DIRECT LEGISLATION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2807, 27 June 1916, Page 6

DIRECT LEGISLATION

Sir,—The following, which is just to hand by the 'Frisco mail, should be of interest just now'. ■ Tho Hon. R. L. Owen, of Oklahoma, in tho Sonate of the United States, October 8, 1914, was permitted to insert in the Record a memorandum relating to the initiative and referendum, from which the following extracts aro taken:—

"What is direct legislation?— Direct legislation is the right of the people to enact or reject laws by their votes at the polls, just as they now vote upon candidates or constitutional amendments. It is exercised through tho initiative and referendum. "What is tho initiativef"—The initiative is a method by which the people can propose a law or constitutional amendment by petition. Tho petition is filed with the Secretary of State four months prior to a general election, and submitted hv him to tho voters at tn» ensuing election. If a- majority of the voters votinj; on tho question vote "Yes," the law is enacted, and goes into operation. If a majority vote '"No," it is rejected. . . . "What is tho referendum?"— The referendum is a method by which the people maty reject at the 'polls Aot's ot tho Legislature which do not suit them. A petition against a law must ■be filed within ninety days after the Legislature adjourns. The law is then suspended, and a vote is taken upon it at the next general election. If a majority vote "No," ilio law is vetoed, if "Yes," the Legislature is sustained. . . . "How large petitions are required?"— Eight petr cent, of tho voters of a Stato are usually required on initiativo petitions and five per cent, upon referendum petitions. A better system is to require a flat number of signatures. The, splendid amendment pending in Mississippi requires 7500 qualified voters upon initiative petitions, and 6000 for tho referendum. Maine .requires 12,000 for the initiatfve, and 10,000 for the referendum.

. . . Why do wo need the initiative arid referendum?

"Tho methods of our Legislatures make tho operations of political machines easy, for veiy little of ouri legislation is formed and effected by open debate upon the floor. Almost all of it is framedw4n lawyers' offices, discussed in committee rqomis. and passed without debate.. Bills that the machine and its backers do not desire are smothered in committee; measures which they do desire are brought out and hurried through their pnssage. ... It is strenuously—but often secretly—opposed by all reactionary politician!;, nil the big trusts arid corporations, nenrly all the cornoration lawvers, and everv corrupt political boss in the United States." In seventeen States, carrvinir a total imputation of 23,000.000 neople, the initiative nnd referendum is in operation. Thanking you, Sir, in anticipation,—l am, etc., , GEORGE STEWART, Chairman Initiative and Referendum.