The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-17

of reach state as to weaken or overthrow the representative principle and inaugu- rate a radical revolution of the basic principles on which the fabric of Amerl- can government rests.
 'I admit that it is seriously claimed that the initiative and referendum would not cause an abandonment of represen tative government, but no candid mind can doubt that a legislative body with it's functions and prerogatives exercised by the people at large would not long exist except in name. The weakening or it's powers and the loss of dignity and responsibility which would necessarily re- suit would be the inevitable precursor of it's decline, speedily followed by the complete prostration of representative government.
 Impairs Efficiency of Whole
 Any constitutional provision which weakens or impairs the power and eff oiency of either of the three coordinate departments of government must heces- sarily weaken and impair the efficiency and harmonious action of the whole. Each acts as check upon the other, and if the power and vigor of any department be impaired or overthrown, 1t necessarily unduly increases the power of the others. thus destroying that harmonious system of cheeks and balances which is the dis
  e1nment. Wise and just legislation call not be the product of haste, passion or immature judgment. To overcome the evil effects of sudden and strong eX- citement and of precipitate measures sprnging from caprice, preJudlce, per sonal influence and selfish interests the representative system was established. That deliberation, investigation and judi cial consideration which is essential 70 the enactment of wise laws is secured by those provisions found in every con stitution which in mandatory terms re- uuires each bill to be submitted not alone to one deliberate body, but in turn to each of two, and to be consldereo pS each on three successive days.
 .'The division of the legislative depart ment into two separate and independent branches constitutes one of the most im- portant features of our system or gov ernment One is generally composed or men who by reason of their short terms and frequent elections, are always lfesh from the body of the people and are readily responsive to every pressure of public opinion. The period of their dele gated authority is too brief for their Independent judgment to overcome their susceptibility to the popular Will Ihe members of the other body, selected py a larger constituency, representative or more varied interests and further re- moved by their longer terms from the uassions or follies of the hour, may justly be expected to exercise with courage ih- dependence and judgment corrective ln- fiuence upon legislation born Of derna- gogical prejudice, inspired by unwlse or visionary political theorists, or based uron some Utopian dream. The tendency cf the one is to impulsiye action, and Of the other to conservatism; and out or thls contest of opposing forces and this clash of conflicting thought illuminated by de- bate and informed by investigation comes | of necessity laws, into the constructor of which there enters not only the Will of the people but those elements or hou- eration. justice and wisdom, and that due regard for the rights of the minority which are inseparable from wise and sal