The Detroit times., 1911-01-05

The right laws for the proper system
could Insure moro 10 the injured per-
son and al a less cost To the employer
The saving in court expenses alone
would be great. In the circuit court OF
large cities fully quarter Of the
ftime is taken up by the trial OF per
sonal Injury and kindred cases The
present laws are an aRominattonL and
must sooner or later he improved.
hope that this Legislature will start the
good work New York recently passed
woFkingmen' compensation act
framed by a special commission app
pointed by the legislature TO advise Il
The rights OF both employer and en-
ploye should be respected
You, gentlemen, Will know best how
10 handle this matter and I am coma
dent you viii address yourselves TO IT.
More STRINGENT Inspection az Mines.
~ is the Imperative duty 81 this
Legislature 10 enact further laws 10
perfect and extend the system OF regu-
latlon and inspection already existing
SO as 10 reduce To the minimum the
probability Of injuries and deaths from
industrial accidents. The inspection Of
factories, mines and workshops should
Dc taken altogether out ~ politics and
placed IN the hant of experienced and
competent men who would have an eve
single to the good OF the public rather
than 10 other Influences whether OF
party or OF wealth. While some pro-
vision has already been made for the
inspection ana regulation OF factories
anu Workshops. yet experience has
or complete, and no provision whatever
has been made for state inspection OF all
mines though many thousands OF men
are employed therein. | strongly rec.
ommend as a part OF the LEGISLATION
above suggested. the creation and estab-
llshment OF department for the lnspec-
ton OF All mines. and the enactment OF
a law making stringent regulations for
the protection OF all workmen engaged
In the business OF mining, and the en-
ployment or the most expert and COM
a TO
ions of this IVY
Initiative aud Referendum.
II IL evident that resort TO the initia-
tive and referendum cannot be practical
under the constitution. The constitu-
ton has been recently revised by "A
non Partisan convention Of strong men
and their work has been Endorsed in
It's ~, , entirely by a popular majority.
would have indOrsed the constitution
section by section. Consequently, | am
moved by my idea OF the peoples rights
TO suggest an amendment making il
practically possible-for the people to
initiate laws and amendments TO the
uti4r~independent OF the legisIa
ture ana nave them submitted TO the
direct vote or tac people.
The constitution declares that all po-
lltical power Is inherent in the people,
section !. article H. Section OF article
XVII. practically nullifes this declara-
tion. IL is provided that upon petition Of
20 per cent 81 all the electors voting for
election amendments to the coustitu-
ton may he submitted to the people un-
less their petition Is vetoed by ma
Jority vote Of the Legislature in Joint
session This section might just as
well never have been written into the
constitution SO far as recognizing the
practical rights of the people is con-
cerned and is an evidence OF the dis
trust Of the people felt by those who
did H. The constitutional convention
contained many good men. In fact.
hs4Y. f.aNN II
the convention was dominated by
shrewd corporation lawyers. / do not
say these men are not as honest and
patriotic a. they are able, but | do
contend that in the very nature OF
things. by temperament, special pur-
suit. environment OF occupation and
other cumulative Influences their atti-
tude of mind has come 10 be such as
would prevent them rom seeking and
taking the peoples point of view This
is not intended 10 he, and Is not Il re-
Election upon their character. The ball
lot box is the safety valve of govern
ment. Tn" easier IL Is OF honest access
pie 60 vent their feelings and the more
direct Is tho responsibility upon the
people. Responsibility breeds sobricty.
BY giving them every right and oppor-
unity To go TO the polls. the direct re-
sponsibility or the people is fxed until
II becomes matter " individual CON
sideration. With this will come the
realization that each voter is stock
holder indeed. and concerned in the
government. This will make him eau
tious and careful and develop a poised
desire TO know that he ia right before
he goes ahead. The Oregon law re-
quires petition by per cent Of the
voters TO initiate. | recommend the
submit ssion Of an amendment to the
constitution making IL possible FOR 40
per cent of the voters to initiate
amendments and laws for direct sub
mission and doing away with the veto
privilege OF the legislature
would also recommend that the
right 10 direct recall be included. When
the people have the right to discharge
those public officials who are derelict.
notorious public shortcomings will be
infrequent. There will he finer rcaii-
cation" that he public officer is a pub
lie servant In truth and the very exist
ence Of the right Of recall viii make for
conditions under which there Will be
"A lessened necessity for the exercise, of
the people awakens in them "A true de-
sire To be just in all things. The
peaple become more and more
each decade the jury in reality
before which all public questions
must be tried. fuller realizd-
ton Of this Will lead To greater con-
hd"ncc upon the part of all II the
game OF government shall be actually
played with the cards all face up with
out Juggling or shifting the cut the
way VIII be made for a better under
standing between all classes that will
persistently improve.
Regulation Of Liquor Trafdc.
Temperance Is a matter Of personal
discipline and is more OF "A moral and
social problem than political The
regulation Of the liquor traffic is
largely a political function. Tho up
heaval and interest in Michigan and
over the country along these lines are.
in my opinion. aimed more at the liquor
traffiC than at the temperate use OF
alcoholi, beverages. 1t appears that
Temperance Is handicapped unless those
~ no believe even in rationalism become
excited and militant. The saloon of
today is social Saprophyte. Always
1t has been a breeding place OF law
SO arrogant had IL become that gov
eminent bV saloon and rule by brew
cry was the practical condition! The
candidate who did not bow 10 the join.
keeper and the local official who did
not recognize the political power OF
alcohol As manifested through low
EroggertcS were u for fight all Of
tho time TO save their political lives
BrcWcries We're not COntcnted with "A
10 such saloons as might
naturally exist. 50 tGes entered upon
n artiuciti policy Of starting saloons
at all convenient places where the con-
stump tiOu 81 their product would bc
ton between brewers for the mstalla-
tion aud control 81 saloons Conditions
became Noticeable. The people broke
out H. youtFE Gus rebellion, all invoked
by the exaggerated communicating OF
alcohol
\ desire FOR better conditions exists
In tho Hcaif OF every good citizen, Tho
average man does not wish 70 ho fauat-
ical ut intolcrant. lie does not wish
TO apply sumptudrv laws that dbIidg"
personal liberty lvyond tho point OF
public good. But government by sa-