We have already abolished primogeniture, by which the eldest son, to the exclusion of all other children, inherits the entire landed estate of his ancestor, and no one in this country at this day would think of restoring that right, although it still obtains in England. If limitations should be put upon the disposition of vast estates by will or descent, future generations would doubtless look upon our present laws, which allow such estates to be perpetuated in certain families, with the same disfavor with which we now look upon the laws of primogeniture.
Evasions of laws limiting the amount of property to be devised or inherited, by conveyance during life, could be prohibited in like manner as conveyances in fraud of creditors are now prohibited.
IX.
DIRECT LEGISLATION.
THE INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM.
“No people can be self-governing who are denied the right to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on every law by which they are to be governed.”—Eltweed Pomeroy.
THE Initiative gives the people the power to compel the legislature to put in form all such laws as they may initiate or demand by a preliminary vote.
The Referendum gives the people the power to reject or ratify any legislation enacted by the legislature. All legislative enactments to be referred to the people for their ratification by vote before they become laws.
The Imperative Mandate gives the people the right to vote out of office at any time men who fail to serve the public or who are untrue to their pledges.
Proportional Representation secures the representation of all parties in proportion to their numerical strength.