The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1912-09-15
CANDIDATES TELL
OF EXTRAVAGANZA
OF GOV DENEEN
Concluded from Second Page.)

Concluded from Second Page.)
only way they can redeem this state
from the graft, jackpotism and cor
ruption that has disgraced 1t Ia to
aive him four years more tenure OF
Office. IT he is so inefficient, unin-
telligent, or SO lacking in capacity
as TO put stop to it during the last
eight years, what hope can VIC enter
tain that he will present any greater
efficiency or earnestness during the
four years to come? What hope can
we entertain that If he and his party
have stood in defiance OF the public
will in reference to the initiative
and referendum for eight years thai
he Will not pursue the same policy
during the next four years? A few
words upon this great measure OF re-
form 1t was first adopted in Swift
zeriand, over so years ago; has since
beel adopted by North Dakota, Ore
gon, Utah, Missouri, Maine, Cali
t0rnia and other great and intelli-
gent states Of the United States. In
no place where it has been put in
fGrco has 1t failed to accomplish what
is claimed for il, to-wit: the aboli-
tion of graft and corruption in legis-
latiye life In no place has there
been a demand fer its repeal. A few
years ago, if yCu discussed the in
ltiative and referendum, some of my
hearers might have Thought it was
problem in astronomy or a new
breakfast food. 1t Is so simple that
e.en She simplest mind can grasp ii
In few minutes. The referendum
is simply provision under which
FIVE per cent. Of the people can file
protest with the secretary of state
against the passage of vicious laws
within thirty days after the passage
OF the law. If five per cent. of the
people file this protest that law cam
not take effect Antil six months af-
forwards, when it is submitted IN
popular approval or disapproval.
AMPLE time Is given to the press,
magazine writers and to the public
generally to examine and discuss the
merits or dement's, the advantages
or disadvantages of the law protested
against, and at the end of that six
months any intelligent citizen can
vote intelligibly thereon II 1t be a |
vicious law, it will be voted down by
the people; if a good law 1t will be |
approved by the people If the refer
endum is enforced it wonld not
change in the east the legislative
government. It has been charged
by some Of the enemies of this re- |
form that it would do away with rep
rescntatiye government, The charge |
is wholly false. 1t will make no |
change in the present character of |
the legislative machinery except |
that II gives 4 check to bad laws.
There viii he legislatures, congresses
AMI city councils just as now. Pres |
idents, governors and mayors Just as
now. The whole law-making ma
chincry of the state will go on Just as !
now, but if bad laws be passed they
can be checked by the people. If |
good laws be not passed, they can
be forced by the people. The initia- |
tive and referendum simply acts az |
does the governor on stationary en-
ginc The object of that governor is
to regulate the speed of the station |
AIRY engine. IT prevents 1t from 60
ing to fast or too slow. The in
itative and referendum will be the
governor over the legislative ma
chinery of the state it will prevent
the legislature from going too fast in
the passage Of vicious laws and too
slow in the refusal to pass good laws.
II | am elected Governor there will
be two governors at Springfield, the |
man sitting in the governors chair |
and the initiatives and referendum
acting as the governor over the leC.
islative achLnery, and the man will |
see that the automatic governor Is
hVpt "Sh oliNu uutlhS Ihe "Hoie OF
that four years, The initiative Is a |
simple provision which enables eight |
per cent, of the people, when the |
legislature refuses to pass laws, to |
formulate those laws themselves and |
submit them to the legislature for
their approval, II the legislature |
approves, that is the end If they re-
fuse to pass the laws, then the laws, I