Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1910-09-08
THOSE NEW THINGS.

good many people who are enthusiasts
tic over the initiative and referendum
and the recall, just what these words
mean when applied to politics in Kan
sas. Some years ago; when the Poru-
list party was doing business, it al
ways declared in favor Of the intia-
tive and referendum and the Repub-
llcans rldiculed tie Idea. Two years
ago the Democrats endorsed the theo-
~ md again |; VIZ the butt Of Re-
yufIIcan jokes. This year the Repub-
llcans have resolved in favor Of the
initiative and referendum, the Demo-
Gratis have repeated their declara-
ton, and 1t looks as II the scheme
would be a go. And yet il is prob
able that very few people would know
the initiative and referendum If they
should meet 1t in the road.
The 'initiative" is method by
which a law can be proposed by the
voters and voted on at the election,
without regard to the legislature. II
eight per cent of the voters of the
state shall sign a petition asking the
secretary Of state to put upon the bal
lot certain measure, 1t must be
printed on the ballot and the voters
at the general election vote yes or
no. II majority vote yes the mea-
sure becomes a law. For example, II
8 per cent (per cent named in the Re-
publican platform) propose law
permitting druggists to sell liquor
for the purposes allowed by the con-
stitution, 1t will be voted on by the
voters as described.
The referendum is applied to acts
OF the legislature. For example, II
the legislature passes law permit
ting druggists to sell liquor, and five
per cent OF the voters petition that
u no submitted to popular vote.
1t must be printed on the ballot and
the majority Of the voters will decide
whether or not 1t shall remain a
law.
We now have tho initiative and re.
ferendum under the commission form
o. government in the cities, although
the required per cent is much higher,
The recall is provision by which
ON the petition Of certain per cent Of
the voters any public officer can be
voted on again and II not reelected
he is recalled" For example If the
people are not satisfied with the
work of the secretary Of state they
can file a petition for his recall. An
election will then be held to choose
his successor and the officer will be
considered candidate unless he de-
cllnes,
Another plank in both Republican
and Democratic platforms is for the
Oregon plan OF election of U. s. SEN
ators. Under this scheme the names
Of the party nominees are placed on
the general ballot in November. A
Republican can vote for a Democrat,
or vice versa. For example two years |
ago a Democrat could have voted
for Bristow without voting for the
Republican candidate for Represent
tative and a Republican could have
voted for FarrelIy without voting for
he Democrat for Representative. The
members Of the legislature cannot
be legally bound to carry ont the
wish Of the majority Of the people.
,ut they almost surely would 10 so,
md such wal the case in Oregon,
when a Democrat who receil ed q ma
orlty of the vote was elected senator
}! the Republican legislature.
This is certainly as go1d a method
D ppproximatlcg a dire,t vote on
enators as eau be figured out under
Re constitution of the United States
Witch requires the elect IN by the
-Hutchlnson News.