Los Angeles herald., 1909-01-22
ANTI-RACETRACk
GAMBLING BILL
TO BE PASSED
Continued from Page one)

spite of the vigorous protest of Grove
Johnson, spokesman for the gamblers
on this occasion, the proposition to re-
refer was defeated by a very decisive
vote of SO to 2S. There were four alb
sentees-Cogswell, who was engaged
with the senate judiciary committee;
Wyatt, who is sick, Feeley and Whee-
Ian.
Those voting for the proposition to
re-refer were: Baxter, Beardslee, Be
ban, Black, Coghlan, Collum, Cullen,
Greer, Hopkins, Johnson of Sacrament
to, johnson of San Diego, Johnston,
Macauley, McManus, Moore, Mott,
Odon, Nelson, O'Neil, Pugh, Schmitt,
Wagner, Webber.
In spite of Speaker Stanton's an
nouncement that he would keep the
floor clear of all lobbyists and other
persons not officially identified with the
session, Supervisor Joseph Kelly of
Oakland, who is recognized as one of
the great admirers and staunch cham
pfons of the race track gambling ele-
ment, occupied a seat with Assembly
man John w. Mott of Alameda during
the session Tuesday. This defiance of
the rules of the house under the eye of
Speaker Stanton was commented upon
In rather vigorous language by some of
the fair-minded men of the assembly.
In order to secure the most accu-
rate information in regard to the atti-
tude of members on important ques-
tons, aside from such definite informa-
ton as may be CLEANED from the jour-
nails, the peoples lobby has instituted
system of inquiry by letter. When
members of either house take the floor
and go on oral record on any measure
vitality affecting the peoples interests,
ft1sAry
peoples lobby a request that they au-
thenticate or deny words attributed to
them, If such words are vital. One or
two Of the senators-Senator Savage of
Los Angeles county, for example-were
at first inclined to treat the inquiries
Of the peoples lobby with levity; but
the more sensible and discerning mem
bers understand the lobby means bust
ness, that it is not to be trifled with
that it intends to do exactly what it
says it will do-keep an accurate per
manent record of these matters and
give them the widest possible publicity.
Two other important measures are
billed for early consideration. These
are the proposed constitutional amend
ment for the adoption of the initiative
and the direct primary bill. Friends
of each measure feel confident when
the final vote is polled both will be
found to have passed with no amend
ment of a serious character. The pro-
posed initiative amendment reserves to
the people power to propose by peti-
tion laws, statutes and amendments to
the constitution, and to adopt or reject
the same at the polls, Independent of
the legislature, leaving. of course, to
the legislature its proper power to en-
act laws and propose amendments as
provided by the constitution.
Should qualified electors equal in to-
tai numbers to 8 per cent of all the
votes cast at the last preceding guber-
material election by petition present to
the secretary of state proposed laws,
statutes or constitutional amendments,
then, at the next general election oc-
curing after an intervening period of
ninety days, the secretary must sub
nit the proposed legislation to the peo-
pie, and in the event of its approval by
a majority vote it becomes immediate
ly effective.
Should the petitions be filed not less
than thirty days before a session of the
legislature, then the proposed legisla-
ton shall take precedence in that body
over all measures save appropriation
bills. The legislature may accept or
reject the initiative measure.
If it be rejected, or remain unacted
on for forty days, then the secretary of
state must submit it to the vote of the
people at the next general election.
Should the legislature, dissatisfied with
the proposed measure, enact a different
one, both are to be submitted and the
people are to choose. And statute
once adopted by popular vote is to be
repealed or amended only in like man
ner.