Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-09-21
Initiative and Referendum
Are Not a Panacea
By MI MCDONALD,
Clayton, N, Mp
Clayton, N, Mp

] HAS DttI dMtll uDOu ny VIA Wa
forefathers certainly did not have tho
o-pportunities. to acquire knowledge o
governmental matters that we have
They showed wisdom of a high order
in making "A constitution hat would
stand for a number of Independent
states, not accustomed to being har-
messed together, and jealousy fearful
least they should surrender to the fed.
GRAFTON too many Of the privileges OF
sovereignty. They showed wisdom OF
a high order in making the compro-
misses they made. We OF today in
New Mexico are not under the com
pelling necessity that caused so many
compromises to be Incorporated in the
United States constitution, and ours
should be a better constitution for
that and other reasons. The making
of our constitution will not require
the same high degree of WISDOM that
was needed in the framing of the
federal constitution. 1t will. however,
require KNOWLEDGE Of what gov
eminent should be and the courage to
apply that knowledge to present-day
conditions. just as it would have
been to the discredit of the makers
Of the federal constitution if they had
failed to make an advance over previ-
rus governmental conditions and ideas
Gp II Will " q pun NpiiililtllAdi Oii
our intelligence and executive capac-
ity ii we fail to hand down to those
who are to follow us something bet
ter than what We received.
/ was sorry to note Mr.. Clancy's
statement that. if sent as a delegate
to the constitutional convention, he
would wish to go uninstructed, or, to
be more accurate, unpledged. In the
early period of II government this
idea would have been correct, because
the representatives were not subject
ed to pressure from persons and cor
porations desiring special privileges
or immunities. Today, as is well
known for argument, special privilege
seekers are numerous n aggressive;
they bring the greatest possible pres
sure to bear on the representative,
in one way or another. in order to
obtain from him what they want. To-
day the only safety of the voters lies
in instructions to the representative.
But to return to the subject in hand:
There are doubtless many who regard
the initiative and referendum, taken
together, as a panacea for all our po-
ills. TO such they are likely TO
prove q disappointment, for we must
at all times bear in mind the truth
that it will require as high d degree
Of vigilance, and also of moderation,
to obtain good laws by means of the
combination of representative and di-
legislation as it does to obtain |
them by means of the purely repre-
sentative method: and it will require
greater knowledge. Mr.. Wilson'S arti- |
brings the matter down close 10
earth and deals with il in a common
ense way. The advocates of the prin-
,iple of direct legislation must remen-
Der that law making by means of
representatives is much more effici-
mt and economical than law making
~ all the people directly. II would
the part OF folly to require a Note
IA a proposed law before it should he
,ome clearly apparent that the legis-
allure had failed or refused to pass
he desired law and would continue
o fail or refuse to do so for an unrea-
length of time. In other
words, the initiative should be used
My in cases of necessity or emerg-
1t is my belief that the people
would use both the initiative and the
eferendum in Observation-Disclosures
1t may be mat a direct primaries
re-enforced by good laws in re-
ard to registration, the ballot. and
orrupt practices, would accomplish
- Ia ERtA ItEhAio that Gail ht
rought about by means Of the initia-
and referendum. 1t is certain
hat they would increase the effici-
ncy of u purely representative sys-
I'm OF government and thus make
ne need of the initiative and refer
ndum less noticeable and their use {
SIS frequent. For reasons heretofore
.ated, | should not wish to see these ,
Iatters fully incorporated in the CON
but should prefer to see
lem left for the Legislature to deal
18th. With the initiative and refer
1dum, we are sure to obtain the di- !
primaries law and the other laws !
lentioned as soon as the people want {
while without the initiative and
'terendum there would he no such '
srtainty. Witness the fight now being p
aged in New York state for the di- !
primary, SO far without success.
he same forces that oppose n initi- 2
tive referendum would lust as c
r%enuously oppose the direct primary. S
ertalnly We should not allow the di- I
ct primary 10 be used as an argu- I
ent against direct legislation. 9
Referring again to the fear of in I
walton apparent I'm several of the e
mentioned: Government is a a
cans to an end. The end desired is q
Re welfare of the whole people. the
reatest good To the greatest number.
end Is the all important consider
ioni the means is important oniyl
reason of the end to be attained.
e should never so magnify the inn /
)rtanee of the means as to lose
sht of the end. Have the writer's
hold in effect that governmental
are sacred and that no ''revo- i
tionarN' changes should be made. 4
'pt this fact in mind? Have not p
.ose who dwell on ''the wisdom of s
ir torefathers' assumed an attitude 8
mind out of keeping with efficienry b
I'd progress? S
In conclusion. direct legislation and b
rect primaries will be good only G
we use hem rs stepping stones to ?
tier things. In order to bring about \
g equality OF opportunity which IL 8
IS been u boast that our govern +
ent now furnishes. but which We
low il does not furnish. we shall be -
'liged in my view TO eliminate a y
measure. If not all, of the COM "
titive element from our Industrial Il
fairs. and 10 substitute for il a
measure OF cooperation. This NJ
cans a long step toward the popular al
inception of socialism. While social
n looks better To me now than any al
her plan or system for the improve oil
ent OF our political and economic 5,
AIRS mat has come To my notice. I "
; o committed to II or to nav other ~
an or system. l am willing % &C. s.
% whatever system shall he evolved m
time and experience. over the e,