People's Pilot, Volume 2, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 February 1893 — INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM. [ARTICLE]

INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM.

Step* Are Being Tnken to Organise a National Direct Legislation League. Certain prominent reformers in the cast have inaugurated a movement looking to tho advancement of the cause by direct legislation. They have, with that end in view, issued a call, from which we clip as follows: The rapid progress in this country of the idea of direot'legislation has prompted the undersigned and associates, acting as a voluntary and provisional committee, to suggest tho formation of a national direct legislation league. We propose that the league, a strictly non-partisan organization, shall have as its sole object tho incorporation of the initiative and referendom in lawmaking. In the furtherance of this end, while establishing a bond of union among its members, the league would naturally adopt all possible worthy means—such as systematizing the work of advocates and spreading information concerning the movement.- Far from detracting from the efforts of friends ol direct legislation in any political party, the league would extend to them the aid arising from the united strength ol the many members of various parties who regard putting an end to our unrestricted representative system as tho essential preliminary step toward all other reforms. We, therefore, extend an invitation to men of every party ahd to those of no party to join the league. Upon application, by mall, there will be sent to all interested, who may apply therefor, copies of a proposed constitutional amendment for the state of New Jersey, with statutes providing for the referendum and the initiative. The document will answer as a help for friends in other states. In itself it stands as an argument for the practicability of the system of direct legislation. Address, with stamps for reply and for the league’s fund, Edward H. Pbatt, Provisional Secretary National Direct Legislation League, P. O. Box 1216, New York City.