The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-13
ON e ais Denunciation
Is A nsw cred by
Woodrow Wilson.
LATTER DEFENDS
THESE MEASURES
Southern Executive Makes We,
hement Address and Abruptly
Leaves Hall-Later He Re
turns, but Takes No Fur
Their Part in Discussion.
Harmon Greets Wilson.

Spring Lake, N. j., September "a
Governor Woodrow Wilson, OF New
Jersey, and Governor Emmett O'NeaI,
OF Alabama. measured swords over
the Initiative and referendum, before
the conference OF Governors this az
ternoon. Governor Wilson, as cham
pion of the measures, replied to Gov
ernor O'Neal, who had previously de-
nounced them as IAN insidious pop
ular vagary,' and the Southern execu-
tive was on his feet in moment with
an impassioned defense of his posi-
ton.
Governor oNeal spoke vehemently
for ten minutes, and without word
walked to a piazza facing the ocean.
What's the use of my going back
in there?" he asked a reporter. I
have already spoken twice. and am
limited to two speeches on any one
topic"
lie did not re-enter the convention
hall for fifteen minutes and took no
further part in the discussion.
When the conference ended, how;
ever, Governor Wilson grasped Cover
nor o'Neal by the hand and remarked
that he did not wish to be misunder-
stood. Governor o'Neal later said that
he had stepped to the piazza to meet
Mrs. O'Neal who he had heard was
there.
No MincinE of Words.
There was no mincing of words in
the Alabaman's denunciation of the
initiative. referendum and recall.
There Is movement which seems
to be gathering strength in certain
sections of the country" he said, that
strengthen executive authority. and
that is the system OF Initiative, REFER
endum and recall The Governor has
no power to veto or amend law int
ttated by the people and adopted by
referendum. If law is in violat ion OF
the Constitution, invades vested rights
or destroys individual liberty, the only
remedy can be found III the courts
and where the system of recall of
judges prevails. overthrowlng. as 1t
does. the independence % the judiciary,
the courts would degenerate into
tribunals organized chiefly to register
popular Judgment on all legal ques-
tons"
1t was pleasing to know. he added,
that this "nsidious popular vagary"
Will meet with the almost unanimous
opposition of the American bar.
Governor Wilson did not reply un.
til several Western Governors had
spoken.
1T seems to me-" he said, that on
the question of the initiative and ref
erendum II is necessary that we car
ry the analysts little further than
it has been carried a very important
think. fundamentally important
thing. is the source of the law. Soma
of the laws that we have are bad laws.
and they are bad for the reason tAat
there is suspicion as to their source.
The people of the United States want
their Governors to be leaders in mat
Of lao sla
serious suspicion as to the source of
legislation, and they have a serious
distrust of their Legislatures.
At Odds to Method.
What | would urge. as against tho
views of G. vernon O'Neil, is that there
is nothing inconsistent between the
strengthening of the powers of the
the people He spoke of the caprice
of the majority I have known OF in
stances OF the caprice OF the mob" he
said, but | have never known of any
instance where the vote of the popu-
lace was spoken of as caprice.
don't believe there is any dlstrust of
the fundamental principles OF Democ
racy. believe we are all Democrats
II we use small d. l believe that
Governor O'Neal feels as Governor Nc
Govern feels. and that we are mere.
ly at odds as to the beat method of
giving expression with reference to
that great public opinion upon which
all depends"
AS Governor Wilson sat down. Gov
ernor O'Neal sprang to his feet and
proclaimed the reiteration of his be-
lief
Il would rather stand with Madison
and Hamilton" he concluded after
outlining what he believed the menace
OF the measures. than to stand with
some modern prophets. and some of
our Western statesmen"
The discussion following Governor
O'Neal's address consumed the entire
afternoon session.
Among the speakers was Governor
Kitchin. OF North Carolina.
Tonight the Governors and their
wives were guests OF Governor and
Mrs. Woodrow Wilson at the State
cottage at Seagirt
Welcomed by Wilson.
Governor Wilson called the third
annual Conference of Governors to
Nineteen Governors took their seats
within the convention hall Governor
Francis r. McGovern. OF Wisconsin,
was elected temporary chairman. In
welcoming the delegates. Governor
Wilson said:
You are indeed most welcome. We
are glad that New Jersey has been
chosen as the pface for assembling thu
second independent Conference OF
Governors.
There is no installing tho signs of
the times. The people OF these Unired