The Boise citizen. (Boise, Idaho) 1906-1910, 1910-05-20
Governors on Direct Legislation

f the initiative and referendum with the reca-unqueion-
hsn M greatest reform before the American people Great
a ] # carries within itself all other reforms Tersely stated
e III means that the of its becoming law any question
nav be brought popular vote by petition OF small percentage
may thus giving opportunity for people to secure
on they fit Through the recall they may
any eant public officials do their duty replace them with
someone who will
Following are Sonic ol lhe oPos VI 'douS S governors
on the subjects , ,r:... ,..
sage desire to renew recommendation made by the
re in the of the enactment OF law covering what is
1v known advisory initiative and referendum, which
sd hermit the people of the state county, city, village
@ their views upon questions affecting their organization This
fast gaining ground upon the theory that the duly elected
~ e people are after all but the of the people, and
@ the people ought have the right express their views with the
The nnbic servant might in measure
d bv those views This principle but step further than
S right of petition and not binding upon the otce The en-
mn of law providing for the advisory initiative and referen
@ ran be accomplished with constitutional amendment and
v believe that such legislation is desirable In last message
stated that there good and valid against SUBMISSION
M neone of proposed constitutional amendment providing for
b direct G e. mandatory initiative and referendum This would
rive e neope of whole the right to declare whether or
not they believed in the but whether or not you would
care to go in this direction am certain that there could be
no objection plan providing for advisory initiative and refer
endunl
Hon Ton Sraroth of Colorado in his inaugural address,
January 1909; -,;o, ,e were elected is demand for
e initiative and referendum legislation by which the people
@ ne LEGISLATION to submitted popular vote Under
the provisions present constitution OF this state the e
i
4 therefore recommend that be passed submitting to the
voters an amendment the constitution permitting tne Ly
and referendum legislation by the people oucn I
na amendment has been adopted by South Dakota Oregon
Nevada Oklahoma Montana, Maine and MISSOURI ana III lHoe
form by many other in the union
fh character of legislation under such constitutional amend
mt has been tried with excellent results As the people
nder sc laws become the legislators OF measures II
puts stop to the attempt improperly influence members OF l
legislature in which the public are valy teIesle
make legislators more careful OF uleir Eoe
o-1- ,,toIt he
preston"
Governor Dawson of West Virginia his annual message OF
January 49, 1909 spoke of the Overwhelming puDhc ~ -
this state which demands that the people be allowed to coose %
political nominees United States senator to constable
he added: r,
HALFWAY measures will not suffice The people are in no num-
be rifed The day of the initiative and referendum b
here may retard the time of its full effect Out o & M o
long to postpone the operation OF the program ta
pie have made up their minds carry out with reference 70
government He poor observer OF the signs VI u
does not see that the neope propose to larger action IN the
ton of policies 10 concentrate power and responsibilities
for the people methods the ofces-n short to nave e
dnment'
Acting Governor Denver S Dickerson of Nevada in his mes
sage to the legislature January 49, 1909 for be referen-
Provision has already been made IN our state lo @ - re-
DUN of laws enacted by the legislature to the voters or
lection approval (the reerendum) and 1t mas given
Siacion 1
Closely identified with this law OF the initiative IN eg
Ston whereby the electors without the Intervention OF e
ue may into law such measures as they ueeii'
necessary. - r,,,1e
The advisabl of amending the constitution 50 as ~ Pcnd
for the initiative in legislation commended to the laVoO
Grafton Of the legislature
Hon Joseph K Toole democratic governor o IN endrn
1900 to 1909 who helped establish the initiative .
that one of his annual messages to the and spirit
Il know nothing in accord with the g"o iirect leo
American institutions than what popuar known as L enc Of
Nalon. 1t had its birth in Switzerland 1t IS 'ne Wy
government by the people. r~se Of delib-
1t fosters and encourages the formation and instead Of
crate and Independent judgment the part ol m and design
aperunctory blind following of disloya DESCENDING any
ng leaders - o,ores-
I'll the sure defense Of the people against mlsrue anu