Grand Forks herald., 1918-08-30
UP TO THEcOURT,

UP TO THE COURT,
The Fargo Courier News is very much annoyed be-
supreme court of the state asked
whether or not the list of constitutional
ments for which the petitions have filed with
secretary Of state lawfully the people
for their approval rejection at approaching
eecuon This appeal to the court is gather from the
Fargo papers somewhat comment an attack
democracy invasion right of the people
vote when aSd how they please There occasion
any excitement The suit being brought in ample time
and the decision will doubtless long enough
before the election to any confusion
preparing or marking ballots the approve
OF the proposed procedure And If the under which
is proposed to really Illegal much
ter to ascertain that fact before than after
In order avoid is we'll to keep Certain
facts concerning election methods clearly in our
minds.
Subject to certain restrictions in the con-
sttution of the United people of North Dakota
have the unq4esoned right in legislative matters to do
pretty much they please In order safeguard
rights Of all individuals order in the con-
duct of their business the years ago adopt
ed constitution which they should be the
preme law of the constitution among
things provided for the creation state legislature
and defined its duties fixed limitations prov
ed also, that the constitution might amended
certain prescribed
Because of those provisions the laws Of the
state to be made by the legislature They could
made in no other until the people, acting
accordance with the constitution, amended that
in such to provide for laws
under regulations directly by the people, The
amendment is known the referendum amendment and
under it the people. acting first by petition then by
by the legislature enact laws their initiative
provided themselves with other
provisions of the constitution.
But the people, in ordersto things must be
governed by certain rules They in mass
convention by enact valid laws They
must in all particulars follow the regulations they
themselves hay made which have become par. Of
the fundamental law of the
The people also adopted another constitutional
amendment providing for the initiation Of
ments by popular petition. years ago attempt
made to submit to the people under initiative
provision another amendment the effect
have been to remove the capital Of the
marck to New Rockford. Objection made to this on
the ground that its submission not in accordance
with the recently adopted constitutional provision The
supreme court which by people for the
express purpose deciding questions heard the
arguments decided was that the
initiative amendment did not of itself provide
mission of questions to vote Of the people, merely
conferred legislature authority make such pro-
visions Therefore the Initiative amendment not being
executing proceedings attempted were void
until legislature provided the necessary rnachn
cry. tl42
That Is where the matter stands today. sessions
Of the Legislature have been held in the meantime
the assembly act There
FORE the the only body competent to pass
subject initiative actual opera
ton.
The fistful Of amendments which it is proposed to
submit presented under this which the supreme
court declared to in its for unworkable
secretary Of state asked the attorney what
should do about It, The attorney general passed the
back the of state The secretary of
knew the question would go to the anyway
ignored the courts decision proceeded
II there had been The matter Is again to be
placed before the court and that body have
opportunity affirm the former decision
follows former course the proposed amendments
viii not be voted fall latter they will be-
nrysr 1Ya1n<n 4 CnvyayN r1ayov -