The Detroit times., 1911-04-19

LANSING, Mich, April 1S.-Initia-
tive, referendum and recall, are
destined not to go to vote OF the
people through the action of the leg.
islature OF 1911, but they have at
least had the favorable vote OF the
house OF representatives, and two Of
the measures, initiative on constitu-
tional amendments and initiative and
referendum on legislation were saved
oblivion in the senate committee OF
the whole.
! Motions by Senator Cartier TO
strike out all after the word "Resclv.
ed" were defeated, and both went
to third reading, but lacked the
necessary two-thirds' vote. Carriers
motion was successful In the case OF
the recall
Both initiative and referendum res
olution failed In the senate this morn
ing. OF the Wayne Senators Lee, Mil
Ter and Smell voted favorable and
Murtha and Scott against.
! The only speech was made by Sen
ator Mortarity this morning. He said
the people had not submitted the nee
essary 20 per cent OF petitions. ask.
Ing for submission OF the question
and the measures should not be al.
lowed TO pass.
! The debate on the propositions
showed clearly that public sentiment
/ toward the reform measures is grow.
f, ing and that another session Is apt to
see them presented to the people by
force OF the popular will.
! The tone OF fiippancy with which
| Cartier, after succeeding In killing
/ the recall, tried the same tactics on
the constitutional initiative, was re-
buked by Senator l.. Whitney Wat.
kins Of Manchester.
| This Is not a matter tn be laughed
out of the senate" he insisted. at
| Is thing that will come sooner or
later. The arguments used against Il
are the arguments against the pTl-
mary law. They are backed only 10y
professional politicians. The history
/ OF three sessions OF the legislature
shows the growing wave OF popular
demand In 1907, the propositions
we're laughed out OF the legislature.
and were not even reported out OF
the senate. In 1909, they were re-
ported out and killed. This year.
they have been passed by the house
by an overwhelming majority.
They should be treated with can
dor and dignity. Do the people elect
80 men to come here and laugh a.
their demands? II the people wan.
these things they should have them,
and they should have the right to say
whether they want them.
THE laughing part was when the
house passed them" said Cartier.
Senator Guy A. Miller here created
surprise by recommending the pas
sage of the resolution. His argument
was that of foe OF popular govern
ment who saw that IL was coming.
Il believe what Senator Watkins
says is partly true" he said III not
passed now, they will be passed in
1913, and approved by the people. IL
We pass them now, we can so out TO
the polls and beat them there. As
matter Of policy, | say, vote Tor
them here, and then go TO the polls
and work against them and have IT
settled once for all"
! Senator Lee spoke for the resolution
partly as a matter Of party pledge.
Never till | came here did | hear
ludI the pcOplc were loOliSu ahu hCCu-
ed TO be saved from themselves he
said. I'VE are not here TO vote our
own private opinions, but to vote as
cur constituents want"
Senator Charles White attacked the
resolution, asking how any senator
could vote for IL in the face OF his
constitutional oath OF Office to do his
duty and vote as his convictions told
him. He pointed TO the provision OF
I the present constitution. allowing
electors TO initiate amendments. sub
! ject to the veto Of the legislature.
who says the people demand it?'
he cried belligerently. Why have
they not come here with a petition OF
20 per cent. The resolution is subver-
sive OF representative government.
When has one single thing been de-
manded by the people OF the state
that they have not been given by the
legislature? The past 10 years have
been spent OF legislative growth. Cor
porate interests have been driven out
OF politics." he continued In golden
vision. Large business interests have
ceased TO lobby for the last two ses
sions." And no one laughed.
THE senator asks who wants It,"
replied Watkins. IL might cite him
the state grange, the state association
of Farmers clubs, the New Era asso-
citation, the State League for Direct
Legislation, and the governor OF Mich
igan. WHO don't want It."
"The proposition takes away the
safeguard for purity for signing in the
nolls" nrotested Senator Collins al