The Nevada County picayune., 1920-04-01


 one question asked and that is, Does the Representative from that county favor the bill?" If so, it becomes a law without a dissenting vote.
 Ii there is to be any reform or relief along these lines, it is evident that it must begin at the ballot box; and in my judg- ment, we have reached that period in which the people of this State are going to speak out in no uncertain terms, in condemnation of this and other evils which 1 have and will dis cuss during this campaign.
 The Referendum
 In the general election of 1910, the people of this State by an overwhelming vote, adopted amendment number 10 to the constitution. This amendment reserves to the people the right and power to propose laws and amendments to the constitution; and also reserves to them the right and power to approve or reject at the polls, any Act of the Gen. eral Assembly. All Acts and proposed amendments to the constitution are subject to the referendum, except as to laws necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety. The people under the referendum have ninety days after the en- actment of any law in which to file a petition with the Secre- tary of State, asking to have such law referred to the people for their approval or rejection, unless the legislature tacks on to the bill what is called the emergency clause, in which event the bill goes into effect immediately. The purpose and effect of the emergency clause as used by the legislature, is to prevent and defeat the people from exercising their right to approve or rej ject any law passed by that body. By an examination of the Acts of the last legislature, you will find that the emergency clause was attached to nearly every act passed by that body, regardless of whether an emergency did or did not in fact exist. There is rarely ever an emergency calling for the immediate en- forcement of any law. The courts have held, however, that this is a question for the legis- lature to determine, and the courts will not inquire into it.
 Practically all the rights given to the people of this State by the referendum amendment to the constitution, have been abrogated and swept away by legislative will, assisted by judicial interpretation.
 A proposed amendment to the constitution will be voted on at the next general election which will, if adopted, in some measure remedy the evil to which I have referred. The number of that proposed amendment is 13, and 1 cer- tainly hope it will be adopted
 Roads and Highways
 My friends, the advent O. the Twentieth Century finds the people of this country mak- ing rapid strides along many lines of material progress and advancement, no part of which, in my judgment, is of greater | importance than the substan- tial improvement of our system of roads and highways. The chief executive of this State can be of no greater service to his people, than to encourage in every reasonable way the continuation of the spirit that has heretofore prompted the good roads movement in this State; and every enterprising citizen should be alert in build ing up and disseminating the good roads propaganda. But while 1 am good roads en- thusiast, I can not indorse the character of road legislation
 1. l.-1x;aln