The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-12-04
BIG MOVEMENT
FOR THE RECALL
Also For Easier Way To Amend Consti-
tution--Popular Government
League Forming.

Washington, Dec. 4.--The movement
for easier amendment of the constitu-
ton. and likewise the movement for the
initiative, referendum, and recall, will
be heard from in the elections of 1914
according to present political symptoms.
Attention TO this has been directed by
the fact that conference will be held
here Dee. G to form a popular govern
ment league. In connection with this
league it develops that every candidate
upon every party platform, both in the
primary and general elections for Con-
gress next year, will be questioned be-
fore election and asked to take his stand
before the voters for or against the
amendment. He win be similarly qnes-
toned as to how he stands on the in
itiative, referendum and recall His po-
sition, or lack of position, will be pub
lished before the elections. The amend
ment will be pressed in the regular SEES
sion of Congress, and the attitude of
the present senators and House members
who win be in the running will be sound
ed out.
Not only win this movement to COM
init candidates to easier amendment OF
measures be carried on in this general
fashion and war waged on candidates
who are opposed to the reforms in ques-
ton, but the fights in several states will
become extremely animated.
Ohio is the seat of trouble just now
because it is proposed in the next meet
ing Of the Legislature to pass a law
which will weaken the initiative and
referendum by prohibiting initiative and
referendum petitions. Governor Cox has
taken a stand for the proposed law and
thus has incurred a lot of opposition.
Congressman Robert Crosser of Cleye-
land is fighting the legislation. He was
chairman of the initiative and referen-
dunn committee in the constitutional con-
vention last year and is exceptionally
well informed. Organized labor, it is
said, will fight Governor Cox if he in
sists on amending the law in the way
proposed.
Oregon has a contest almost like the
one in Ohio. Former Senator Jonathan
Bourne is back of plan to amend the
Oregon law about the same way in which
it is proposed to amend the Ohio law.
Senator Lane viii oppose this in the
meeting here Dec. g. as calculated to
weaken the initiative and referendum.
Senator Chamberlain, who will be in the
field against Bourne for the Senate, is
also opposed to the amendment.
In the state of Washington, Congress
man Falconer, who is thought to be
candidate for senator, will denounce the
law passed by the last Washington leg
islature and signed by Governor Lister,
Democrat Faleoner holds the law hos
tile to popular government.
In Florida John S. C. Stockton, promi-
nent Progressive Democrat and support
er of the initiative and referendum, will
run on the popular government issue and
try to GUST Senator Fletcher.
In Idaho there is much Indignation.
The people voted for the initiative and
referendum by 1868 to l3,490, but the
legislature ignored the popular mandate.
John S. Nugent, Progressive Democrat,
will make campaign on this issue, He
will run against Senator James II.
Brady.
In Illinois the initiative and referen-
dunn movement will be forced to the
front by Carl Vrooman. n Progressive
Democrat. He viii make a campaign
for the Senate on this issue and is ex-
pected to have strong support.