The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-10-29
Member Of Audit Bureau Of
Circulation
(Official City, State and County
Newspaper
Foreign Representatives
SMALL, SPENCER, BREWER
uncorporated)
CHICAGO NEW YORK BOSTON
Feet on the Ground

When the people Of North Dakots
20 to the polls November 8 they will
be asked to vote not only on COM
plete slate of national and state Of
Ulcers but upon constitutional
amendment and eight measures
which have been placed upon the
ballot by petition.
These nine issues bring to Il the
number which have been presented
TO the people of North Dakota for
solution in this one year. Thirteen
additional proposals were kept off
the ballot by the opposition of a
majority of one of the states major
political groups after a candidate for
governor had urged that they be
placed on the ballot.
It is no insult to the intelligence
Of the people of the state to say that
this wholesale presentation Of ini-
lated measures is imposing an UNI
fair burden upon citizenship. Few
persons have the time to study these
suggestions. Some who have the
time to give to the study cannot find
satisfactory sources of unbiased in
formation.
There are indications, too, that q
system which was designed to give
the people the final voice in matters
of importance to them and to the
state is being perverted to serve the
ideas Of various interested minor
tiles. Initiated measures may-and
frequently do-contain jokers. The
hard-pressed voter. intent upon his
own business, easily may find that
he has voted for something not to
his own best interests.
This tendency to abuse what was
designed as a safeguard of the peo-
Piles interests is reflected in the
changing attitude of many who spon-
sored and supported the movement
which placed the initiative, referen-
DUN and recall clauses in the state
constitution. Some of these men
have come to the conclusion that
additional safeguards arc needed to
keep these instruments from being
used unwisely or against the inter-
ests of the people.
First of the issues offered this wear
is that to repeal the prohibition
clause of the state constitution. It
is the only constitutional amendment
offered and 1t is the only issue which
deserves a place upon the ballot. II
the intentions Of those who made
popular votes upon such things DOS
sible are followed. Prohibition has
been before the electorate long
enough for every voter to make up
his mind, either for or against it
Certainly 1t has had full and free
discussion over long period of
years. 1t has not been submitted
since June, 1928. and the question is
one upon which a final decision
should be had if one can be reached
Only two of the eight other meas
ures on the ballot have been before
the public for more than a very brief
period, and in the cases of those two
the electorate is being asked to re-
verse in November decisions which
were made in June.
These two issues are the declare.
ton Of a three-year moratorium and
the legalizing of crop mortgages. Nv
substantial majorities the people re-
jected in June the moratorium
scheme. then a five.year plan, and
approved the proposal to outlaw cron
mortgages. 1t is apparent that. I'm.
less the people express their distaste
Tor this sort Of thing we may have
% vote upon them at every election
Tor an indefinite period.
The other proposals are all new
md In each case their sponsors have
'ried 20 equip them with attractive
abels which will catch votes.
In these times, when tax reduction
8 not only necessary but vital, meas
ires are prone to have the tax-reduc-
ng tag attached to them. Analysis
'hows that In many instances these
measures are designed to benefit the
AK dodgers rather than the tax.
payers.
Also. in times like these, there al
rays Is the tendency to adopt pallia-
i've measures which are born Of
Everyone admits that certain basic
'hanges should be made. They viii
rot only help to improve conditions !
Immediately but will reserve to the !!