The Mena weekly star., 1910-06-16
m GIVE POWER
 BACK TO PEOPLE
r.., I. ths Purpose of the Initiative ''s. s.a Referendum, Upon Which Ar
 kansas Is to Vote This Year
 Leciu CT Discusses It.
The Arkansas Democrat.

a
 f'V .i has made O'egou and OSli
 n ac,i tights q prog ress DOa oa adv rtised them all over the a"" ,;on. thousand~ of colulnfs in na nso her and magazines, which ns~sp oosy ronld not buy are given moS alr to the discussi Il of its l',,rdid results in these states. sIsou sand, of homeseekcrs are be- uo a,,r,cted to settle in these l1s l,es because an intelligent tax s.ser sa likes good, clean, economi- r,l government as well as good fertile soil:
 [, means genuine democracy, and .ss goyerument brought closer .o the people; il means an end of a,,f,, ~ bribery and political cor ssantion; itsmeaus a more intelli- nart and vitallzed citizenship. That Thst is what direct legislation means, and I believe all men and mon,en. who love good govern msrt. are of the opinion that ev- srv state in this Union can stand .trlfl. more of that sort of thing ,o ,,s advantage just now, to say notbing of the nltional govern meut itself.'
 su-h are the results of the ooeration of the initiative and re- rerendum as set forth by George Iodson King. national lecturer ior direct legislation. in answer ,o inc question of Democrat re- oor,er Saturday. MT. King is making a brief visit to the state, and IS stopping at Gleason's Ho- tel.
 II suppose you know that we are to vote on that question next September, our Legislature hav- iug submitted a constitutional amendment to that effect? said the reporter.
 Yes"
 "Do you think it will benefit Arkansas for it to pass.
 Would Benefit Arkansas.
 1t has benefited yol already. lis mere submission has attracted attention of thousands. They are watching Arkansas with iu- tense interest. The press is tak- iug notice already. Democrats aud Lincoln Republicans are pleased with the action of your Legislature.
 "Whv are they interested in our sffairs?"
 Mr. King smiled as though the question was too absurd for se- rlous answer. Suddenly he lean cd forward and said with in- tense earnes.ness: My dear sir, when Des Moines adopted the commission form of government it was not a local, but national event. No state, no city lives to itself alone. The people of the whole nation are restless and longing for better government. They are seeking way to get it. Direct legislation means better government; victory for the whole nation because it helps lead the way. Last year the Legislature of no less than ten states refused to submit the refer sndum to their people, that is, denied them the right to say whether they wanted 1t or not. The General Assembly of Arkan- sas, without tenth part of the agitation other states have had, showed it's confidence ia the peo- pie and submitted the amendment bTan almost unanimous vote. It was a splendid act. It was dem- oeratic. No wonder the people o Ohio, Massachusetts, Kansas, Pennsylvania, California and the rest oi them who sit W tn hands lied by trust-controlled, boss-rid- aen legislatures look to you with l'rand envy. It is up to you now, and they are looking to see now the voters of Arkansas will aequit themselves. That is why they are interested in your success ana why 1t will be a new glory to your state"
 Then you favor the commis. Slou form of govetnment?"
 Most emphatically. More 'aan that. fight for it. It i. sooa business sense. Result. prove that withstanding the op position and misrepresentation VI the selfish few in Des Moines Suo aetract 1t because they can, .O' run the city longer to theil own personal benefit"
 ,lS Does Not Destroy Government.
 =. Du' some say the initiative ssa sau referendum destroys repre-
 .su'auve government" was tht
 4'a, .v venture of the reporter.
 les know, it is the old CT,
 ;ss as. 'ne heavens will come dowf
 ",as so people take forward step
 ,.. scratch the skin of these
 some and vou w;ll 6ra .ao