The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1911-09-13
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 13, 1911.
LAW MAKING BY POPULAR VOTE

Inc I0lluTc VI WOutouo ACkAoA0tAVC
assemblies to enact laws for which
there is q popular demand requires
that the people themselves take the
matter In hand. 1t has become the
custom with each political party to
make promises of legislative action
that are not redeemed by the candi.
dates who are elected, and law max.
ing by popular vote appears to he the
most satisfactory remedy for the stu
alton.
One of the most r~eprehensible in.
stances of failure to redeem party
pledges appears in connection with
direct primary legislation, which has
been promised to Montana voters BY
the platform makers and the conven.
lions Of each political party for sew.
eral years past. These promises were
devoid Of results, political tricksters
and other interests having succeeded
in preventing the enactment OF q sat-
refractory law that would enable the
voters to nominate their candidate
for public Office.
An organic alton to be known by the
significant name of the Peoples Power
League, Of Montana, was recently
formed with bon. Miles Romney, Of
Hamilton, Mont, as its president,
which promises to make the machine
politicians sit up and take notice.
Its work will include the init alton Of
law making by popular vote, and the
repeal of undesirable legislation by
the same course of procedure.
The league is sending out the neces.
cary Petitions to secure the submis.
sion OF the following measures to a
referendum vote at the next general
election:
Bill for;a law providing for part!
nomin atoms by direct vote, following
the Oregonlplan, including the Wis
consin "closed" system.
Bill for a law to remove the powe,
of money from elections by limiting
candidates. campaign expenses, pro.
viding for information of voters, and
Furnishing corrupt practices in cam
paigns and elections.
Bill for a law by which the people
instruct members Of the legislature to
elect the candid stes for United States
senate whosget the highest number oil
votes at the..general elections.
Bill for q lswDby which the people
express their preference for party can
did ates for PRESIDENT and vice presi
dent OF the United States, elect dele
gates to presidential conventions ant
nominate slielectors by di
rect vote.
The leagues corrupt practices bill
is q necessary complement to the di
rect primary law.9 It provides fo'
furnishing information to voters and
limits the campaign expenses Of can
didates. The proposed law to instruc
members of the legislature to vote fol
the peoples choice for United State'
senator makes itImandstory upon then
to follow the peoples expressed de
sire. The presidential preference
primary is the newest thing in legis
iation, providing for the expressio,
by the people of their choice for part,
candidates for president and vic
president of the United States.
To insure the submission of thes
proposed laws at the next general cleo
ton, 1t is necessary that the petition
be signed by 8 |per !cent of the tota
vote of Montana,E and that petition
come from two.lfths of the counties
The whole number ofIvotes cast for GOV
at thellast election is fixed a
the basis for computation.
There should be no difficulty in sc
curing the necessary signatures i
Chouteau countylorlsny part of Nor
tana where the citizens desire Ego,
eminent by the people,"