Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-13
powers OF the executive and the direc
power of the people.
Mob and Majority.

He spoke OF the caprice Of the majority.
Il have known of Instances of the caprice
of the mob he said. but I have never
known of any instance where the vote
of the population was spoken of as a
caprice. i have read of gentlemen speak
ing recently in distrust of the people and
using that DID, erroneous phrase mob
rule
What is a mob? mob is a body
of people Immediately associated with
each other, acting under the impulse of
passion. but that does not apply to a
thousand men in a community in scat
tered portions casting their ballots.
Il don't believe there is any dfstrust
of the fundamental principles of democ-
racy. l believe We are all democrats If
we use small ID. l wish for the saliva
ton of your souls that l could use a
large ID also. i believe that Gov. O'Neal
feels as Gov. McGovern feels, and that
we are merely at odds as to the best
method of giving expression with refer
ence to that great public opinion upon
which all depends.
O'Neal Reiterates Views.
Gov. Wilson bowed and sot down. Gov.
ONeal sprang to his feet and shouted
the reiteration of his belief.
Il would rather stand with Madison
and Hamilton he said. than to stand
our western statesmen"
The whole purpose OF a constitution
No also said, is to protect the minority
and limit the power of the majority.
There has never been a government by
the majority without a constitutional lin
ltation on its power that has outlived a
generation. Gov. Wilson has overlooked
the fact that when I spoke of the caprice
OF majority l was speaking OF the re-
call of judges When you establish an
stituted mob law in this country. I agree
that the British system is a good one,
but that is quite different from the initia-
tive and referendum. 1 believe that II
the legislature will not cooperate with
the governor to carry out the people $
will he should have the power to appeal
to them to commission other men as leg
islators. but not enact laws themselves.
Then don't you think" asked Gov:
Hoke Smith of Georgia. that it would
also be in order for the legislature to
have chance to bring about the recall
OF the GOVERNOR
IF the governor doesn't carry out the
will of the people," replied Gov. O'Neal
'let him try for reelection and he will
soon find II out
Danger From Lobbyists.
THE trouble is said Gov John F.
Shafroth of Colorado, that lobbyists
swarm in the halls Of legislation and the
peoples will is ignored. The people have
voted for certain laws explicitly, and yet
they have been defeated year after year
IN the legislature. In my own state GER
tain proposals were adopted unanimously
by the convention of my party and were
largely indorsed by the other party, yet
the legislature adjourned without passing
one of them.
What would you do in such a case as
that? Is it possible that the people should
be helpless? ! called a special session
just before the time that the members
were up for denomination and they
finally passed the initiative and referen-
dun. In the election 1t was ratified by
the voters 312 to l, out IL had been beaten
in the legislature year after year
don't believe the people would be willing
to give me an increase in power if we as
governors stood remote from them With
the initiative and referendum the corpora a.
tons will not pay money to men who
can't determine legislation and who are
not the final arbiters."