Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-11-21
The Referendum VS.. Political Resub-
mission,

The Waterville Sentinel copies in
full the communication of Rev. Z. r.
! owen published in the Journal of
, Tuesday morning. 1t is pleasing to
note that the Sentinel has definitely
abandoned it's false and absurd con-
tention that a resolve submitted by
12OG0 voters under the plain pro-
visions of the Initiative and Referen-
dunl could not be voted upon" 1t is
pleasing to know that it recognizes
the falsity and futility of that asser-
tion even though it has not had the
fairness and honesty to frankly and
operlv admit the error it was guilty
of. Mr. Owen makes it very clear
that lie does not believe that
there is any call for resubmission
in any form. He believes in the con-
tinuance of the prohibitory principle,
and is personally opposed to any
movement involving the question of
it's abandonment.
He believes that any step for popu-
from the opponents of prohibition and
not from its friends. He points out
that, under the terms of the Initiative
and Referendum the opportunity will
be afforded them of securing a popular
vote upon the whole question, upon
it's own merits. and under eminently
fair conditions. He says:
An able jurist whose ability and
judgment even the Watervlle Senti-
mel has frequently praised. declared
that the popular initiative and refer
endum could be invoked by twelve
thousand petitioners to determine the
will of the people upon the vital ques-
ton of retaining or doing away with
the Prohibitory policy. 1t is the pur-
pose of the Initiative ana Referendum
To give the people what they have not
hard before. namely, an opportunity to
settle such questions of policy by test
vote. unntluenced by previous legis-
lative approval or condemnation.
'"rhe Initiative and Referendum
soon To be voted on by the people,
after having had the nearly unani-
nous approval of the last Legislature.
will undoubtedly receive strong rat
fication by popular vote. When ii has
b. come part of the Constitution it will
afford the opponents of Prohibition the
opportunity TO bring Il fair, popular
test vote upon the question Twelve
thousand petitioners can do it. Pro-
viding for them the opportunity has
my approval. My vote shall help to
secure that opportunity, but if l am
asked whether or not l will be one of
the twelve thousand petitioners to
initiate an attack upon the policy of
State prohibition, which the liquor
dealers of the whole country detest and
fear. above all other policies, l an
sWer--'Never. until 1 am prepared to
honestly line up with the men who are
seeking to overthrow our prohiDitory
policy" They have the opportunity;
it is enough; let them use it,
We had expected the Sentinel to say
to Mr.. Owen that the jurist he quotes
is all wrong; that the question could
not be voted upon under the pro-
visions of the Initiative ard Referen-
dunn; that it would be "dodging,' and
that even if the people should vote
unanimously at the polls either one
Way or the other upon this great
question, sit would be absolutely bar
rem of the smallest shadow of result.
But it refrains.
Perhaps it has dawned upon it that
nothing is to be gained by longer I'M
derestimating the intelligence of the
people of Maine. Perhaps it has re-
luct3ntly arrived at the conclusion that
the political fortunes of the small
ccterie of Democratic politicians whom
il represents are not to be advanced by
that under the Initiative and Refer
erdum the people of Maine will De af-
ftrded an opportunity to pass at the
polls, under eminently fair conditions,
upon the question of retaining or atan-
doning the prohibitory, principle. Per-
haps it has awoke to a ninth hour ap-
probation OF the fact that nothing is
to be gained in the discussion Of this
matter by 4 resort to statements which
every intelligent citizen or Maine
knows to he palpably false and alb
surd. The only fair way Of securing
public vote upon this great question
will be afforded under the provisions
of the Initiative and Referendum This
fHir-mindcd men Of both parties now
concede. Old fashioned political re-
submission has already been side
trao ked by this vastly better and fair
cr method of dealing with the question.
a few helated Democratic politicians
stIll cling to it in the hope that they
may continue to play political football
with it: but they are already in a
small and hopeless minority, which bids
lair to dwindle to the vanishing noint
between now and the day of the next