Omaha daily bee., 1911-01-06

MNHINLoNA - AIWLu IN uNIllAllIeA ANHA raaAAH1-
man:
There should b. system Of registration I
provided 80 that it would b. impossible for I
a democrat 20 vote for a republican candi- T
date. or Tor q republican 90 vote Tor 4
democratic candidate for nomination Ct q /
primary election. No republican shouid
desire 70 be nominated BY democratic
votes. and no democrat should depend
upon renubi can votes for his nomination
II the matter OF selecting candidates is
left strictly to the party which the cand.-
Gate represents the best man IN each
PARTY win usually nc nominated. and every
candidates nomination will stand upon his
merits and hts party's platform and come
before the people - the choice Of the
organization with which he affiliates THIS
apphes 10 al parties. and I only refer 10
the democratic and republican parties be
cause they are the two leading parties in
the state and nation.
Initiative and Referendum.
Elaborate consideration il given the ques-
ton Of initiative and referendum. Expert
ence Of states in which the proposed prac-
ice is in vogue Is referred to. and express
sions from the officers Of those states are
quoted. Details Of the probable form the
law should take are given lengthy con-
sideratien. and the following recommenda-
tons are made:
i would recommend that the amend
ment TO be adopted should require a ped
AAA "a AiNlE LAaM ~ per cent OF Allt tAEN-
torate OF a state to initiate legislation
and not less than 8 per cent Of the same
vote to invoke the referendum. This
represents the consensus Of opinion OF the
authorities which / have gathered from
every state that now has the law in opera
ton and from those who are warm sdvo-
Gates Of the idea
The amendment should provide that
only q limited number Of measures should
be submitted at any one election II salts
factory rule for preference can be de-
termined
election al which a constitutional amend
msnt is submitted should be required 10 be
cast in its favor to secure its adoption.
That az least Is per cent Of all the votes
cast at ANY election be required 20 be cast
upon a statutory measure submitted 20 the
people, under the initiative. before 1t shall
be declared carried.
The measure TO be voted upon
should be printed upon the same
ballot, as that upon which the candidates
for office appear and should be described
by suitable ballot title to be drawn under
the direction OF the attorney general. re-
serving TO the petitioners the right 20
appeal TO the supreme court II dissatisfied
with the descriptive title furnished by the
7
10 the court a ballot title satisfactory TO
the propoAents Of the law and the court
thersupon 20 promptly decide as to which
! title win best inform the voters as 20 the
meaning and object of the proposed law.
Information as to the measure TO be
submitted. under the initiative and refer
endum. should be furnished TO the voters
by advertisement in the newspapers OF the
state as now provided by law for consti-
tutional amendments. and also by printed
arguments. pro and con. offered by those
| for or against any such Measure. the same
/ to be printed BY the state and distributed
to the voters for their information and
guidance. would strike the party ring
from the present ballot form as provided
/ by statute. but in any event the proposed
amendment should expressly provide that
votes shall not be counted either for or
against any amendment or statute unless
I the voter shall indicate his viii by mark
ing in the proper square upon the special
ballot opposite the measure submitted.
Based on Experiences.
Il have gone to considerable length to
4 give you my views upon the primary ques-
ton and the initiative and referendum. be-
cause these are matters dealing directly
with the fundamentals Of government
approved the present primary law against
my better Judgment. because 1 have-a we'll
i grounded objection TO the exercise Of the
veto power by the executive except In grave
eases and had not expressed my views
] fully upon that matter in my message 70
the former legislature. and. therefore, i
! hesitated 20 disapprOve of a bin that had
passed both houses by a considerable ma
jority and upon which had not plainly
stated my views In a constitutional manner.
The opinions that ! have expressed to you
IN this message are bound primarily upon
the iron logic OF experience and the knOwl-
edge that I have gained in the office that
the state has hOnored me with, and after
dnigent and earnest study and consultation
with the executives Of many other states
OF the union. and others in authority whose
judgment believe valuable because OF
the opportunities they have had to gain
knowledge at first hand. I have every con-
fdenee that you VIII use, The utmost care
and confederation and exercise your best
Judgment IN these questions as well as
every other matter that ahan come before
you pertaining TO the ,Welfars Of the state
Il wish 70 express 10 you. and TO the
people Of the state my appreciation OF the
great honor done me--in entrusting to ny
care the high office which L am about q
leave and TO say TO you, gentlemen OF tbs
legislature OF Nebraska. that L hope thai
your duties viii prove q pleasant task t.
, you personally. and that the session ma,
result in satisfaction and honor 10 tbs
; members here assembled and to the welfar,
OF the people Of the state. Respectfully sub
mitted.
ASHTON C. sHALLENBERGER-"
German Shin 0wnarS