Omaha daily bee., 1910-12-14
Initiative and Referendum.

MINDEN, Neb.. Dec. Ito the Editor
OF The Bee: II seems that much is writ
ten on the initiative and referendum with
out giving the subject the least thought
This state has had practical tests OF the
referendum at various times in its past
history and each time it has certainly
proven that the people have not taken the
interest necessary to qualify them to vote
as It Is argued they would II permitted
through the referendum.
To amend our state constitution the leg
islature performs the initiative and pre-
pares the amendment which is later pub
lished in dailies and weeklies broadcast
over the state Immediately before the cleo
ton, when interest in politics is greatest,
for three months and voted upon by the
people, witch is the same function as the
referendum
Amendments were submitted to the peo-
pie by the legislature which were abso-
lutely non-poIticai in character and which
were Of financial interest TO every tax
payer in Nebraska During the develop
ment Of Nebraska and especially during the
n.Hetles It has needed every cent at home.
Yet. up until a few years ago the perma-
nent school fund had 10 be sent to other
states for investment because OF limita-
tons imposed by our constitution upon the
class OF securities the money may be in
vested in. During this time our own schools
had to sell their bonds in the east at an
advanced rate while our own money went
east at a lower rate. To remedy this the
legislature, without being forced to Il by
any initiative or referendum. proposed TO
the people an amendment 70 the constltu-
ton which would permit Of the investment
in our own school bonds and other securi-
ties Of the permanent school fund. Yet
this amendment failed for a lack of ma
jority Of the votes cast at that election some
fifteen years ago.
Later this amendment was carried. how
ever. by subterfuge whereby the ignorant
or uniformed voter was caught voting for
the amendment instead OF against 1t. The
legislature, full OF the much hated poll
ticians, passed a law whereby political con-
ventions could take action favorable to
the amendment and such action would bind
every straight vote on that party ticket
unless specifically voted against It by the
voter Conventions. of course, are always
made UP Of scheming politicians and they
devised this scheme to get a necessary ma
jority for the above permanent school fund
investment amendment and also for the
railway commission amendment which has
worked so much good to Nebraska.
In this year OF grace 1910, when the peo-
pie rule by primary votes and referendum
another test again proved a failure. The
democratic legislature proposed the wise
amendment to limit the qualifications Of
voters 20 citizens who have attained full
citizenship. This amendment failed Of get
ting majority vote at the primary of the
democratic party. the party most RESPONSE
BILE FOR its proposal and the party and It's
leader the most clamorous for the referen-
dunn. Again It failed at the general cleo
ton, although It was given the benefit OF
all the straight votes cast by the republic
can. prohibition and populist parties, and
also all individual votes cast by the demo-
Gratis.
II referendum works as satisfactorily on
general laws as II does on the amending Of
our constitution 1t certainly will be fall
ure. II has always been a failure wher-
ever tried in the past. The fate Of Jesus
Christ was referred to the people by PLATE
and history records his fate.
Think Of the people selecting United
States supreme judges with the care and
discretion our most-wise president is now
doing.
One hundred and thirty years OF republi-
can form Of government has brought us
the Leadership among nations. Our sys-
tenn OF government is being copied in whole
or modified form the world over. Gladstone
declared 1t the most perfect scheme Of popu-
lar government that could be devised. All
forms Of government do not work exact
justice Was there a greater miscarriage
Of nominations than that Of Dahlman2 And
yet how near was he elected.
This letter has outgrown its permitted
limitations and therefore must be cut short.
Respectfully, A CITIZEN.