The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-06-05

By Robert L. Owen, U. s. Senator
 from Oklahoma.
 (Written exclusively for and furnish
 ca by the Press Bureau, National
 Democratic League of Clubs. All
 rights reseryed1
 These are old principles under new names. The Initiative means, in mod ern parlance, the right of the people by petition, ordinarily eight per cent of the voters. to initiate law that the people want, which must be sub- mltted to them at the next regular electon. A majority of the voters may thus adopt the law for which the petition has been made This is call- ed 'direct legislation"
 The referendum is the right of the people by a petition, usually five per cent to suspend any law passed by the Legislature or city government and compel it to be submitted to the vote of the people at the next regular cleo tion.
 The Recall is the right of the peo- pie by petition usually twenty-five per cent in cities. to nominate successor for an officer who proves to be crook ed or unacceptable for any reason. The former officer can be a candidate, if he likes, but the people pass upon the
  Usually the law is not applicable for a reasonable time, during which the official may become used to his off, flee.
 The initiative has its precedent in American history in the New England town meetings, which initiated pro- posed laws and issued instructions to public servants, and in the county con- ventions in the South, which exercise like authority. The Constitution of the United States was adopted by delegates, who were instructed by the voters to vote for it or against 1t.
 The initiative Is taken by any mem- Der of the Legislature who moves a certain bill A member of any par liamentary body who moves a cer- tain action, takes fthe initiative and there is no sound reason why the body of the people should not have the right to make a motion in favor of a law they do want, or make a mo- tion in favor of vetoing a law they do not want, by the Referendum.
 All local option laws are based upon the Initiative and Referendum prin- cip1e.
 All of the Constitutions of the States and the amendments of the State Con- stitutions are determined by a ref erendum.
 The right of Recall was exercised by the thirteen colonies and is eX- press1y declared in Artcile V of the Articles of Confederation. It also ap- pears in many of the State Constitu- tions. in which. by an address of the Legislature, they may recall judges from the bench. The right of impeach- ment is the right of recall, under diff however, in short elective tenure is automatic recall,
 These direct processes of passing laws the people do want and vetoing the laws the people do not want and recalling public servants who prove to be crooks, has become necessary in modern days because commercial in terests have gone into the governing business through making politics, money to town county and State machines and getting gov arnment privilege in return.
 The new method of governing, by direct legislation-the initiative and Referendum-has received widespread approval in over half the area of the United States, because it has been found that a thorough going corrupt practices act and other needed reme> lies could not be passed through Leg slatures elected by corrupt practices.
 These principles are essential in or Ter to restore integrity of government. The first step in improving govern-