Arizona republican., 1914-12-23
Tying Up the Legislature

It has been said that there are only seven orig inal jokes in the world. Some writers have claimed that there not many; that there are only three, and that the other four merely elaborations of the trio of originals. But it is agreed by the experts that no joke has been dis covered within the 5000 years.
 This is preliminary observation that the field of legislation is much narrower than we are apt imagine from the great mass of laws being constantly turned by the national state leg islatures The most of this, except certain kinds of special legislation. may be included in or an other of a number of small groups the members of each group being or less closely related to each other Except certain special legislation, about the only really legislation which may be en- acted is in the shape of appropriation bills. These in each session. Practically all other Iegis- laton consists of the repeal amendment of exist ing Legislation.
 Our constitutional amendment prohibiting the legislature from repeating amending laws which have been enacted by the initiative the refer endum, places restriction upon the legislature which will become more and more binding every two years that, unless the flood of popular egs- latcn is checked there will in time be nothing for the legislature but pass the appropraon bills and go home
 At the last election bills, two referred and five initiated, adopted by the people, and seven subjects thereby removed domain of the legislature Each of these bills, except the three fare bill less wide range which a legislature is apt inrude There hardly session in which legislature would not touch upon more of these subjects point. But it may not do It modify none of these laws in any It cannot pass separate bills which in any way ncon- sstent with any of these initiated referred laws They be repealed amended only by the peo- pie if they held by the to be invalid
 And this is only the beginning Two years hence. doubtless there will be other initiated and referred legislation, and in me the entire field will be covered with such legislation that there will be nothing that the legislature do except act upon the appropriation bills, and that small field may be seized upon in time to
 There is this situation food for consideration hy thoughtful people If popular legislation system be successful it must be guarded by those who competent guard it. It must be taken out of the hands of the comparatively few who would give force fanciful and ili- considered theories and it must be turned to prac- tcal It is said that the system makes every his own awmaker.' It should De so used as to make all voters lawmakers, so that the wisest and the practical should prevail.
 One objection to the popular system is that the bills to be placed before the people in crude form, and that. thereafter there is opportunity for their amendment. We have found by experience that that is true. There is but way by which this evil may be avoided and that is by legislative reference bureau composed of competent persons who duty it should be, without altering the general object of them. put the bills into proper shape and language that would conceal their purpose, so that the voters might readily understand the character and the probable effect of them.