The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-05-20
Sign No Petitions Thoughtlessly

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The following statement is issued
by the officers of the State Referenz
dun League of Maine, as the result #
a conference recently held at Show
hogan.
The Referendum League OF Maine
ie deeply Interested IN the principle
of Direct Legislation and is DESTROYS
that the recently adopted Initiative
and Referendum shall be put TO its
best use by the voters of this state
The League has no authority not pos
sessed by any other Maine organiza-
ton. Inasmuch, however, rs it was
among the agencies which united TO
secure the constitutional change max
ing direct legislation possible, it may
have duty TO perform and possibly
more reason for speaking than non
participant in the Initiative and Ref
erendum campaign would have.
Direct Legislation is not designed
to relieve the Legislature of its re-
sponsibilities. Any duty to act wise
ly and honestly which was ever in
eumbent upon Maine legislature,
still exists. Nevertheless, the people
are supreme and it is but reasonable
that they should wish the power,
which they now have under the Init
alive and Referendum, TO revise the
work of the legislature whenever they
feel that it was done hastily, without
knowledge or without sincerity. Be
lieying that a statute is unjust or
harmful to the best interests of the
state, the voter has now privilege
nd 10. ri Nit n -
which he has never had before. If a
sufficient number share his opinion he
may make an effective protest and
cause the statute III question to be re-
ferred to the voters-may take an ap-
peal from the action of the legislature
to the people. This it becomes his
duty to do if his opinions are based
upon thorough investigation.
In years past, petitions have meant
comparatively little. The habit Of
signing them carelessly admits OF no
defense but the fact that they were
often so signed must be admitted.
Under the Initiative and Referendum,
however, the signer of petition as
sumes grave responsibility, uniting
himself with others to annul and set
aside the action of the legislature.
This he may properly do-shoQld
most certainly do, if he sincerely be-
lieves that the legislature has been
unWise or unjust, but he should APP
preciate his new responsibilities and
act with great caution. True friends
of the Referendum will not advise its
use upon trivial matters and none
should invoke it except on questions
concerning which they are thorough
~ informed.
These observations are given pub
LEFTY because the first petitions under
the Initiative and Referendum amend
ment are now being circulated. The
legal right to thus petition is unques-
toned, the sense and justice OF such
action rests upon the wisdom aud
purity of purpose OF its originators.
Each voter must make his own de-
cision. lie Is invested with a new
power With a petition spread be
fore him and pen In hand he faces a
responsibility heretofore unknown.
Desiring that Direct Legislation may
serve ia highest purposes, the
League feels not out Of place in ufg-
ing thoughtfnlness and caution
THE STATE REFERENDUM LEAGUE
OF MAINE.
Herbert Z Libby. President.
Roland T. fatten, Press represent
alive.