Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-29
B00MS OREG0NP[AN
George F. Williams for Initia-
tive and Referendum.
BRIEF TO SUPREME COURT
On Behalf of Five States He Wants
Method Held Constitutional.
GIVES REASONS FOR VIEWS
Says It Is Unsafe for Delegates
With Unlimited Power to
Make Laws.
BRIEF TO SUPREME COURT
GIVES REASONS FOR VIEWS

In the names OF the states of California,
Arkansas, Colorado. South Dakota and
Nebraska, George Fred Williams of Bos-
ton, Mass. yesterday sent TO Wash
ington brief, calling upon the Supreme
Court of the United States TO hold con-
stitutional the initiative and referendum
method of legislation adopted by Oregon.
This week he expects to ask the court
for permission to file 1t on behalf Of these
states when the Oregon case, involving
the constitutionality of the method. comes
up for oral argument before the court
Imperfect political conditions in this
country have led to a demand for the
initiative and referendum method OF leg
islation, Mr.. Williams informs the court
He speaks of the demand for II as a part
of the reaction against the control of
privilege
Inc present movement constitutes the
most momentous political revolution III
our history, Mr.. Williams declares.
conducted without bloodshed and even
without acrimonious political contests
Reform Like Tidal Wave.
The attorney for the states informs
the court that the reform moves on
like tidal wave. which legislatures and
courts cannot halt" He says that polit-
ical organizations have not been RESPONSE
bic to popular will: selection of good
men to office has failed: party platforms
are not regarded as pledges; the people
are unable to trust their servants
lie ADDS that all fear Of the executive
mas ceased after more than a century's
trial, but for the first time the Judiciary
mas become a subject Of apprehension in
the last few years." and the legislative
department proved the weakest depart
Experience has proven that It is not
safe to trust delegates with unlimited
power to make laws. and the question
presented In this case is whether there
remains IN the people the power to ap-
| ply controlling influences to them" Mr.
Williams argues.
Promises Not Redeemed.
he cites statements this year by the
governors Of Colorado. Maine. New York
and New Hampshire to show that legisla-
lures failed to redeem direct promises
OF party platforms. He details the
growth OF the movement in the states for
| initiative and referendum legislation and
| speaks of the support given 1t by the
| National Progressive Republican League,
"a new organization within the dominant
| party" and one that from the Mississip-
| pi to the Pacific is rapidly obtaining con-
| troll"
Mr.. Williams declares that the method
does not interfere with the republican
form OF government" which the federal
| Constitution guarantees to every state.
He argues that Oregon has a republican
form OF government, whether the peo-
pie legislate by direct or indirect methods.
| II 1t has not, he says. only the state.
and not the citizen. can complain.
Delegates Not Necessary.
The sovereignty Of the people being
conceded, the claim that the law-mak-
ing power can only be exercised through
delegates has a fair parallel" says Mr..
Williams, 'in the reasoning of the
chambermaid. who insisted upon hang
ing awry a picture of the leaning tower
of Pisa, and explained that she could
only get the tower to hang straight by
hanging the picture crooked" He adds
| that a government does not cease to be
q republic when the people refuse to
delegate all their sovereign power of
| legislation to agents.
He concludes by saying that the people
| of Oregon have not been disappointed
In the direct exercises of their sovereign
functions Nine other states have fol-
lowed in their footsteps, he points out.
THE people are At to govern them
selves. and are justifying the confidence
and injunction of the martyred Lin
coin"