DIRECT LEGISLATION MEANS

The veto power in the hands of the people.

The adopting power in the people's laws.

The proposing and enacting power in the hands of the sovereign people.

The end of corrupt legislation.

The death of the lobby.

The development of good citizenship.

The effectuation of popular sovereignty, or making popular sovereignty a fact instead of a name and a theory.

Government by and for the people.

DIRECT LEGISLATION

OR

THE VETO POWER IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE

BY

PROF. FRANK PARSONS

LECTURER IN BOSTON UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL; MEMBER AMERICAN SOCIAL SCIENCE
ASSOCIATION AND AMERICAN ACADEMY OF POLITICAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE;
AUTHOR OF "THE WORLD'S BEST BOOKS,' ""THE TELEGRAPH
MONOPOLY," "RATIONAL MONEY,' ‘THE CITY

WOULD COME TO PASS IF THE PEOPLE HAD THE POWER

TO CALL FOR A DIRECT VOTE AT THE POLLS

ON SUCH MEASURES AS THEY

DEEMED BEST TO HAVE SUBMITTED

FOR THEIR APPROVAL OR

REJECTION

PREFACE.

This book is designed to aid (1) those who desire to understand the nature and meaning of direct legislation in the shortest possible time, and (2) those who wish a full discussion of the subject from which they may secure abundant materials for articles and addresses.

The first chapter contains a short treatment of direct legislation in its broadest relations, including its effects upon war, trusts, finance, and other national questions, and the method of its use in federal elections. This chapter is of special interest in connection with the direct legislation planks in the Kansas City and Sioux Falls platforms.

Chapter II summarizes twenty of the chief reasons for the extension of the use of the referendum in city, state, and national affairs.

Chapter III affords an exhaustive statement of the history, operation, and results of direct legislation in this country and in Switzerland, together with all the arguments for the extension of Direct Legislation, and a thoro discussion of the objections that have been raised against it.

The historical portions and part of the facts and arguments are restatements and condensations of matter printed in previous works, but many of the most effective arguments and modes of presentaton are wholly original and will not be found in the work of any preceding writer.

Boston, Mass.

FRANK PARSONS.

THE PEOPLE

ARE ASKED TO VOTE

ON STATE AND NATIONAL PLATFORMS

THAT IS, THEY ARE ASKED TO VOTE ON FOUR OR FIVE OR A DOZEN QUESTIONS

ALL IN A HEAP.

WHY NOT ASK THEM

TO SAY YES OR NO

ON EACH ISSUE SEPARATELY,

AND MAKE THEIR DECISION BINDING.

THEN YOU HAVE

DIRECT LEGISLATION, OR REAL AND EFFECTIVE

GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE.