Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1908-09-17
THE PEOPLE WILL RULE
( From the Syracuse Journal. J

We have seen the hand of Har-
rIman seize the highways of the
nation. Over the wine cups at
Washington we have heard him
nominate the governors of his
provinces. We have recalled the
metaphor of President Garfield
picturing the states as "discrowned
sovereigns following in chains the
trlumphal chariot of their conquer
ors," the railways. We have
witnessed this centra ization of
wealth and political power until
many have begun to despair of
popular government.
But, behold, the people that
walked in darkness have seen a
great light. Out Of Oregon came
sign. A mighty hope has been
born. A new and magic watch
word has been sounded. "Back
to the people," that is the blaz-
ing banner around which gathers
today victorious host.
The demand for the initiative
and referendum is, in the opinion
OF many, the most portentous move
ment in American politics.
The bosses have seemed hardly
to notice it, and the corporations
have only recently taken alarm
But it is too late. AS stealthily
as the tide. this great undercur-
rent of democracy has surrounded
them, has cut them off.
Like a thief in the night a re.
evolutionary principle has stolen in
to the constitutions of five of our
states 1t is knocking now at
the doors of 20 state legislatures.
1t is in full operation in half a
hundred cities. The supreme
courts of five of the states have
bowed to it. And while the
corporations are now asking the
supreme court OF the United States
to outlaw it, their case seems hope
less. f.
The movement is irresistible.
Government by private monopo-
lies has run it's course. The hour
has struck. The people are rising.
Consider the history we have
been making.
South Dakota, through the
initiative and referendum,
established popular sovereignty in
1898. This fall the people take a
direct vote on their diverse laws
The right to make or unmake
laws by direct vote at the polls
was won by the people of Oregon in
1902. Since then they have voted
on 80 measures. Seventy-four per.
cent Of the electors on the average
have participated in these 80 votes
After an expensive educationa
campaign of a few months thu
people have passed, by overwhelm
ing maj tiles, laws that it would
have tax en- 20 years to get through
their lobby-ridden legislatures.
The people of Nevada required
the right of referendum voting il
1905. This year the Legislature
passed bill to create an army O
mercenaries for the benefit of min,
holders. But 10 per cent OF tn
mine workers can hold it up. be
tween them and the legislature tn,
people will decide.
The right of direct legislation
was incorporated in the constitu
ton of Montana in 1906. This
year the people are going afte
three laws, direct primary 70
United States senator's, an anti-in
junction law and an employer
liability act.
Oklahoma started out with tn
initiative and referendum last year
This fall a referendum vote is t
be taken on the question as t.
whether the 100000 acres 0
school lands shall be seized by th
spectators or be saved for tn
children of the commonwealth
This is the roll call of the fire
states And the numb err is steadi
lily growing. Republican Main
| and Democratic Missouri pass up
on an initiative and referendum
amendment this fall. North Da
kota is in the heat of a referen
dunn campaign. Organized labo
in Ohio will demand a referendum
| II o-c..x