The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-03-18
OUTLOOK BRIGHT
FOR REFORMS
Gov. Osborn Talks To Republican
Editors in Convention-Knox Dis
cusses Initiative and Recall.

LANSING. Mich, March Fifty
members OF the Michigan Republican
Editorial association are attending the
convention here today.
Although suffering from a severe
cold, Gov. Osborn appeared at The
meeting this morning ana discoursed
on the encouragement and discourage
ments In the way OF securing needed
reforms In the public life OF Mlchi.
gan. Although he admitted that he
had encountered some opposition
since he first stepped Into the guber.
material chair, he emphatically de
clared that the prospect for reforms
is bright
We will live just as long II the
present legislature fails TO pass any
laws. hope that the workingmen's
compensation act will be passed and
that other needed reforms will be
brought about. Some times the only
way that an executive can bring about
legislation, is TO bring out the big
stick. | have been country newspa-
per editor myself and feel that the
country newspaper man is the re
Rector OF conditions In his commun-
ity. said Gov Osborn.
That Republican newspaper has a
perfect right TO accept political ad.
vertising from candidates OF an oppo-
site political party, was the conten-
| ton OF j. y. Mccall, OF the Ithaca
Herald. He claims that any kind OF
political advertising is legitimate and
that the publisher OF Republican
newspaper should not turn down a
source OF revenue because the adver-
! Using is submitted by the member OF
an opposite party
! In his address, NJ. l.. Cook, OF the
I Hastings Banner president OF the as
ISOLATION, said that without dlscour
agement to the Independent press OF
the state. the Republican battles must
be fought out through the party press ,
that the Republican editors of the
state cannot expect 10 be hide-bound
in their policies, but must stand for
that which will work for the best in.
terests OF the state.
The address by W. +. KRox. OF the
500. on the initiative, referendum and
OF the editors being ir>fsvor of these
reforms.
Mr. Knox said.
The movement for direct c1egisla.
ton IL neither sporadic. nor
ephemeral II is a part OF a world
| wide movement which seeks TO re-
store all power OF government as
nearly as may be into the hands OF
| the people themselves. In the world
at large this vast movement finds
varying expression
by the process OF direct nomina-
tions the people, untammeled. choose
their own candidates Through the
Australian ballot the purity OF cleo
tons Is secured BY employment OF
the initiative popular will cannot be
defeated by .unfaithfu or mercenary
officials. Through the referendum
popular rights are protected against
nnwise laws or legislation 10 promote
selfish interests Finally the recall
eievates and makes responsive the
public service and provides insurance
against and remedy for dishonesty
In positions OF public trust.
TO prevent hasty In-advised legis-
lation prompted By passing whim or
popular passion. certain safeguards
should be employed 20 prevent the
abuse OF the initiative. A petition
bearing not less than ten per cent and
possibly as high as fifteen per cent OF
the qualified voters should be requir
ed 10 secure the submission Of a law
popularity initiated. Also a period oil
four 10 six months should intervene
between the fling OF the petition anl
its submission 10 popular vote Such
a percentage of petitioners would pre-.
vent small but active bodies OF propa-
gaudists employing the initiative to
promote schemes lacking vide popu