Evening journal., 1911-02-04
INITIATIVE AND
REFERENDUM
Friend Of Bill Replies to
Newspaper Comment on
Measure

Editor Of THE EVENING JOURNAL:
For the past few weeks, there nave
emanated from the editorial writer
of the Every Evening several criu-
cisme of that fundamental democrat
&c principle termed the initiative and
referendum, one OF them appearing
the week before last criticising the
percentage of voters required to pre-
sent petitions, and suggesting that a
majority of voters be required TO at
tach their signatures before q peu-
tion would be filed, which is about as
stupid and silly a suggestion as the
human mind could conceive Of. II
YOU procured a majority to sign a
petition what would be the use OF
putting the measure to a vote. II
would require an army OF canvassers
TO proceed to procure signatures OF
people that had no knowledge OF their
object. whereas, If a petition were
signed by a fair and reasonable num-
ber of citizens, the subject could be
| thoroughly discussed by delivering
! lectures, disseminating literature, and
discussion in many forms, and per-
haps some of the newspapers would
publish discourses for and against.
This would be a hundred fold cheaper
method than sending out an army Of
canvassers, as no special elections
are required for either the initiative
or referendum as any vicious measure
enacted by a Legislature with a petit
ton filed against II remains invalid
until the next election, and II the cit
liens assume the initiative at any
time the vote Is cast at regular cleo
tions, incurring very little extra ex-
pense, that OF printing only. The
corporate interests might be able to
hire an army of canvassers, but the
wealth producing masses will have
none Of that.
In the editorial of the 30th, criticis-
ing the methods of the agents of the
initiative and referendum, and the
measures voted on; The first article
was merely a method of procedure to
procure home rule. as far as the city
charter woald permit, for Whining
ton has always been governed from
Dover.
Atlcle 2. Was begging plea to the
Legislature to pass the New York
system OF assessment which asked for
the compilation of the assessment
lists, so as 60 show the total value In
one column, and the land value alone
4 I'm another column, and the publica-
ton thereof in such form that every
citizen might acquire a copy for ex-
animation. which is their sovereign
rights, without running to the City
Hall where the employees have bank
ers hours. and the books usually ca
eerly sought by real estate men, and
conveyancers. This measure was
lobbied TO death at Dover by the pres
ent incumbents Of tho city tax office.
Article 3. To publish expenditures
and receipts of the city government
which every citizen has right TO,
and should know. as the present city
auditor has occasion to hold some
disbursements up occasionally.
Article 4. To force assessors and
collectors to bond with a surety COM
pany. as said companies make good
fo- shortages and deficits. II any, and
requires the premiums on said bond
TO be paid by the mon so bonded, this
eliminating all straw bond. and other
refOrmers' schemes resorted to by
past lncumbents Of the tax depart
ment, al the expense Of the citizens.
This measure, like the rest, WAS car
ried by 10 to l voted but was tested
by tho assessor of the Southern dis
trict. Eugene NJ Sayors, before the
Superior Court OF the State. they de-
Gliding it unconstitutional, as Il would
require an amendment to the State
Constitution TO establish mandatory
initiative and referendum, which per-
tanned TO all of the measures.
And I'm regard to Article 5. The
Every Evening should have published
nrf ltnN ~, t..t.
railroad companies TO repair street
paving is another farce emanating
from our grand old antlquated repre-
sentative form Of government az
there was absolutely no penalty at
iached for enforcing the measure,
neither fine nor punishment. II looks
, as though there might have been q
; negro In the wood pile at Dover about
that time.
Tho Every Evening might do bet.
ter service by studying tho principle
, referred to. and stop bowling about
. the expense OF special elections which
. is not the object OF the initiative and
referendum, and has not been advo.
Gated by its adhe-ents. The subject
has been elucidated by the ablest ex.
ponents Of the Anglo-Saxon tongue IL
our nation today, and has been thor
oughly tested IN Switzerland ant
1 some Of the States of our nation, anC
with no intention of turning back, ant
has practically demonstrated that 1
n self-disfranchises the ignorant vote
v without force and it's concommittan
tyrannies, which has been another
howl Of a certain press.
The only way 10 learn to do a thin,
is by doing Il, and believe the aver
age intellect OF this State will com
pare favorably with the aforesai,
! editors, and believe he might serv,
5, human kind better by sending report
a ers to legislative assemblies TO not
the doings of the corporate lobbie
. and publish an account of the same
q for they were SO disgusting at on
4 session a few years ago that one Rep
Il resentative made a motion TO sweel
- them from the floor and II carried.
n Respectfully,
= Observant Citizen.
= Wilmington, Del, Feb 3.
nFn CrrrrVannsc ponu rrrnr