Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-10-01
REFERENDUM AND THE PRoHIB
5rs4ssE t.f &TS-{E.2 G{-lf o. .e.r
ITION QUESTION.

REFERENDuM AND The FFCCdAB-i
ITIoN QUESTION. ~ l
George H. SHIRLEY, president Of the
Peoples Rule, League of America, 1
writes from Washington, D. G., to the
Valley City Times-Record giving
some inside history concerning thesI
Ueland referendum amendment to
the constitution of North Dakota,
that is to be voted upon next month.
In some quarters the proposed
amendment is being opposed by pro-
hibitionists because of their hostility
to any possible chance of resubmit-
ting constitutional prohibition to a
vote of the people. sa.5
At the recent state meeting of the
w. C. IT. u. at Minot a resolution
was passed urging opposition to the
proposed referendum amendment.
They indorse the principle of the
initiative and referendum but oppose
it in the form it is now presented
simply because IL what Isl known as
the LELAND measure Is adopted it
will be possible to submit to the peo-
pie, in the way of a proposed amend
ment to the constitution, a question
of change in the manner Of dealing
with the liquor evil.
President SHIRLEY of the Peoples
Rule League, being asked by citi-
zen Of North Dakota for his views
on the proposed initiative and ref
erendum amendment, says that
stthoseftof us who have made study
OF referendum systems heartily APP
prove the North Dakota amend
ment.', Mr.. Shirley says it was
drafted some years ago after, the
Oregon system was adopted and in
some respects the pending amend
ment in this state is decided Inn
provement, in the opinion of Mr..
Shibley and also Mr.. U'Ren Of Ore
gon, father of the system in that
state. ''The chief improvement. is
that measures initiated by the Yot-
ers are to be considered in the leg
islature before being submitted. In
this way public hearings can be had
and competing measure framed If
the legislature so desires. These pro-
visions are in the Maine amendment,
just adopted by rousing majority,
and also they are in the Oklahoma
statute adopted last winter r.
MT. SHIRLEY observes that the
amendment in this state is notable
for having been passed without any
change, whereas in several states the
original amendment has been radi-
caliy altered in. way to lessen the
peoples power. Mr.. Shibley COM
mends the inclusion Of constitutional
law in the subject to which the int
tiatiye is to apply, for to omit it
would be serious impediment to
progress, for the law on the more
important subjects is shaped funda-
mentally in the constitution. For
example, urges Mr.. SHIRLEY, the vots
s ers should take to themselves the
power to recall their public officials
From a prohibition standpoint Mr..
SHIRLEY gives as a further reason for
the initiative for constitutional law
Z is that improvements in the methods
OF enforcing the prohibitory system
will constantly be developed, in adj
dition to the recall, some of which
will doubtless require constitutional
changes and the people of North
Dakota ought to be in a position to
install them.
While the Tribune has no particu-
lar interest In the fate Of the pend.
! ing amendment, it recognizes a great
deal of force in what Mr. SHIRLEY
says regarding it. H III
But we do confess little surprise
at the real reason of opposition--at
y the true nature of the fear--in the
state. 3,5 @
The Tribune believes in the prin-
ciple Of initiative and referendun-
y not because It opens the way for re-
submission of constitutional prohib.
ition but because It believes that
with this check legislators, public
servants and party leaders will act
with greater discretion, and more
conservatism. i
The Tribune believes In the widest
publicity and the greatest latitude
for popular rule # believes fhe
wise leader IS the one who learnf