The Republican journal., 1908-09-24
NAMES TOUCH OF PoPUuSM.
from the Boston Transcript.

The more obvious political aspects of
the Maine election so absorbed the pub
lie attention that few persons outside
the State realize that one of the most
radical constitutional changes ever pro-
posed in New England was accepted by
the people there on Monday. By an
overwhelming plurality-in some places
two to one-the voters approved the
amendments submitted by the last
Legislature providing for both the pop
ular initiative and the referendum, and
in effect decreed revolution in legis-
lation by deferring all final action to
the approval of the people. Essentially
Maine has adopted the Western idea,
and the constitution as amended will
be in sympathy in this particular feat
ure with the organic laws of states
which all have heretofore considered
so "radical' as to be unacceptable us
monitors TO the New England tempera-
ment.
Briefly, the Maine scheme as ratified
provides that the enactments of the
Legislature shall not take effect until
ninety days after their passage. If
within that period 10000 electors SO
petition, the operation of any law IS
postponed until it has been passed upon
by the people at the next general cleo
ton. AS Maine is a biennial State, it
will be always possible for any 10000
organized DIRECTORS to hold up for two
years at least any enactment, however
desirable it may be in the opinion of
the majority of the people and how
ever impressive may have been the
popular mandate on which the Legisla-
ture acted. But this is not the only
way in which the legislators are ham,
pered. The initiative amendment gives
to any Il, 900 electors the power to sub
nit law to the Legislature by petition.
If the Legislature decline to pass the
proposed law it must be referred never
theiess, in its original form to the peo-
pie. The Legislature may suggest
amendments, and it is optional with
the people to accept or reject any or
all of these. In word, Maine has sub
verified its Legislature, and has restrict
ed its functions to that of a body which
can do little more than propose leglSla-
ton.
Of course the requirements of such
large numerical support for the refer
endum or the initiave were inserted by
the law makers in the hope that they
would render the application of both
infreuuent. The assumption evidently
was that the operation OF securing 10,
600 or $4,000 names to petitions would
be so difficult that it would be success
full only when public opinion had been
profoundly stirred by legislation passed
or proposed. Unfortunately for Maine,
the experience of States from whose
statute books it has taken leaf is Ulat
it is by no means difficult TO secure
armies in support of referendum or IN
tiative. A sort of brokerage business III
names has sprung up. Names are Sc
cured, on commission, for any PROJECT.
At the last Oregon election almost
score Of initiative projects were oorhe
on the ballots, and among other laws
submitted to referendum was the APP
preparation for the State University
which has been paralyzed by the voters
refusal to approve it. 1t is perfectly
feasible for a minority OF Name voters
to force endless voting on Legislation
of whose approval by the mass OF lle
people there is not the slightest DOUBT.
The compaisance of the. Republican
Legislative majority which made Ine
submission of the amendment posslole
may return to trouble 1t, for II i2,ooo
voters want a "resubmisslon Din re-
ferred to the popular vote there is noun
ing to prevent their accomplishing their
purpose. Maine has just given anotuel
illustration of its tendency TO ra9icai-
ism. since both parties supported tfe
amendments, and both Republican ana
Democratic newspapers advocated theit
acceptance.