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 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. |