Evening journal., 1911-09-13
EXPLAINS THE
REFERENDUM
MIR. Lltz Believes New
Thought in legislation Win
Cure Political RaSCaIity

strange new device. whose merits
and demerits are vague and uncertain.
IN truth it is a plan universally fol-
lowed in all parliamentary bodies.
Without it parliamentary law is inn
possible only through the substitution
of that meanest and most irritating
OF all tyrannies, the rule of the gavel.
The referendum and initiative are
the means by which self-government
is secured by any group Of men under
any conditions whatsoever. Inter-
ference with these Is just so much
subtracted from the fact of self-gov
ernment.
In deliberative bodies a chairman is
selected to preside. His duty is upon
demand 10 enforce the rules that may
be adopted. II any decision rendered
by him is thought to be in violation of
these rules any member may appeal
from such decision TO the whole body.
This is the referendum. In the alb
sence Of this right Of appeal the pre-
siding officer practically can do what
he pleases
II a member wishes action on any
matter he makes a motion 10 that ef
feet, and this, on receiving the sup
port of a second member Is placed
before the body for consideration and
adoption or rejection. This is the
initiative. In the absence of this
right TO move members are without
power 10 act
II the people Of the city. state or
nation, are in truth to be self-govern- |
ing II seems inevitably to follow that
they must have at hand the means of
making the government do their bid /
ding The people OF the city Of Chi /
cago. for instance, voted in favor Of
public ownership Of their street car
system. but their Board Of Aldermen |
were able TO thwart the popular de-
sire. The people Of Philadelphia. and
MANY other piaces. have repeatedly
found themselves unable TO achieve
their wish To many, self-government
has for such reason come TO be looked
uDOn as an iridescent dream.
This pessimistic view arises from
the fact we are possessed Of but
part OF the necessary machinery of
felf-government We are like an engi-
neer who has all essentials save the
governor. His engine will "go" but
It's action is beyond orderly control.
The initiative and referendum,
taken together, are called direct legis-
lation. That is just as in any de-
Lucrative body, if the usual machinery
does not produce desired results, the
body can act directly so, if our city
or other government does not act
rightly, the body Of the people, when /
possessed Of the machinery of direct
legislation. can act, or legislate, d.
rectly. Without this power they are
really not self-governing.
The Initiative.
It is proposed. therefore. to give to
a certain percentage OF the qualified /
voters IN any political body the power |
TO preface and present petitions for
proposed laws TO the whole body Of
voters--T This "a the exact equivalent
81 a motion in any club or society
save that considerable number Of
Seconds" Is required That is, each
signer of the petition really seconds"
the motion to adopt the matter pro-
posed in the petition. Such action is
the (initiative).
II Is sometimes said that the people
need only TO elect officials favorable
TO desired laws. and that thereby all
need for the device known as the initi-
alive will vanish. The fallacy in this
position comes from the fact that our
officials have many duties. An officer
NAV be highly esteemed and very
satisfactory in nearly all relations,
but at the same time be quite at vari-
ance with the people on some Quos-
zion held by them to be important
why shall we maintain system that
either deprives us of the efficient Of
fcer. or of measure that we believe
20 be expedient?
An officer was elected by a majority
OF TWO to one, although he declared
himself opposed 10 a policy that the
same constituency favored by a vote
of three 10 one. The opposing candi-
date. meanwhile. had declared in favor
OF this policy. The explanation is
simple. Other issues were, in the
opinion of the voters, sufficiently im-
portant 70 force this matter into the
background. II possessed of the
power TO initiate legislation, the voter
could also secure the adoption OF the
policy they preferred. They we're I'm
fact but partly self-governing.
The Referendum.
II is also proposed that the people
shall have power, expressed by petit
ton as explained I'm the above refer
cnce 10 the initiative, 10 promptly pro-
pose the defeat Of acts of legislation
deemed by them to be unwise. II a
measure has been enacted by the
legislature, a petition may be pro-
pared within a stated time, perhaps
80 days, and signed by the given per-
centage Of qualified voters, whereupon
IL shall be submitted 70 the people
for adoption or rejection This Is
exactly equivalent TO an appeal from
the chair. The matter may be placed
before the people at a special election
or at the next general election.
1t IS sometimes urged that under
such a plan the people would be vot-
ing all the time and on all manner Of
questions. In fact. the referendum,
where adopted. is seldom resorted TO.
Legislators are careful when they
know the people can reverse their do
ings; and, very much more important,
lobbyists are not inclined 10 use their
peculiar power OF persuasion on mem-
bers OF legislative bodies when they
know there are watchful citizens in
tent upon tho defeat Of their uefarious
schemes. and with full power to de-
feat them if the people so VIII.
Legislators are usually elected for
two years, and the people, who are the
principals. have no control Of their
agents save by criminal or impeach-
ment proceedings and constitutional
guarantees which are subject TO court
Interpretation. Would any rationa
business man give TO an agent oi
agents complete control-equal 10 al
frrnrroro HE r,ouro,- of .ffor,.. ,f l,s