The Devils Lake world and inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1915-1920, 1919-05-14

The Referendum Election
On the 9th Of May the governor announced through the public press that he
70 provision in u state constitution that would authorize any governor to call
a election m law or set II laws that he might see 1T It any time without
referendum petitions filed with the secretary Of state at that time . the
governor was apparently a little premature with his announcement Of the
referendum election date Referendum petitions containing 5000 signatures
that have been circulated by the Independent Voters Association. we're filed
with the Secretary Of State May 18th. These petitions, Is well Is the initiated
petitions that we're filed N April 1t asked that the election be held On July
9Th The purpose II asking for theN1ecdon o n this date was to give the people
all time possible under the new constitutional amendment to discuss the laws
In question. Also SO that the initiated laws might be included in the same
slechon which could be done without a single pennys additional cost.
The governor is quoted in connection With announcement Of June 18th as|
che referendum election date a saying: IF I permitted this unfair initiative
chem al the same election two mill and elevator bills and two home building
bills. For instance, the people might, not understanding the proposition, vote
for both the legislatures and the L v. A. mill and elevator bill" II he is
correctly quoted in this, he comes very heal being a deliberate falsiner when
he says that the people might vote for both the legislatures ml and elevator
bl and the L v. A. mill and elevator bill.
At the Initiative and referendum election which is proposed by the indie
against the initiated mill and elevator bill. # a majority Of those voting on
che proposition vote against thu initiated mill and elevator law, the mill and
~ote for tn l. '. A. mill and elevator bill it becomes law in place Of the law
- n the ballot The voters would only have to decide whether they preferred
he initiated bill to the ooe that was enacted by the legislature. II So they
would vote for the Initiated bill; If not, they would vote against it. That Is
simple enough, is it no., and fair IS anything can be7
The initiative petitions in this cos provide the only means by which the
measure. 1t is a referendum by process of initiation and If the governor
ignores the initiative petitions signed by o than 10000 voters, he might as
well say that he is opposed to giving the people q chance to votes at all. There
<n be only on mill ant elevator bill. one home builders bill and N rural
credit bill. They can vote for or against each om. They cannot vote for two
I'LL, on the sam subject when there is only n bill to vote y.
1t is very evident that the governor is afraid Of letting the people vote on
ne various laws in this way, fearing that they might voef for what they want
q political machine which when nee established, would be practically impossible
- change without revolution and bloodshed.
The governors announcement is consistent with his veto Of the terminal
elevator bill two years ago. Indeed, tt is consistent with the whole procedure
Of the gang that is trying to fasten its tentacles OF the people of this state for
the next generation o. more. They aren not satisfied to try out new notions a
step at the time as did the pioneers oft this state when gradually transforming
mi barren pran1esl into splendid IN "h1cn I'M 20 I'VE. Iney tried u q
few things at the time on a small scale and then went in a little deeper and
deeper N what proved to be good and discarded what proved to be bad.
The governor is trying to create a condition by which the people shall DO
compelled to make him monarch of all North Dakota. He is apparently not
approve the Industrial u%uss Ie commission sw and md other bml laws a that would rive him him more nor
power over the people schools, industries n resources of this state thar any
hing has anywhere in the world today: Possibly he is afraid of the nonparisan
election law which is also initiated.
More than 10000 people have signed the initiative petitions. The governor
certainly does nt intend o say that all Of these people are political trckHers
Just because they pehuoned for the initiation Of the laws in question. North
Dakota cal have a fair and square trial of state ownership and operation Of
mill and elevators, a home building law OF a rural credit law with a s1ooooooo
BOND issue etc finance it, without approving the industrial commission bill or the
State Bank bill. The State Bank "a not a part of the original league pro-
gram. That is something that has been picked up like a lot of other stuff for
the purpose of creating more political pap for the hungry ones that are now in
the state and others that may be imported with the 100000 immigration appro-
priation.
-Rural credit banks operated at cost" What the majority of the people had in
mind when this expression was used was something similar to the Ranasen
rural credit system % in operation in parts of Europe.
The governor is also quoted Is saying: "rhese bills. both initiated and
referred, would g o. the ballot by title only, and it would be impossible for all
or even a large per cent ofthe voters,in the short time that remains to become
familiar With the hxt Of both referred and initiated bills that they car cast an
intelligent ballot by voting in each case for me of the bills and against the
alike" '' ''' . ''A' - ''S "'D'' pp''' . "S D''0' 'eAs ;" nearly
In this connection it should be remembered tina: the constitution as 0
amended makes the following provision with reference to getting all initiated
ample onportunitv to become fam mil rnn tho m s sarna was .ms . tn" m snan Dc
submitted to the electors shall be published by the state as follows: The
aecreary of state shall cause to be printed and mailed to each electr a pub
Mcty pamphlet containing a copy of each measure together With its ballot
a1he to be submitted to any election. Any citizen, or the officers Of n organi.
Aadon, may submit to the secretary If state for publication in such pamphlet,
arguments concerning any measure therein, upon first subscribing their names
and addresses thereto and paying the fee therefor, which until otherwise fixed
by the legislature, shall be the u Of two hundred dollars pr page" The law
providing for the state publicity pamphlet recites that a copy of it shall be
sent to every voter in the State Of North Dakota at least 20 days before the
election, and that a copy Of arguments concerning any measure shall be ii the
hands of the secretary Of state not later than fifty days before the election.
Does thu governor mean to say that the voters Oft tn state will know more
about the laws that they are expected to live under, If copies If them are not
printed and placed in their hands with arguments pro and con. IS will be the
ease If the initiative and referendum election is held IS las been petuioned for1
Inc governor o denying a election o n ny law or laws or calling the election
about w weeks earlier than the date pedtoned for, deprves the voters of just
ma much more Of Al opportunity to become thoroughly informed. Is he afraid