The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-07-18
How The People Think Bridgeport Is Closer To San Francisco Than IL
 Was To Boston 200 Years Ago

The opposition to initiative and referendum for state appears to be largely abandoned The oppon ents of this extension of democracy have the nevl able and have ceased most of their effort to sweep back the tide.
 objection that it is unworkable They admit it works in England, they say that England compact and easier to reach with common thought
 There is in the claim, butt it is doubtful if this class of objectors realize the solidarity of the Amer ideas disseminated from end of the nation to the other
 necticnt from Philadelphia hundred years ago.
 The thoughts, inventions manners, morals and GUS toms of California known quickly in Bridgeport than those of Bridgeport could have been known in Bos ton, in 17s9. 4 BFdgepgrt5 with certain allowances of minor character
 There will be graphophones, player pianos silent F- anos washing machines, automobiles and advertised ar ces of thousand kinds sold n stores bearing the names the door. 3 afford communication within and without. The newspapers print the news of major matters and the thought of this or that man is laid simultaneously at the doors of citizens in both communities.
 No question likely to besubmtted but would be heard in argument in part of the land in discussion conducted with astonishing speed and facility.
 TheAegisatiye mind of the American people does act with unity between parts, which strongly proof of ts capacity for thinking in the same channels about the same things.
 every state So does the demand for regulation of public services, with theirsultinate ownership
 Some states have these laws, and have not The difference svery little in the thought of the people as state and another and much in the char
 
 In California methods have been installed, recently which permit the will of the people to be swiftly and eff fecvely expressed but Connecticut still the hands of the rotten borough system as to the small towns and o less old fashioned and incompetent political chimes to the large places is delayed in keeping pace
 .Connecticut is who desires to walk with other but is prevented by temporary lameness.
 The national initiative and referendum is practical but probably not necessary representative body is an ideal law making institution if it is actually representa- tive and responsive to the public will
 congress returned from initiative and referendum states will be representative
 A congress is than returned from such states will be almost representative
 One member in representative body actually at tempting to do the will of the people is more powerful than four attempting to do the opposite.
 For this states which fail to provide preferen tal presidential will find themselves of less weight in the councils of states
 Candidates who have the direct endorsement of the voters in primary will be inneasuraby stronger than those who with only the O. K of political conve ton.
 At the most the national initiative referendum would be check upon the tendencies of the national leg islature to be unrepresentative.
 These powers in the people will ultimately, and soon make all representative bodies representative give to their membership permanancy and to them respect which now is, and long has been, lacking