The Boise citizen. (Boise, Idaho) 1906-1910, 1910-11-11
Self Government

fGovernnlen is inherent right Of the people but this
right cannot be fully enjoyed unless they over e
ton The right laws defeat vicious LEGISLATION as
important the right to select public servants v constitutional
oysion people several states vested legislative power in
representatives who in theory to fulfil the wishes Of the people
in enactment Of laws Experience has shown that eg
es sometimes betray their and to establish
truly representative the people re their
constutonnang power BY reryng to themselves the right
whenever they desire propose adopt independently
of tile legislature and reject laws enacted by the Legislature This
overthrow OF representative government but is modica
ton that makes government truly representative
Possession and exercise Of the power Of direct legislation has
strong educational influence upon the people provides limit
less for the individual member of society and society
whole develop through submission Of laws the people
establishes accountability of the electorate for all legislation for
the legislator fails desired laws the people and will
Opponents OF direct legislation argue that people cannot under
stand submitted them and therefore should be given
e power laws AS well argue that child should keep
Of the until he has learned swim Once give the people the
power egsae and they will acquire knowledge OF public
questions and demonstrate degree of intelligence that will
ponens of direct legislation to shame
In most states the voter fulfilled the duties OF citizenship
when he has paid his and marked his ballot by choosing be-
tween candidates. both Of whom selected by political bosses
That limit of the voters power and responsibility In Oregon
the at his poW the mechanic at his bench and the business
man at his desk devote portion of their time to study OF their
government methods of improving it. They have become the
most intelligent most progressive independent people IN
e world They intellectual aters They cannot be led
TO the polls voted election day They do their own thinking
They do their voting They acknowledge no human authority
higher than mandate legally recorded popular election
The initiative referendum eevates the legislator through
realization if he fails enact needed and progressive sauo
under the initiative or VIII TeIeI
nn themselves they believe them uWlse or te
welfare The the initiative and referendum and the pos
sbi of its tends make the legislator view every question from
the standpoint of the people whom ne represents Inc metal
tude which the legislator thus induced to assume cannot DC
otherwise than beneficial but would obvlate occasion Tor IT'S use
The referendum protects legitimate business interests from e
attacks of Matchmaking legislators Everyone familiar with egSa
tive sessions that many ant1-corporatlon DhS are
m M other rose than to make interests attacked pay Tor the
abandonment or defeat of the bills pinch bills OF tins chaace
cost e corporations millions of dollars either direct payment 10
LEGISLATORS or maintenance of expensive lobbe Were the ee
endum in force bac1almg legislators cannot MAKE uel
effective for corDoraons uniuy assaied appeal to the PoPe
with l confidence the people are tar and hoeSl anu WI"
ov ter annroya to an unjust attack upon business or
On the other hand the referendum protects the Peoe
aiye grants of special privileges and forces corporate
cure desired legislation through sound argument i
Othe states should adopt an initiative and referendum amend
nn+ similar 10 that in force Oregon, because the oregon
nent has stood the test and has DeeI 60
- - I+ eors Of practical experience. Under the oregon
system Of direct legislation the people have acIep up
measures with general satisfaction as to results HAT he
nts of direct LEGISLATION in Oregon make the Drodu 49,
neonle cannot vote intelgenty upon measures s
thew do not point out any specific instance IN Wnc m -
played lack Of understanding OF IN Wlio' "
the popular will Nor can they DO So Oh, ,c serons mis-
takes that special sessions we're necessary ~ Of the people
special sessions have Deeh 0aIi0u "
under direct legislation. ,or,1ans Of special in
tee red;cteC1 that men of wealth would not invest Id ~
0re, e he initiative and referendum should DC SIei ,n
perience has proven asy OF the Prep - That amend
merca and industrial development s Her neope were never
ment has been more rapid than ever before Inn ev are to-
more prosperous, contented or De'ei 3
day . aud referendum should
be made the chief issue campaign u that knows no
part @ a the ys candidate for election s'5s e
legislature @ or convention s20pa and q no MAN should
?s define d his ttas sss e9 e pledges @ neqyoe to T15 sf
d4asf s ote o9 s SsSa hs seP5@sa s Rs
ratification By such means suonSo%n % # will be adopted
secured %s1trs aas yfs'Ss 1s ssops ,sos' 0
, III ~ ;it;atiye and referendum cons
1s s ats @ 'f @ f.5 i'. 80 II sssGas e"
ali efforts ' on first the IN pt2tss @ i4 primary Corrupt Pra