The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-10-20
JUDGE MATTZNGLY ON THE
INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM

srRUcTIoNs TO their representatives; nor
can any honest representative, tell, UN-
TIL HE HAS HEARD A MEASURE THOR
oUGHLY DISCUSSED, by representatives
of all OTHER SECTIONS of the working
class, what FORM the measure should
take, so as TO keep the interests Of HIS
CONSTITUENTS in DUE sUBoRDINATIoN
to those of the (whOle) community.
1T is to be condemned further, that,
intelligent reformers, especially working
men who have grasped the principles Of
socialism, are always the minority; they
may address themselves with success to
the sympathy of the masses and gain
their confidence, but the dry detail Of
the legislator and administrative steps
by which they move forward toward
their goal, CAN NEVER BIZ MADE INTER-
RSrING, TO the ordinary voter.
For these reasons, the referendum
in theory, the most democratic of popu-
ular institutions IS IN PRACTICE THE
MOST REACTIoNARY; and is actually be-
ing strenuously advocated in England by
noted leaders Of anti-socialist opinions,
when the openly declared intention of
using it, IS TO STOP all further progress
to social democracy"
So it is regarded by the real nestors Of
the policy as not alone a remedy for
certain evils, but an agency we'll adapt
ed to the devices of the enemies TO good
government as we'll as to more praise
worthy purposeses.
And in the modern and recent instan-
ces we note: THE Public, a noted
single tax" publication of Chicago,
frankly admits that they are for the ini-
tiative and referendum. because only
through direct legislation will they be
able to secure the single tax and COM
mon ownership of land III Ohio and else
where.
Personally we do not oppose the prin-
ciples and purposes involved in the pro-
posed policy of direct legislation, nor do
we stand against its free adoption in the
legislation of Ohio, as to all questions of
general policy or matters of general in
terest to the people of the state We
hold that it is already a policy deeply
impregnating the legislation of Ohio,
and without restraint in the organic law
as expressed. The scope may be liber
ally enlarged doubtless, with material
advantage to the people. The policy
only presents itself to the people under
a new name and not essentially the We
hicle of new and novel principles. In
those cases where we have tried it, by
common consent it has been accepted by
all parties as a most wholesome means
of answering public sentiment. Hence
l am as favorable to the policy as its
most vehement proponents. But the
issue presented is not one of favor or
disfavor. The question that will become
insistent before the convention, is,
whether it shall be made an express
command of the constitution or left to
free introduction into the legislation of
the state as the needs may arise l am
convinced that the latter proposition is
not only prudent, but eminently the best
course to take during the formulative
period of the policy in these states,
leaving Ohio unhampered by its evil
tendencies and in a position later on to
adopt or reject 1t as the experience of
the states now testing it may recon-
mend. In conclusion, without any dis
position to curtail its present use, with
no opposition to its we'll known good
operations, 1 would be opposed to max
ing it an express exaction of the consti-
tuition. Otherwise I am heartily in ac-
cord with its proper use.
ROBERT L. MATTINGLY.