The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1919-08-08
RFM SITUATION.

1t is remarkable to say the least
that a. minority of the people may
decree that the whole may not de-
termine an issue. In other words,
Montana is possessed of a law under
the, provisions of which Is per cent Of
it's voters in 26 counties may over
ride the will of the majority. Thus
it will be seen that one-fourteenth of
the voters may prevent consideration
by the people of a law passed by the
legislature and submitted for their
approval. What a travesty on the
rule of the people.
the minority is given the upper hand
one has only to refer to the recent pro-
ceedings at the state capitol, where
through the filing of certain petitions
with the secretary of state, an cleo
ton ordered by the legislature has
been abandoned.
In following out the mandate of the
people as a whole, the legislature at
its regular session, passed without di-
vision or opposition a bill submitting
to the voters the question as to wheth-
er or not the monstrous primary law
now on the statute books should be
amended in several important partic-
ulars. A special election was ordered
for September 2 to decide the ques-
ton. The Nonpartisan league and
s%ubservient followers took it upon
themselves to invoke the provisions of
the initiative and referendum law, and
circulated petitions in a number Of
the counties requesting that the cleo
ton be postponed until November,
1920. In this instance, as in all other
cases of securing signatures to petit
tions, no difficulty was experienced
in getting the requisite number. De-
spite the ease with which signatures
to any and all petitions may be OBJ
tanned because of the fact that none
care to deny so modest a request, it
has been openly charged that misrep-'
reservations were made in this par
ticular instance.
The activity of the Nonpartisan
league is easily traceable to the
fact that in no other manner can it
hope to obtain a hold in this state. 1t
is lacking the manhood to nominate
its own candidates, but endorses rep
resentatives of any and all parties,
expecting, of course, to announce re-
sponsibility where the candidates. have
been successful and in this manner,
exert an influence over their official
actions.
Little wonder then that the league
became active in the effort to prevent
the determination of the issue by the
people as a whole. But what a far
cial result it produces. We have the
spectacle of a certain percentage of
the voters in one-half the counties
preventing the whole people determin-
ing whether or not the primary laws
shall be amended-the imperative need
for which is conceded by every per-
son who has given the subject con-
sideration.
One of the chief cries raise dagainst
the election was that of expense, de-
spite the fact that 81 of the so coun-
ties in the state will hold elections on
the same date proposed for the pri-
mary election, to determine if bond
issues shall be authorized for road
work. Because of drouth conditions
and the general desire to furnish en-
ployment for unfortunate farmers, and
the desire for better roads, it is a
foregone conclusion that virtually all
counties will approve the bond issues.
Thus, the hypocrisy of the league
leaders is again demonstrated beyond
peradventure.
It strikes this paper that it is a
pretty weak cause when it's propon-
ents refuse to let the people determ-