Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-01-17
wsMssa OF rye ASSOCIATED PRESS

SSS 49,
SENATOR PLAINS INITIATIVE AND
REFERENDUM MEASURE.
Initiative and referendum becomes
more popular as it is tried-as it's
real aim and effect is studied. It is
meant as a check on radical legisla-
ton, curb on vicious legislation, an
incentive to that sort of legislation
that meets and merits popular ap-
prevail It is no longer looked upon as
a s'crank" theory, and in the evolution.
OF trade and business and the aggre-
cation and combination of wealth
referendum and the initiative stand
out as the peoples weapons against
possible oppression and disregard of
popular sovereignty. .~.-., 81. i
As 1t is likely such a measure will
receive serious attention at this ses-
sion of the legislature more than ordi-
nary interest attaches to the measures
along this line that may be introduced
from time to time. Representative
LELAND has introduced bill in the
house and Senator Plain has intro
duced the modified Montana law in
the senate. Mr.. Plains measure pro-
poses the following amendment to the
state constitutions section rs to read
as follows: -.
Section 25. The legislative power
shall be vested in senate and house
OF representatives, but the people re-
serve to themselves power to propose
laws, and to enact or reject the same
at the polls, except as to laws relating
TO appropriations of money, and ex-
cept as to laws for the submission of
constitutional amendments, and ex-
sept as to local or special laws, as
enumerated in section 70 of article 2
of this constitution, Independent of
the legislative assembly; and also
reserve power at their own option, to
approve or reject at the polls, any act
of the legislative assembly, except as
To laws necessary for the immediate
preservation Of the public peace,
health or safety, and except as to laws
relating to appropriations of money,
and except as to laws for the submits
sion of constitutional amendments,
and except as to local or special laws,
as enumerated in section 10 of article
2 of this constitution. The first power
reserved by the people is the initiative
and eight per cent of the legal voters
of the state shall be required to pro-
pose any measure by petition;s pro-,
Vided, that two-ffths of the whole
number of the counties of the state
must each furnish as signers of said
petition eight per cent of the legal
voters in such county and every such
petition shall include the full text of
the measure SO proposed. Initiative
petitions shall be filed with the secre-
tary of state not less than four months
before the election at which they are
to be voted upon.
The second power is the referendum
and it may be ordered either by petit
ton signed by five per cent of the
legal voters of the state; provided
that tWo-ffths of the whole number
of the counties of the state must each
furnish as signers of said petition
five per cent of the legal voters in
such county, or, by the legislative as
sennbly as other bills are enacted
Referendum petitions shall be filed
with the secretary of state not later
than July LIST after the final adjourn
ment of the session of the legislative
assembly which passed the bill on
which the referendum is demanded.
The veto power Of the governor shall
not extend to measures referred to
the people by the legislative assembly
or by Initiative or referendum
petitions. III
ALI elections or measures referred
to the people of the state shall be had
at the biennial regular general cleo
ton, except when the legislative as
sembly, by a majority vote, shall order
"a special election. Any measure re
ferred to the people shall still be In
4 Full force and effect unless such petit
ton be signed BY fifteen per cent of
the legal voters Of a majority Of the
whole number Of the counties of the
state, In which case the law shall be
imperative until such time as it
shall be passed upon at an election
and the result has been determined
and declared as provided BIZ law The
whole number Of votes cast for gov.
ernor at the regular election last