People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 July 1895 — Referendum in Massachusetts. [ARTICLE]

Referendum in Massachusetts.

There seems to be an inclanation in Massachusetts to make a trial of the Referendum principle. The Supreme Court decided not long ago that- no experiment could be made without an amendment of the Constitution. and the lower branch of the legislature last year, by the one sided vote of 156 to 2. declared in favor of submitting such proposition to the people. No doubt is felt that the senate will concur. This action must be endorsed by another legislature before the question reaches the voters, but, as both parties practically committed themselves to it last year, it seems reasonable to suppose that the people will be called upon for a decision. When the matter reaches this stage, there will be a more thorough discussion of the principles involved than has yet been had. Other states are likely to w’ait for a trial of the system in Massachusetts before lending it much favor.