The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1920-08-26

IN/ league came INTO existence
North Dakota because the state, legis
! lature repeatedly ignored the demand
of the farmers for grain grading
law and system Of state CONTROLLED
grain elevators and terminals. In 9th
er words, the farmers of North Da
kota had well defined, Legitimate
grievance against the state govern
| ment.
From North Dakota the nonpartisar
league has come to the state of Wash
ington. What for? Just what is the
bill of particulars against the Wash
ington legislature. What is it that the
farmers have repeatedly asked fol
and been turned down; wherein has
the state legislature been reactionary
and unresponsive to the Just and lie.
gitimate demands of the people? Let's
put our state legislature on the carpet
Analysing the legislative record fol
the last 20 years we find that scores
of constructive, progressive laws have
been passed and that no other state ir
the union through Legislative enact
ment, has done so much in humanitar-
ian, social improvement, and civic bet
terment. The legislature has consis-
tently met the needs of the people in
putting commendable enactments on
the statute books and has, in fact
led the way in safeguarding and pro-
noting the best interests Of all the
people.
How responsive to the wishes Of the
electorate the legislatures have been
is strikingly demonstrated by a con-
sideration of how little the people have
found it necessary to legislate for
themselves through the initiative.
Four sessions of the legislature have
been held since the initiative and ref
erendum became effective and scores
Of beneficial laws have been passed.
During that time "a initiative meas
ures were filed, but petitions were re-
corded for only ten Of these measures,
thereby submitting them to popular
vote. Of these ten the voters passed
only, two.
Which can mean nothing else than
that the law-making bodies have kept
pace with the wishes Of their consti-
tuency so well that he electorate, ex-
ercising their sovereign right as part
of the legislative branch of our state
government have seen fit to supple
ment the work of the legislatures by
the passage of only two laws, and one
of these was subsequently declared
by the supreme court
of the United States.
Neither have the legislatures Of
1913, 1915, 1917 and 1919 erred in the
other direction of passing laws the
people did not want. More than 300
pills became law.as the result of these
essions, of which the people, by means
# the referendum, vetoed only eight.
Is there anything in this record to
Justify the cry that the old gang of
dictionaries have rawhided the leg
slatures and denied the people their
ust rights?
Following is a partial list Of the
avs which have been enacted in this
tate since 1901. What other state can
how a better record of legislation
Intended to guarantee the rights, pro-
ect the property, promote the well
are and administer to the needs of
II the people?
1901 Session
Creation of bureau of labor.
Act granting the power to incorpor-
ted cities and towns to construct,
nd maintain water works, sewerage
ystems and works for lighting, fuel
nd power purposes and cable, cleo
ric and other railways
1903
Eight hour day on public works.
Act defining and Furnishing. criminal
narchy.
1906
Act creating Juvenile courts.
Law creating railroad commission.
Act creating tax commission.
Law providing for the protection
{ employees of factories and mills.
1907
Direct primary law.
Act adopting Torrens system, i. e., |
ne registration Of land titles. |
Act regulating the employment of ,
hild labor.
Act creating state reformatory.
Measure for the protection of for
SITS, creating the office of fire war
en-.
Act relating to the ventilation and
afety of coal mines.
1909 ]