The Sentinel=record., 1912-06-05
POINT THE DANGER.

One learned lawyer before the meeting of the Arkansas Bar associa- tion presented a paper in which he expounded the great danger that lies with the initiative and referendum, as he saw it, and the anarchistic trend of affairs that would result
 Even before this we had read edi- torials in the Gazette which in a manner appealed to the supreme court to save the people of Arkan- sas from anarchy through the intia- tive and referendum.
 Those who see anarchy ahead in a government close to the people have better eyes than the people
 It is true that the initiative and referendum gives legislation to the people direct, but from the history of legislative affairs during the past 20 years, why not try the change
 The "bill of rights under which our liberties are guaranteed, is con sidered anarchy itself by some, yet we manage to get along under it's provisions without disaster.
 The people in small communities make laws for themselves, they elect mayors and other officers. and they have a direct government that usual ay is progressive, srrviceapie. and honest-apd if it is not satisfactory they work out changes and make it so.
 The people of Arkansas are not an- archists, neither have they any of the blood of anarchists in their make up. They are thinking people. they love justice and equity, -nd they prize liberty And they are endur- ing.
 Some few years ago the people aroused themselves for a che, per passenger rate in the state. They believed that public service corpor ationa would have sufficient profits on cents per mile passenger rates, instead of cents per m:ie Sent ment forced the passage of cent rate law The railroads resisted tho measure and endeavored to show 1t meant bankruptcy. and that even if not this extreme, it meant no further Improvements in railroad work,
 The law is not enforced, and the people did not tear ua the tracks or pull the smokestacks from the en zines. Were they anarchists?
 hundred similar cases could be cited where the people as mass believe one way, but they don't go crazy over their beliefs There are 75 counties in the state, and E of these favor the sale of liquors, while 62 of them are for prohibition For many years an overwhelming majority in the state have favored statewide prohibition. but that majority doesn't get results neither do they set fire to bar rooms
 Where is the anarchy of the peo- pie in Arkansas? Aside from the imaginative ingenuity of the editor of the Arkansas Gazette, and the trem- bling fear of some big corporation lawyers. We can see no signs of dis aster 10 result from legislative affairs direct with the people.
 The initiative and referendum may have its good points and it's bad points. just as other forms of gov ernment. The people of Arkansas will try to follow it's good features, and keep aloof from It's dangers. Some mistakes may be made by the people under it's provisions, but the people of Arkansas are just as quick 10 discern error as are big editors and corporation counsel, and they probably will be able to work out their own destinies under the initiative and referendum. just as they have sfrived to do under a legislative form direct. where influences were center ed more powerful than they could eounteract. to deprive them of their