The Lamar register., 1910-08-17

lions. it is almost impossible to con
centrate public attention upon the vote
initiative removes the temptation of
legislators to vote against the will of
the people, because it removes the in
terest OF those seeking special privii-
in their heir. votes. Special Interests are
members of General Assemblies for the
defeat of bills. when the people can
and their decision be final. This law
would therefore produce a purifying
and beneficial effect upon every legis-
appeal in behalf of measures must be
to reason and not to selfish motives.
As those who are not intelligent are
mitted. the law acts automatically as
an educational qualification. and gives
the most intelligent expression of the
people.
The Referendum Is a veto of the
electors upon any measures passed by
ed as detrimental to the public well
fare. As the law is now, no matter
how reprehensible the legislation may
be. the obnoxious statute remains for
the full term of two years. and as 1t is
very difficult to repeal legislation. 1t
laws passed by the General Assembly
only right ana fair that II an act is
opportunity to defeat the same.
Those who think that the sentiment
for the enactment of these measures
is local to the state of Colorado. or
partisan. are sadly mistaken. The peo-
pie OF Maine. oregon. Missouri; Utah:
S SI9ah DakSS.a, Montana; Nevada and and
adopted constitutional amendments for
the Initiative and referendum. A great
these measures applicable to their re-
spective municipal governments.
Many recent platforms of the Demo-
cratic and Republican parties in con-
NentlOnS OF various states nave de-
manded the enactment of these prin
ciples of government. The movement.
endum is now well under way in
thirty states in the Union. The contest
tiyes against the rules of that body.
which concentrated power in the
speaker. was spontaneous expression
of the representatives in behalf of the
rule of the people. The movement in
Great Britain to abolish the House of
Lords has its foundation in the fact
that II is not representative parlia-
mentary body.
The law OF the Initiative and Refer
to the people, and that has always been
the aim OF the trainers of all republic
can forms of government.
The Pure Australian RnIIot.
BY reason of the fact that the names
OF unfit candidates are placed with
those Of the worthy and qualified nom
inees on the same party ticket. 1t is In
the law should provide that the voter
Indicate each candidate for whom he
desires to vote. instead Of making i
easy for him TO vote for the good and
the bad by one vote for party ticket.
The state is entitled to the judgment
each candidate who seeks to conduct
the business OF the state. Such law
would compel better nominations by
P PominatioRn s feT Offices OF rf mem unfit iii
for or unworthy of public trust: would
compel a closer inquiry upon the part
character and fitness and would there
fore be educational in Its tendency.
The Direct Primary Law.
Under the present system of nom
grows up in every state number OF
men who perpetually control conven-
tons, They generally obtain their
with money. and other Influences Of
the great corporate interests OF such
elected by such Influences. they are
often subservient to the will OF few
men. who dictate the candidates and
This method is inimicai TO good gov
eminent and tends 70 elect candidates
interests OF the people. Under the Di,
from the Influence of any other per-
those candidates whom he believes to
be most worthy of political preferment-
The DIRECT Primary Law is not an ex-
ed IL has ever repealed IL. There are
twenty-sIx states OF the Union now
making Direct Primary nominations.
Governor Hughes OF New York. at n
public meeting a few days before the
converting OF the extra session OF the
Legislature. which he called to enact
words:
II action Is postponed the issue will
remain. You cannot get rid Of IL. try
as you may. II is not my issue. II
against those who have abused party
government for their own purposes"
The hank Guaranty Law.
The business of banking affects SO
many Of the people, both directly and
Indirectly. that 1t has long been con-
sldered proper that Safeguards should
be created and enforced IN favor of de-
positors and for the prevention OF dis
turbances in financial affairs The de-
positor has a most vital interest in the
bank. The accumulation OF years may
be wiped out In a single day. The
bank is the place where moneys are
kept. and SUSPENSION, or failure. not
but checks Immediately credits and
paralyzes the Industry OF the entire
bonds is almost Instantly felt. 1t Gre
ates panics and affects the value of all
forms OF property. Banks are quasi quasi;
with power to do business by the cor
porate laws OF a state. Every one con-
cedes they should be regulated by law.
The bankers themselves ask for most
of the regulating statutes. In my judg
ment the best form of regulation is
by a law requiring by either bond. or
by the creation of a fund. the guar
anty of deposits.
The most satisfactory law of this
character which / have been able to
find is the Texas Bank Guaranty Law.
1t provides that all banks Incorporated
In that state should pay into a fund
for the guaranty of deposits a certain
per cent. upon the deposits held by the
banks, as a guaranty for the payment
Of the deposits of any failing bank.
That II the bank does not care to make
such payments. 1t may execute bond.
with good and sufficient security.
guaranteeing the payment of its own
deposits. BY the creation of guar
anty fund II establishes in the banks
confidence which prevents. or at least
mobiles. acute conditions during mon
ey panics.
The reason people become panic
faith In the ability of the banks to pay
the deposits. Often without reason or
any justification whatever, people pre-
cipitate n panic much to the detriment
of the entire community.
The trend of the age is towards in
surance against calamities. When large
insurance companies conduct their bus
mess. II is at an enormous cost to the
individual Insured. Hundreds of thou
sands of dollars are paid to officers
and agents of such companies and
large expenditures are made in other
lines. and yet people. knowing this. are
willing to take out policies of insur-
ance In order to avoid disaster. The