The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1910-07-01
FOR DIRECT
LEGISLATION
Snohomish County Cen
trail Committee Adopts
Resolution Favoring the
Initiative and Referen-
dunn.

While we may not all agree with the
action of the Republican county cen
trail committee in endorsing the admin
istration of President Taft, we are all
pretty well united in commendation of
the resolutions adopted relating to the
nomination of judges for the supreme
bench and the initiative and referendum.
The removal of supreme bench nomina
tions from the workings of the direct
primary law was a piece of dirty po-
litical jobbery and an insult to the vot-
ers of the state and the Republican
central committee did we'll to repudi-
ate that action. 1t would have been
better yet had they protested vigorous
ly two years ago when the perfidious
act was being consummated by tn ring
sters and tricksters at Olympia. Incl
dentally, the machine dies hard, as wit
ness the mournful protest of one or two
of the machine politicians of this county
at the meeting last Saturday.
The central committee is deserving of
special credit for endorsing the initia-
tive and referendum. Now if they will
go the route on this subject and lend
substantial support during the long
campaign ahead of us before it can be
placed in the constitution of this state,
how pleased we will lall be. The pre-
cinct committeeman in each voting pre-
cinct in the county, can, if he has direct
legislation at heart, do much in his own
particular locality to advance the cause
and prove to the voters that not all
political resolutions are mere empty
forms.
Direct legislation is the most import
ant issue before the votersi of this
state. No man dares argue openly that
the people should not have the right OF
self government but the opponent of di-
rect legislation bases his argument on
the ground that they are not ready for
it. And down in his heart he hopes to
so prolong the issue that they never
will be ready for it. Direct legislation
has been tried however, long enough
to be no longer an experiment In
Oregon and in the several cities through
out the country where it is in operation
it has conclusive proved its usefulness.
The average voter very seldom makes a
mistake on matters of public policy
when the issue is brought cleancut be-
fore him. He often makes mistakes in
Judging men, but not in Judging meas
ures. Men are often elected to office
who are unworthy because the voters
are deceived in their character and the
same thing will occur in the future as
it is often very hard to place correct
estimate upon the worth and honesty
of men. But the voters in the main are
singularly clear in their estimate of
measures.
The candidate for office who is afraid
to trust the people with the initiative
and the referendum should be left at
home. His family needs him more than
the public does.
The voters in each Legislative district
should tab carefully the candidates for
the legislature on this measure. The
candidate on any ticket who refuses to
pledge himself unequivoeally to vote for
the submission to the people of ref
erendum, should be told that he is not
wanted at Olympia to misrepresent the
people.
Through the State Direct Legislation
League such pledge win be asked of
every legislative candidate of every
Legislative district, and The Journal will
take pleasure in publishing the names of
the men who sign this pledge in this
district and the names of the men, If
there be any, who refuse to sign. You
have a right to know how the men
stand ON this issue who would seek,
through your franchise, to stand in the
legislative halls at Olympia and make
laws for the people, whose servants,
presumably, they are.
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