Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-02-23

tion is, the initiative and referendum
is most important, simply because it
is fundamental to all reform move
ments. 1t places in the hands of the
whole people the power to settle ev-
cry disputed moral and economic pro-
blem that may arise. The history of
the limited application of this princi-
pie shows that it has always been a
mighty weapon in the interests OF
progress and righteousness. The Del
aware legislature in 1S47 provided
that one fourth of the voters in a
county could bring up the liquor ques.
ton which should be decided by a
majority vote. From this time for
ward local option laws on the subject
of liquor licenses gained ground rap
idly and steadily despite occasional
unfavorable decisions by the supreme
courts. And the use of the referen-
dunn by states for the decision of Ii.
quor questions has constantly gained
ground. The tidal wave NJ Erohibi.
ton which is sweeping over the ma
ton at the present time is largely due
to the educational value Of the refer.
endum or the local option experiments
throughout the country during the last
half century. The gradual rise Of the
prohibition sentiment as shown
wherever the referendum is used, is
an index Of the stragetis value of the
principle of direct legislation which
the opponents OF the saloon should be
prompt to recognize and vail Them
selves Of.
ITO oppose this principle in North
Dakota in the interest of prohibition,
while supporting 1t in almost every
state Of the Union in the interest of
prohibition, is short-sighted selfish
ness and essentially dishonest. The
same course now being pursued by
some Of the temperance advocates Of
our state would have fastened the sa
loon for years to come on the people
of Georgia and Alabama, which by ma
jority, vote, expressed at local option
elections, have led to state wide pro-
hibition. The same course would
have made it impossible for large
areas of territory in other states to
free themselves from the saloon
through the county liquor referen-
dunn. Would these selfish advocates
Of temperance sell out the magnifi-
cent gains Of the prohibition princi-
pie throughout the country, largely
made possible by the referendum, for
the sake Of retaining prohibition n
North Dakota? Is their patriotism
not to say their righteousness bound
ed by the narrow confines of North
Dakota? -...-.----------7 ---.--
81 hate the saloon business as !
hate the very devil. Yet if I were
king of this nation, or boss, which
amounts to the same thing. would
not make it a prohibition nation, ev-
en- if / could do it by mandate. But
when the majority Of the voting cit
liens of the nation declared in its
favor, placing behind 1t the force Of
public conscience, which alone makes
a law effective, l would enforce it up
to the limit, as every law upon the
statute books ought to be. If this be
treason to the principle of prohibition,
make the most Of it!
The most important duty of the
| people of North Dakota is the passage
of the initiative and referendum.
Make that a part of the constitution
of every state, and we will speedily
bury the saloon, as the old lady said
she wanted the devil hurried face
down, in order that the more he
scratched the deeper he'd go