The Boise citizen. (Boise, Idaho) 1906-1910, 1909-05-14


of city governments
These reinforce speakers and workers
Mr. Flowers entire article Broone should be hand and
frequently referred emphatic way to the
force of the argument in favor of direct legislation.
From facts let fundamental principles well for
the people occasionally to review their rights held by the found
of the and take courage Here
four articles in the constitution of Massachusetts
be committed to They express clearly forcby the
theory of government which nation is founded:
Art ~ The people of this the sole and
exclusive right of governing themselves free sovereign and
independent state and do SHALL exercise and
enjoy every jurisdiction and right which not may
not hereafter be- by them expressly delegated to the United
of America in congress assembled
Art " All power residing originally people and being
derived from them the several magistrates officers of govern
ment vested with authority whether legislative executive
dca their substitutes and agents. times
countabIe to them
"Ar Government is instituted for the common good for
the protection safety prosperity and happiness people,
and not for the profit honor private any man.
family class of Therefore the people an
contesabe unalienab and ndeeasibe right institute gov
enment and to reform alter totally change the
their protection safety prosperity and happiness require
authority from, heooronr onressor tbe oonio S - -
such periods and in such manner they shall establish by their
frame of government their public return to
private fe and to fill places by certain regular
elections and appointments"
In these articles every right the people may
choose claia right reform alter totally change their
only restriction is that they shall not infringe
upon powers expressly delegated America
In article the fundamental right plainly declared
make recall possible when required in public
good great constitutional rights should ever
be kept mind The times for who know their rights and
knowing dare maintain"
The fight for direct legislation has already resulted in many
victories The Equity Series published by DR.. F. Taylor Phil
adepha prints the following under the headline Steps Toward
Pure Democracy
1897. applied referendum all franchise grants
1897. Nebraska made initiative and referendum optional
cities.
1898 South adopted referendum
ment
1900 Utah adopted amendment for which legislature has
passed public policy providing advisory
referendum.
1902 Oregon by constitutional secured an
tive form of the initiative and referendum
1908 Los Angeles CAL applied initiative and referendum
municipal affairs
1905 Nevada by constitutional amendment adopted the ref
erendum.
1905 Rapids Mich applied initiative referendum
to municipal affairs.
1906 Montana adopted initiative
by popular instructed legislature pro-
vide for the initiative and referendum.
1906 Nebraska gives to cities to adopt initiative and
referendum, which has been quite generally accepted
Moines Iowa. adopts initiative referendum and
call in connection commission plan government
1907 Cedar Rapids Iowa. adopts initiative referendum and
recall.
1907 -Okahom placed initiative and referdum in the
stitution submitted people Maine legislature voted
submit initiative and referendum amendment 3Msour
legislature voted to submit initiative and referendum amend
ent North Dakota legislature voted submit initiative
amendment this must be passed by another
legislature before be submitted to the people Deaware
legislature placed the initiative and referendum in the charter of
Wilmington
1862 June people Oregon demonstrated the peo
ability egae clearly than done before by
voting very discriminatory upon nineteen four being
the constitution four referred to the
pie by petition and eleven initiated by petition p
September the people Maine adopted direct legislation
amendment their constitution by of two in
spite influential opposition 3-November Missouri adopted
direct legislation amendment to the constitution by majority
though dsadvanageousy placed the ballot