The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-08-27
Member of Audit Bureau of
Circulation
Voters Should Be on Guard

Success of certain initiated meas
ures at the June primaries has given
their advocates courage to propose
more laws, most of which are of
doubtful value to the taxpayers. In
days like these, when the pressure of
economic conditions is so evident,
voters do not act as they would in
normal times. 1t is unfortunate that
a certain clique has seized upon this
situation to force legislation at the
ballot box which can be more care
fully and more safely handled in the
legislative halls.
The initiative and referendum pro-
visions of North Dakota's statutes
were never intended to supplant leg
islative action. 1t was the intention
of the lawmakers and the people of
this state, when such instruments Of
law were adopted, to use them rarely
and most guardedly. Indiscriminate
use of the initiative and referendum
may result not in freedom of action
but tyranny imposed by an active and
presumptuous minority.
Most that is proposed under the
guise of tax reduction is nothing of
the kind. Voters must be on their
guard now that the new weapon has
been adopted to force laws upon the
statute books that could find place
there in no other way.
There are times, probably, when
recourse to the initiative and refer
endum as club or a curb may be
justifiable. Such instances are ex-
tremely rare and should actuate the
electorate only after most careful
consideration.
1t is not so long before North Da-
kotanS will be asked to vote upon
some Is initiated measures. None of
them involves any matter of great
import to the voters nor raises an
issue that cannot be handled better
at session of the legislature.
Bismarck paid out some $4,000 re-
Gently to oppose a movement to move
the capital from this city. This only
represents portion OF what that
contest cost the electorate of this
state. Examination of election ex-
penses will disclose that initiative
ballots are costly affairs.
Representatives are elected and
under oath to come to Bismarck
every two years to study and delib-
crate on matters involving the peace.
health and safety of this state. Law
making can best be left to them
rather than to. private cliques with
out mandate from anyone.
This fall election is good time
for the voters of the state to smite
hip and thigh those active in load
ing down the ballot with various
kinds of nondescript laws. It is a
dangerous trend in this state and in
the haste of misdirected action some
law will be enacted that may curse
its makers. Such happened in June.
The farmers are seeking now to undo
the evil effects of law outlawing
crop mortgages. Seeking to control
the machinery of credits in this man.
ner is most foolish and ill-advised.
Despite the fact that the farmers
protected the credit of the state in
June and defeated the vicious mora
forum act, the same kind Of legisla-
ton in modified form makes it ap-
pearance again. Efforts to defeat
this type of legislation will have to
be redoubled. Its adoption would be a
blot upon the good reputation of this
state. Few entitled to credit extern
sions fail to get them and even if
this is not true in all instances,
adoption Of moratorium is no way
to correct the situation. It will only
aggravate the matter and make the
lot Of the borrower doubly hard.
Signing Of petitions should be dis
couraged tn the future. That racket
has been overworked in this state.
Now is no time for the voters of the
state to pull any more chestnuts out
Of the fire for few interested per-
sons with axes to grind. Let your
legislature stand guard between you
and self-interested persons. II their
propositions have merit they can get
q hearing before legislative commit
tees. Remember, when q law is passed
by the ballot route, there is no veto
power to check its harmful effects.
Voters must wait nearly two years to
undo any evil Of measures drawn
huFriedly and Of no merit.
nav = the time to register an EN-
phatte NO to each and every measure