United labor bulletin., 1910-02-25

The Denver Trades and Labor Assem-
bly,. through its committee made it possi-
BILE TO place a subject before the people
of the city of Denver, and especially the
working class, that is more important
than any other can possibly be. inasmuch
as it affords means whereby everything
that is good and absolutely necessary in
our political economy may be furthered
in the advancement of the cause of labor,
and most of the evil tendencies of our
corrupt and debanched political and civic
life that surround us at present be done
away with.
Such a means such a weapon, such a
method is Direct Legislation, the Initia-
tive and Referendum
Its affects on good citizenship and
adaptation to the education of members
of organized labor. and especially of all
the people in good citizenship is the sub
ject of this and future articles
Direct legislation by the people con-
the Initiative and the Referendum. two
words derived from the Latin. which is
self-explanatory: To refer; to initiate.
The first of these-Initiative-i a
principle of law which provides that
when a law or ordinance such as the
people demand is not forthcoming GER
tain percentage of qualified voters to be
affected by it may by petition originate
or initiate such a law. II the law-making
power adopt it, well and good. if not. it
goes before the people at the next cleo
ton.
The second of these principles of law,
/ the Referendum. provides that upon the
passage of any law or ordinance petit
ton signed by certain percentage of
qualified electors affected shall cause the
operation of the law to be suspended un-
til at the next election the people pass
upon it.
The exercise of these two functions by
the people is optional and will. of course.
occur only when the people do not get
the legislation they desire.
The value of direct legislation lies in
the fact that 1t would simplify the laws.
clear away all ambiguity and stop the
passage of laws which are not wanted.
1t would greatly improve the efficiency
of all public servants: the laws would be
more respected. they could be enforced
and dishonest, corrupt and inefficient
public officials reckoned with Immediate
ly by the use OF the initiative.
One of the most important questions
arises right here. That is: Would the
adoption of direct legislation be a help
to organized labor in their efforts to bet
ter the existing conditions OF the work
ing class in general?
| Most emphatically. Yes. Anything that
promotes intelligence. virtue and the in
terest of all, and tends to destroy vice
and crime as perpetrated under the ex-
isting conditions, is welcome by all hu-
man kind.
1t is not without reason that the
masses are in hopeless discomfort. We
see the monopolies. trusts and the great
railroad combines grow In wealth and
influence, caring less and less for the
well being Of their employees. We see
the concentration OF wealth getting into
the possession of few privileged indi-
viduals. while the masses have to live In
the greatest poverty and misery we see
the recipients OF class legislation gain
ing wealth at the expense OF the people,
and especially of the working class. and
evading the proper share OF taxation.
The law as today interpreted by the
shameful creatures OF these many-headed
corporations is being used 10 further the
complete enslavement OF tbs working.
men. women and children.
Already today IT is no longer legal for
members OF organized labor 70 quit work
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