Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-03-12
Nv on the first Thursday of April

law on the first Thursday of April.
1870"
Mr.. FOLSOM: Mr.. President. when
the original amendment was offered.
the senator asked this question: lis
there any senator who does not trust
the people of Name" and in reply
l will say that am sure that there
is not senator who does not dare
to trust to the people of Maine the
determination of any question when
occasion arises. But l am equally pos
tive that there is no member OF this
Senate who does cot dare to vote IN
acc ordnance with the dictates OF rea-
son. common sense and justice.
The initiative and referendum.
breathing the spirit OF true democra-
cy, having an essential place in our
fundamental law. is likely to become
discredited. When no argument pre-
walls. legislators are becoming prone
to invoke the referendum. Does a
legislator find that some favorite act
is about to die by violent death he
calls for referendum; or il he finds
that some measure to which he is IN
aterably opposed is likely to obtain
a passage he seeks to impede its pro-
gress by q referendum. In other
words. Legislators are liable to be-
come addicted to the habit of a ref
northumberland SO to speak
l am firmly convinced, and l .eei
quite sure that the opponents of this
measure know, that no referendum is
applicable to this act. for constitu-
tional easons. Yet those opponents
are not satisfied to abide by the ma
jority vote of the 18th Legislature.
Senate Amendment A, like Its
amendment which is offered today, is
offered purely and simply for rea-
sons Of delay. The amendment was so
drawn that had it taken effect, it
would have taken effect by it's terms
on the first Wednesday Of October,
1920. But this was clearly in conflie,
with the constitution Of Maina.
which provides that an act which
has been submitted to the people and
ratified by them shall take effect in
80 days from tn date when the Gov
ernor issues his proclamation, which
is to be issued after the vote has
been canvassed.
Having found that this amendment
is in conflict with our constitution, we
are asked TO attach to this amend
mont another amendment. SO that
we may hnve special election in
September OF next year, and by that
amendment. II it passes, the State
will be subjected to the great ex
pense Of special election. when |
Fay-and I say 1t advisedly-that
there is no general demand for {.
referendum
The amendment now offered,
Amendment b to Amendment A.
rises another question. a question Of
constitutional law. and it is held by
a great many able lawyers that this
referendum, or any referendum, Is
in conflict with the CONSTITUTION q
the United States. I AM firmly con-
WINGED that that position is properly
taken. but l waive aside all consU.
tutiohal objections and ask this Sem
ate to consider this question entire
ly upon its merits.
l say that there ia no general de-
mand for referendum upon th..
question at this time. l do not know
what the experience Of other sena.
tors ras been during this session
but 1 have had So or 10, or so letters
from various people relative to this
act and among all those letters I
have received only two wherein the
writer expressed opposition to this
Continued on Page 6-Col, II