University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1910-05-31
MISSOURI'S INITIATIVE.

Until quite recent years in Missouri
the people were generally interested
in the state government only 10 the
extent OF seeing that it did not cost
much. 4 somewhat shifting group OF
politicians asserted proprietary inter-
est in the government their title 10
it resting on their willingness 10 i'm
pose low taxes.
A change has come. Missouri peo-
pie are interested in the state govern
ment for what it can do Tor them in
material way and Tor the Square Deal
politically. A very large proportion OF
the citizens have ceased voting Tor
candidates by the rule OF whether
they happen to be born Democrats or
Republicans. Some OF them still vote
by hereditary influence. but this class
is steadily getting more sense or dy-
ing.
Under the stimulus OF a more active
citizenship the state is becoming an
instrument for the peoples doing
things collectively which they cannot
get done by individual effort.
A big result OF the change. and at
the same time a hopeful incentive 10
more growth in the same direction. Is
the direct popular legislation in the
form OF OF the initiative and refren-
dun. Added 70 the state constitution
at the election in 1905. this step for
ward in the peoples control OF their
own affairs is right now in the period
OF its first trial.
movement for referendum. The leg
islature did not pass any law bad
enough 10 incite the people TO de
mand that il be referred 10 their vote.
But the legislature neglected TO pass
some laws that the people wanted and
TO submit some question Tor popular
vote which the people wanted 10 vote
upon. Or else the legislature did not
have the power TO do certain things
the people desired done. SO the ini-
tiative is being invoked along some OF
OF these legislarively omiSsiye lines.
That condition is significant; for al
ways the chief defect in the state gov
arnment has been not what the law
makers have done. but what they have
not done
The initiative question already peti-
toned for or now being petitioned for
include these:
l. The prohibition OF the manufact-
ure or sale OF intoxicating liquors in
the state
. a yearly levy OF three cents on
the 500 OF taxable wealth in Missouri
for the support OF the state univer-
sity.
3. Separation of the sources OF state
and local revenue; the abolition OF the
state general property tax, and local
option among the cities and counties
OF the state concerning local revenue
measures.
4. Home rule in police and elections
affairs in cities.
Other initiative measures may be
voted upon by the people Of Missouri
next November. These four very GER
tainly will be-
It is notable that not one Of these
measures is OF the freak" variety.
Not one reflects merely a special view
point or isurged TO help one class at
the expense of another. Each pro-
position IS either obviously in the
public interest or else is so much in
discussion tnat it ought TO be voted
up or voted down-settled in the peo-
pies tribunal one way or another.
There is no assurance at all that any
or all OF these questions will be voted
upon by the people with infallible
judgment. The people may decide
them all rightly. or all wrongly, or
some OF them rightly and some OF
them wrongly. In such bric-and-mort-
ar subjects as taxation, etc. the peo-
pie may not in one or even two or
three canvasses develop enough in
terest TO get clear understanding OF
the principles involved. But the fine
thing is that if any mistakes are go
ing to be made. the people themselves
are going to make them. They are
running their own affairs. They are
actually putting the theory OF popular
government into practice. and all the
while they are strengthening the
growth OF vigilant, progressive citizen
ship in the state-kansas City Star.