The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, April 22, 1918, Page 14

World Watchesa League State in Action | North Dakota Plans to Add Some Modern, Money-Saving Improvements | to Its Constitution—Praised by a United States Senator THREE CHEERS FROM A SENATOR “I congratulate the Nonpartisan league of North Dakota on the splendid ini- tiative and referendum amendment, and the people of North Dakota for having a chance to vote on such amend- ments, because they are free from jok- ers. I have utmost confidence in the patriotism and good sense of the people of the Northwest and was rejoiced to see the League’s loyal message to President Wilson.”—United States Senator Robert L. Owen. BY REX LAMPMAN ~|JHE old state constitution of | North Dakota is going to have its face washed, its hair comb- ed and its teeth filled. This charter dates from the early days when the railroads and corporations bossed the legis- lature and the state officials as well. Little thought was given to the protection of the farmers and the toilers of the cities, but it safeguarded the privileges of the interests admirably. The world is now watching a League state in action. With the farmers in control a series of constitutional amendments are being initiated that will put the people of North Dakota in a position to regulate marketing conditions, purchasing con- ditions, grain grading, taxation, etc., in a way that will do justice to all and impose hardships on none. . The thing that breaks the hearts of the profiteers is the provision empowering the state, counties or towns the right to engage in industry, such as meat packing and flour milling. " This will mean just what Governor Frazier said in a campaign address, that “more of the wealth will go to the man who works and less to the man who thinks he does not have to work.” WHAT THE NEW PLAN WILL DO A few weeks ago petitions were put in circulation to vote at the November election on a number of important changes in thé state constitution. This is what the new amendments propose: 1—Give 10,000 electors at large the right to file initiative petitions. - 2—Give 7,000 electors at large the right to file a referendum petition. 3—Give 20,000 electors at large the right to pro- pose amendments to the constitution by initiative. 4—Makes it possible for the people to amend the constitution by a majority vote without having the legislature pass on the proposed amendments at its ensuing session. 5—Gives legislature the right to exempt all per- sonal property. from.tax-.. ... ation. 6—Makes it possible for the legislatureto levy-an-.-. acreage tax on land for the purpose - of establishing _state hail insurance fund. 7—Gives the state power * to issue. or guarantee bonds, but provides that those in excess of $2,000,- 000 shall be secured by real estate first mortgages, not to exceed oné-half_ . _value of property. 8—Gives the state power. to issue or guarantee bonds Judson King, executive secretary of the National Popular - Government league of Washington, D. C., says: « “The proposed amendments to the .North / Dakota constitution offer a clear, steel-jacketed channel through which the people can express their will, 'a channel which can neither be blocked, choked oiv diverted by legis- latures or-eourts” e The North Dakota constitution, when amended, would allow the people to direct the state officials to _ build grain elevators. This would. furnish competition for the private corporations which are taking their toll from workers on the farm and in the cities. A state-owned terminal elevator, flour mill or packing house would set a pace which would force these monopolies to deal fairly with all. on state-owned utilities, enterprises or indus- tries up to $10,000,000. 9—Requires that every bond issue shall carry provisions by annual tax or otherwise for payment of interest semi-annually, and payment of principal within 30 years. 10—Gives state, counties and cities right to make internal improve- ments or engage in any industry, enterprise or business not prohibited by Article 20 of the constitu- tion; and prohibits state or any - political subdivision from loaning money or giving credit to private organizations, except for reasonable support of the poor. I This is an indication of what. the farmers do when they come into political control of a state. They get busy to re- deem their pledges for the the farmers won in North Da- kota they found themselves blocked by the old state con- stitution which was devised by corporation lawyers at the beginning of statehood to pre- vent_ the people using their power. To make it worse, amend- ments masquerading as reform were added in such a way that popular government was al- most- absolutely denied. When the initiative and referendum were made part of the consti- tution by the old gangsters, it as cunningly centrived “that these = instruments were so hampered as to -be almost useless. SUCCESS AT THE POLLS ASSURED Were it not for the power- tional Nonpartisan league, it would be impossible to initiate ‘legislation by petition. Under the old requirement, 25 per cent -of the voters'of at least half of the. counties must sien benefit of all the people. When - ful organization of the Na- the -petition for a vote on the A RESURRECTION OF DEMOCRACY “These amendments will strip the grave-clothes from the resurrected body of a buried democracy and make North Dakota the freest and most pro- gressive of all states.”—Walter Thomas Mills. proposals. This means that close to 30,000 signa- tures from half the counties must be “obtained. That is a herculean task, but not too big for the Nonpartisan league. The petitions are now being circulated without cost by League members. The amendments, when adopted—and they will receive an overwhelming majority at the fall elec- tion—will give North Dakota the best initiative. and referendum of any state. This is the state- ment of such noted authorities as United States Senator Robert L. Owen of Oklahoma, president of the National Popular Government league; Jud- son King, executive secretary of the same solid organization, and Walter Thomas Mills, an inter- national authority on economics. William S. U’Ren, “the father of the Oregon system” of popular gov- : ernment, also indorses it. . The League at the next election will displace a large number of hold-over reactionary state sena- tors with staunch progressives. At the session next winter the League will have a legislature that will work in complete harmony and put all the promis- ed legis'ation through. Its opponents are amazed to see an organization setting about as soon as it gets power to keep all campaign promises. It was néver done by the old parties. : EXPECTS A 20 TO 1 VICTORY “The proposed North Dakota initiative i and referendum amendments are fine, and in several particulars a great im- provement on the Oregon form. I think the North Dakota majority in. their favor should be at least 20 to 1. It was 11 to 1 when it was adopted in whole list of amendments proposed by the Nonpartisan league overwhelming- ly indorsed by the people of North = | - Dakota.”—William S. U'Ren. Oregon 16 years ago. I hope to see the. o d