The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-11-17


hcation of constitutions and other
questions of public policy has been
to popular vote. This fact,
however, is not a conclusive argu-
ment against the proposed adoption
of the initiative and referendum and
the recall if changed conditions or un-
forseen defects in the representative
systems render such adoption desir-
able.
"The arguments urged for the initia-
tive and referendum are
"First-That they provide means
for obtaining an expression from all
the citizens.
"Second-The' infirmities and dan
gers pertaining to legislative bodies
limited in number cannot be ascribed
to the whole body of the electorate.
"Third-They give opportunity for
a test of the public judgment upon
any question of interest to any con-
siderable number of citizens.
"Fourth-Salutary measures are
often defeated by the strenuous re-
sistence of a stubborn minority whose
condemnation legislators fear to in
cur.
"Fifth--They would tend to divert
the minds of the voter from absorb
ing interest in party success and the
election of favorite candidates, to
questions of principles, and the broad
er aspects of legislative policy.
"The objections alleged are:
"First-Apathy, the difficulty of
awakening sufficient interest to cause
the average elector to act or to reach
correct conclusions. The votes upon
questions where the initiative and
referendum are in use have often in
cluded only small proportion of the
total of voters.
"Second-The question of compe-
tency of the average voter Legis-
lation of the most helpful and en-
during character is always the result
of careful comparison of views and of
discussion The opportunity for a
consultation and the information OF
mature judgment is lacking in case
propositions are voted upon in the
form in which they are at first pre-
scented.
"Third-The intense individuality
of the typical American too often
leads him to regard political activity
as a means for personal advantage
and to vote, il at all, under the
promptngs of personal interest and
without an adequate sense of RESPONSE
bility for the general welfare The
dangers arising from this tendency
would be intensified.
Fourth Deny it as we may
great multitude of voters are often
swayed by passion or influenced by
superficial judgments and demagogica
appeals. The frs. Judgment of voters
even upon questions OF the utmost
Importance has rarely been accepted
as final. To this must be added q
very common opposition for sudden
or injudicious change. For eighty
years IN tho selection of the nationa
house of representatives. in the mids
OF presidential term the result, il
every case, has shown a membership
less favorable to the administration
than when the president was elected
"Fifth-The adoption of direct leg
islatlon as a method for the enactmen
or rejection of laws would diminish
the prestige and usefulness of legis
latlve bodies and lower the quality o
membership. Also the members woult
become accustomed to evadlng respon
sibility in the face of popular agitation
and would refer questions which the.
themselves should decide to popula
vote.
can argument of the highest i'm
portance for the initiative and refer
endum can be based upon the proba
blity that the interest of the averag
elector will be quiclened by the neN
responsibilities imposed upon him s.
that he VIII nay adequate attention
!, to public affairs and will no longe
think so lightly of the inestinabl
privileges that belong to an America
citizen"
! y