Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1910-10-06
THEORY VS.. PRACTICE

The idea or the initiative and ref
erendum unquestionably appeals on
first thought, to many of the voters
and it was probably incorporates in
the democratic platform with the
hope that it would prove to be a vote
getter. 1t may be safely stated that
careful study of conditions brought
about by the enactment of this law
in the state of Oregon will deter the
voters of Idaho from saddling simil-
ar legislations on to this state
There can be no question that,
theoretically, the Initiative and Ref
erendum is a step towards the mil
enium, but il does not work out that
way in practice. Switzerland gave
birth to the idea and the conditions
ia that country are such that the law
may be carried out in spirit as we'll
as in the letter The entire area of
Switzerland is about one-sixth of that
of the state Of Idaho. It's population
is more than ten times as great 1t
has reached the height of its develop
ment while Idaho is only in the first
stages of development In Switzer-
land conditions throughout the coun-
try are entirely similar and indus
tries are limited. In Idaho the con-
ditions and climate are varied and
there is a wide diversifcation of in
1ustries. The entire situation might
be canvassed indefinitely in this man
ner. but the same result would be
reached, namely, the difference 10
conditions and mode Of life between
the people of Europe and the people
of America. and it as this difference
which makes America unripe for the
Initiative and Referendum.
The constitution of the United
States provides a safety valve through
legislation by delegated power. AMI
the constitutions Of the various states
have been modelled after this plan
Through it there can be not hasty a,-
ton, as well ordered debate brings
out the merit of any proposed law.
ana it's workings are we'll understood
by the people. Under thelnitiative and
Referendum any citizen may initiate a
measure for submission to the peo-
pie. who by their votes may make it
mandatory upon The legislature to en-
act such measure. or may refer any
enactment of the legislature to the
people for approval or disapprovaL
This can result in nothing but chaos.
= as the people and the legislature
would often be working at cross-pur-
poses. The average voter has neith-
p en- the time nor inclination inves-
igate the legality of proposed laws lie
does his full duty when he delegates
= this power to man qualified to rep
resent him in the legislature. If the
F. Initiative and Referendum is desir-
able in the various states, there i.
r no reason why the principle should
{ not be extended to the nation. The.
$ the people of the country might nav,
an opportuniIy to vote on taun
d measure, on an appropriation or on
r other national legislation The PEG
pie of idaho would be in a sorr,
S plight if they We're called upon 4,
d vote on a tariff measure initiated il
b the state of Massachusetts, and vic,
n verse This might be called an ex
r aggeration, but it IS given to SHOW
e what might be the effect of a gener
S adoption of the idea.
e The political crank revels in tn,
e idea of the Initiative and Referendu a
l. Through it he is enabled to put al
to the people the vagaries of his i'm
agination in the shape of a propose,
law. and the language in which tn
proposed law is couched is usuall
l. so obscure that the average vote
l. does not know what he is voting on
L He spends a few moments in the vot
81 ing booth, and in addition to select
r. ing those who are to represent him
10 be is called upon to decide question
y which should be left for solution b
" his representatives. This year in ore
'' gon he voters will be called upon {
'n dc id5 32 such questions. DO the pee
e. pie of Idaho wish to have this sam
Sc kind o. a handicap bienially? Their
st are many constitutional and logics
* reasons why they should not
re
*