The Detroit times., 1911-04-22

ability OF the people 10 govern them
selves as an excuse rather than as
an honest conviction. But l am fully
convinced that not only are the peo-
pie entirely capable OF governing
themselves but that they are most
decidedly the best judges as to those
individuals TO whom they delegate
representative powers.
In times past and indeed even to-
day, the legislators are accustomed
20 appropriate TO themselves the
royal prerogative. and by the use Of
money eagerly furnished them by the
Interests" they represent, so corrupt
legislation that the best individual
interests OF the people are overlook
ed and the representative government
as understood by Mr.. Baker becomes
farce.
The people are long-suffering and
their patience Is well known. But they
have suffered long enough and they
are gradually evolving a system Of
popular government by which they
hope to do away with the chronic
evils OF the present system.
Mr.. Baker Is either a friend OF
popular government, or he Is not n
he is a friend OF popular government,
ipso facto. he must be an advocate Of
the initiative, the referendum and the
recall. The two are united and in
separable. II he Ia an enemy OF
popular government, then he is the
enemy OF the initiative, the referen-
dunn and the recall, and as such l
truly pity him.
When the initiative, the referendum
and the recall were under considera-
ton for the first time. II was freely
rumored by men OF Mr.. Bakers lean
ings, that these powers would be
abused; that government would be
rendered unstable II II were subject
ed to the whims and passions OF the
people. But experience, the best
teacher, MIR. Baker, has exploded this
argument. Wherever the people have
had the opportunity, under the initia.
tive. the referendum and the recall,
to exercise these powers, they have
proved themselves worthy OF them.
And they have not rendered the gov
eminent unstable. l challenge Mr..
Baker to find one fault with the lni-
tiative, the referendum and the recall
In Oregon, where ii has been thor
oughly tried and found to stand the
test OF experience.
The initiative, the referendum and
the recall are but one OF the features
OF popular government. II has been
the means whereby true reforms have
come TO pass, progressive laws and
constitutional amendments secured.
Mr.. Baker should remember that
the people are not always able to get
such legislation as desired But they
can get the laws they want passed
by resort to the initiative. Mr.. Baker
should remember that laws have been
passed favorable to certain corpora
tons, which never would have been
put In force II the people had the
power to resort to the referendum.
Mr.. Baker should remember that
men have held Office who have boon
disgrace to the positions they held,
and an unending source of shame to
the people they represented, who
would not have been a shame to
their office IL the people could have
! resorted to the recall. I defy Mr..
Baker to prove the contrary.
Granted that the powers Of the ini-
tiative, the referendum and the re-
call will be abused. Granted that
evils will arise, yet we are forced to
acknowledge, no matter how unRill-
ing We may be, that the evils of the
initiative, the referendum and the re-
call could never equal in magnitude
those that go hand in hand with that
system OF government bereft Of the
many advantages of the initiative,
the referendum and the recall.
Mr.. Baker holds that, "the chief
objection to the initiative, the refer
endum and the recall is the fact that
they provide for the levying of taxes
and the enactment Of laws without
submitting the proposed tax or law
TO the crucible or Judgment Of q de
Lucrative assembly"
Naturally one expects this objec-
ton from Mr.. Baker and indeed I
would be grievously disappointed IL
Mr.. Baker neglected to propose II.
We all know that there Is feeling
that certain corporations, which own
but very little tangible property, do
not bear their proper share OF the
burden OF taxation. Legislatures have
failed to provide a proper panacea.
Why? The reason Is obvious. But
give the people the direct power to
declare what taxes shall be levied on
those corporations who seek to avoid
their taxes, then and only then will
the proper remedy be found for this
mooted evil.
EARL b. YOUNG,
1872 Junction-Ave.