initiative and referendum, while Mich
igan and West Virginia legislatures re
jected direct legislation proposals. Mich
igan, however. has practically adopted a
plan for the election of United States
Senators by direct vote of the people. In
1.-THE remaining States the issue is unsettled.
The Maine amendment. which now goes
before the people for adoption or rejec-
ton, is worth a passing notice as ind-
eating the principal features of the iEitia-
tive and referendum as they commend
themselves 10 the legislators Of an old and
conservative State Il declares that the
legislative power is vested in the house Of
representatives and the senate but the
people reserve to themselves power 20 pro-
pose laws and to enact or reject the same
at the polls independent of the legislature,
and also reserve power at their own op-
ton to approve or reject at the polls any
act, bill, resolve, or resolution passed by
the Joint action Of both branches of the
legislature. The means by which this
popular power may be exercised are as
follows. No act or resolution Of the legis-
lature shall take effect until ninety days
after adjournment. except certain specified
measures. But If within the ninety days
10000 electors petition for a reference 10
the people of any legislative act. it shall
be submitted at a general or special cleo
ton, and shall not take effect unless rati-
fed by the people. Twelve thousand cleo
tors may propose TO the legislature for its
consideration any measure except a consu-
tutional amendment. and any measure so
proposed, unless enacted by the Iegisla-
ture. shall be submitted to the electors.
and If adopted shall become law. The
governor has no power 20 veto q bin so
adopted. Municipalities are authorized TO
establish the initiative and referendum
with respect 10 local affairs
When we take into consideration the
wide and increasing use of the referendum
In local affairs the advance of the direct
legislative movement among the States,
and the strong sentiment for the election
of Senators by direct vote of the people.
as manifested by the action Of a majority
of the State legislatures. It is obvious that
a quiet but significant revolution is taking
place in our political system. and that the
predictions of those who have asserted
that representative institutions would
eventually give way to direct legislation
upon all important public questions are
measurably nearer fulfllment than most
Of US are aware. At all events, direct leg