Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-09-09
Correspondents.
Why kesubmit
NORTH PENoBscor, Sept. 7, 1905.

NORTH PENoBscor, Sept. 7, 1905.
To the Editor Of The American:
The question has been repeatedly asked
apparent plausibility: Why not rcsubmitf
Are We afraid to trust the people! Why
not give the people another hearing on the
question OF constitutional prohibition
All power is inherent in the people. and
the people should legislate whenever they
see 1T.
Certainly the government belongs to the
people, and should be changed by their
voice into whatever form they see 1t and
whenever they see At.
But direct government in Maine BY
more than 100, 600 voters in detail ID inn
practicable; it would take all of our time
to govern, and then we should be governed
by . few.
The people have esta blished the consti-
tuition, defined and limited its powers, and
provided for changes that may be needed
in the progress of state. 1t gives to the
Legislature power to propose changes in
the organic law whenever it seems neces-
sary to two-thirds Of both branches OF the
legislature.
They and they alone have power to sub
NIT or resubmit amendments to the con-
stitution in response to the demand OF the
people, or on their own motion.
Now resubmission Of q constitutional
amendment naturally arises from desire
for change. II everybody were satisfied
with existing law there would be no call
for resubmission. To resubmit . part OF
the constitution, simply to test the voice
OF the people, where there has been no rro-
nounced and widespread manifestation
in favor OF change, would, it seems TO me,
be contrary to all precedent, piece OF
political folly and move to weaken the
stability OF government.
Has there been a pronounced, wide
spread desire among all classes Of or
ganized society in Maine for change
from the prohibitory to the license sys-
tenn! I answer that question emphatic
ally, No!
Either orally or in print people enough
put them all together-have not yet de-
clared publicly for change to form the
initiative for referendum OF that or any
other law and the initiative and referen-
dun are the nearest approach to absolute
democracy in State matters we have yet
made.
There has been great hue and cry over
resubmission within the last few years,
for political capital, and the matter so
cunningly, sympathetically represented
Is though the dear people were being
robbed OF the right OF self government
BY class of selfish republicans and RAM
rod prohibitionists.
Now the facts are, the dear people
haven't said much about it, and 20 far as I
can ascertain are not suffering for it.
Since that famous resubmission conven-
ton met in Bangor and promised such I
loyal support Of the cause ali over Maine.
mot single body Of men OF either psrty.
OF any organization, civic, phiianthropic,
social, business or religious, has ever en-
dorsed license by resolution or otherwise,
and change from prohibition to license
10 the only logical basis on which the
structure Of real resubmission rests.
And more than that. The democratic
party IL the only organized body that has
had the courage even to declare for resub-
mission. Resubmissionists, for putNose
devoid Of al political claptrpp, that have
boldly and periodically declared their
true purpose License 20 few in Maine
that you could press them into small