Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-02-27
WOULDN'T that
sink YOUR BOBBER'

sink YOUR B0BBER'
jamestown, N. D., Feb 19.-Under
/ the head of Good Laws occurs an
article in the Forum of February Is,
written by Fl. H. Aaker, urging the
good people of the state to burden the
now oyer-croWded legislators with a.
few handmade letters of mother-in-
law advice, upon the Importance of
passing certain bills. Among others
the initiative and referendum, and /
simply use his own language:
Bills providing for the initiative
and referendum have been introduced
| in both ouses, house bill No. 2 by Hon.
| A. LELAND and senate bill No. AL by
Senator Plain. AS Senator Plains bill
texcepts constitutional amendments
and consequently will not affect the
prohibition law. I believe this bill
suits present conditions the best, and
should therefore receive our united
support.
! "All of above bills are very import
ant, and it seems to me, we cannot do
anything less than inform our legisla-
tors that we are especially interested
in seeing above bills made law. If we
fail to show this interest, it seems to
me that we are neglecting our duty as
citizens, and are not doing what we
can towards promoting the best inter-
ests of the state.
"As number of people have asked
me what / think of the initiative and
referendum, / wish to say here that /
am unqualifiedly in favor of such a
measure. It is step in the right di-
ERECTION towards giving the people
more direct and controlling voice in
the making of the laws under which
we live. / am against machine rule
J and believe that the majority should
rule and be the supreme power in
this state. The will of the majority
has not always been the sovereign
power in this state, and for the rea-
sons that our system of law making is
such that no provision is made where
by the people by direct ballot can ex-
1press their will
Through the initiative and referen-
Idum I believe machine rule would be
limp possible, and the political boss and
lobbyist would be out of business.
Certain it is that if a proposed law
stood chance of coming before the
4 people for approval legislators would
/ be very careful not to pass laws which.
lin all probability would be rejected by
the people. .3
The referendum system, to my
mind. is certain heath to bossism anu
ITO legislation BY bribery. 1t puts a
/ check on legislators that makes the
1 work Of the briber fruitless. Bribery
is resorted to, to get something which.
could not be gotten from the majority
4 Of the people and when the majority
lis given the final vote on ali questions
! effecting the community, it is a waste
1 Of time. and money to bride legislators.
4 This feature alone, seems to me,
4 should enlist the generous support Of
the best people of the state, and espe.
cially the reform element who have
/ already gone on record against ma
4 chine rule and bossism. Again I
would urge YOU to write your repre-
i sentatives and use your influence fos.
i the good Of us all Respectfully,
FL. H AAKER. 80
I Now you have read it. Let's see
where we head in at. In his opening
statement he recommends the favor
j ing Of Senator Plains. bill, for the
reason that it is SO amended that it
cannot interfere with the prohibition
law, and in the next breath he lauds
| the glorious principle expounded and
gives as his reasons for same, that it
| gives the people more direct and
controlling Voice in the making of the
/ laws under which we live. 1t looks to
a man up a tree like some peoples
4 wants would be hard to satisfy.
Wouldn't that sink your bobber?
FAIR PLAY.