The Detroit times., 1911-02-08

The great task of the time is how
to make and keep the government
really representative of the people.
Powerful forces are constantly at
work to pervert It.
This is the initial problem which
must be solved before real progress
along any other line is possible.
In the final analysis everything else
of political nature is either inciden-
tai or auxiliary TO ii.
The initiative, the referendum ana
the recall have been proposed as Of
fective means for accomplishing this
result. They have engaged the
thoughtful attention of the entire
country, and in the recent campaign
in this state received the endorsement
of all political parties. They are close.
iy related to each other. have a COM
mon object and embody really cut
one idea-that of placing the people
in actual control of public affairs.
The Initiative.
The most important Of these re-
forms is the initiative. As it's name
implies, il contemplates giving to the
people the power to initiate, that IS.
To propose bills directly and without
the Intervention of the legislator, and
10 enact them into law, IL they so
desire. And so also OF amendments
to the constitution. This power OF
original and affirmative action II
legislation by the entire electorate OF
the state, is not likely to be exercised
except in reference to matters of
great public importance, and then
only after the legislature has been
shown to be unresponsive in giving
effect TO popular demand.
The initiative is not designed TO
abolish representative government or
even 10 limit its scope, but rather 10
perfect and improve IT, II should not
be employed in reference TO too many
questions at one time. But ] do not
approve the notion that the scope OF
the initiative should be so narrowed
as 10 exclude any subject, however
special or local II may be. In my
opinion no such limitation is defensi-
BILE or practicable. The idea is rather
that n many subjects be submitted
TO the people directly for their de-
termination. they may not take time
to study all of them sufficiently TO
vote wisely This is the view, TO Dor
row an illustration from another
field OF closely related political
short ballot. The people can be
trusted to act prudently in govern
mental affairs IN every case where
they are in possession OF information
necessary to enable them 10 form
Intelligent judgments. But they should
not be asked or expected to do work
which ordinarily devolves upon the
legislative ranch OF government.
There are some problems which the
people themselves. acting directly.
should solve: there are others more
complex and less fundamentally inn
portant which the legislature, with
its machinery OF committees and OPP
nortunities for debate, may handle 20
better advantage: and there are still
others so complex and intricate that
neither the people nor the legislature
can be reasonably expected 10 take
fime TO comprehend or fully master
but which should be turned over to
commissions composed Largely OF ex-
perts.
The beneficial effects of the initic-
tive may be realized. believe, by
making 70. as II Is intended 60 be
a spur and corrective TO sluggish 81
disloyal conduct on the part OF Erb.
lie officials and public bodies. Tie
initiative petition should. therefore.
contain such percentage OF the names
Gf all electors as will limit II prac.
ticaIly within tho scope hereinbe.orc
described end yet make II valuable
ks an alternative. means OF securing