The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1908-06-27

pie s5ss III Ri s$S5 S.s5 #
h - The legislature viii be careful about
passing laws against tho intereats Of
the people. because its members will
know that II they do the people can
have such law submitted to them Ill
5rectly at the polls and there reject It.
" 1T ought to free our Legislative halls
Of the lobbyists, because It will be use
less for the corporations and special
interests to keep their lobbyists in the
capitol during the session, knowing
Of this great reserve power in the \
hands OF the people by which they can
undo all that the legislature, the lobby
list, and corporation have done. w. .:ss
Gov. John A. Johnson, Of Minnesota.
II would call your attention to the,
merits Of the advisory initiativet and
referendun This permits the people
Of a state, county,, city, village, or?
town to express their views upon ques-
tions affecting their organizations and
is fast gaining ground upon the theory
that the duly elected OFFICERS are the
servants Of the people who elected:
them and will be guided, by the ex-@
pressed views Of majority. sss + !; :2s +H%
1.-THE advisory. initiative and refer
endum is but "a step further than the
right Of petition; and is not binding.
upon their officers The enactment of
a law providing for AN advisory In.
itiative and referendum can be accom-;
plished without a. constitutional
amendment, and l am firmly; Of tho
opinion that such legislation lis de-.
sirable. There can be, am sure, no
valid reason against the submission
to the people OF q proposed eonstitu-:
tdonaI amendment providing for di-
rect initiative and referendum. This
would give the people an opportunity
to, vote on the question whether or not
they want the right to instruct their
representatives and also the further
RICH to- pass upon the laws enacted by
their legislature. But whether or not
| you would care to go so far. in this
direction, would urge your consider
alton Of plan for an advisory initia-
tive and referendum 49,. T.. -. p! =
| Gov. Geo. e. Chamberlain, Of Oregon,
| Il approve the formation. OF q ma
t1onal initiative and referendum COM
nittee land firmly, believe that the
correction Of most OF the evils which
! afflict us will never be accomplished
until the. people take back the power
which they have unconsciously sur
rendered to conventions, political ma
chimes. and party BOSSES" 49, . IT,
Louis F. Post, Editor Of The Public
| VERY gladly do I assent to. your use
OF my name AS q charter member OF
the nationtal initiative and referendum
committee. To my mind the initia-
| tive and referendum is the primary
reform, the one; next at hand the one
| without which every other must be
more difficult If not altogether, i'm
possible $500: ..-s y! ~
This is in line with the state1nen,
of William J. Bryan to the Oklahoma
1907: -. ,;:>.>,.. 49,. -. 49, -
Let me suggest that you take. q,
your campaign. keynote: Let the peo-
pie rule 1 want to see it in YOU,
campaign and in the national cam:
pafgn.'' ':.> =: :. .,.. =: = PHI
Hon. T. NJ, Patterson, former, u. 8
T :.:1r="<.-.sT ~ senator. res ~ 7E;l
I TT is only through the most prac.
tical form Of initiative and referendum
that the people can have self.goverrl.
ment. Our representative system il
nation. state and municipality Is rap.
Idly degenerating into a farce. Ma,
the peoples rule be established at thu
earliest possible moment" .:..G
Mr.: eyron W. Holt, Noted Economist
7 fear for our country If we do MOI
soon establish government for thu
people. Things are getting too rotteer
to last much longer" y :.,-.. s., ..-.::..
Hon. William Lloyd Garrison. E..
I am delighted to express my belle
In and sympathy wit hthe proposal 70,
a national initiative and referendum.