Page:The Wisconsin idea (IA cu31924032449252).pdf/140

 any person pay or promise to pay, or in any manner compensate any such owner, publisher, editor, reporter, agent, or employee, directly or indirectly, for influencing or attempting to influence through any printed matter in such newspaper any voting at any election or primary through any means whatsoever, except through the matter inserted in such newspaper or periodical as 'paid advertisement,' and so designated as provided by law."

Initiative and Referendum

Statute law must fit economic conditions as Blackstone says "like the clothes on the body." It was feared by those who constructed the Wisconsin initiative and referendum resolution (jt. res. no. 74, laws of 1911) that if the Oregon plan was adopted, crude legislation, which would receive harsh criticism from the courts, would result. Bills, good in concept, but poor in technique, would result, it was thought, from the drafting of bills by groups in different parts of the state. Under the Oregon law these bills would have to be rejected or incorporated into the statutes without the change of a word or the dotting of an i. Bills submitted to the people should be so worded that a yes or no on the part of the voter is all that is necessary. It was felt that under any other system the voter might have to answer a question like that put to the man who insisted that a public speaker answers questions asked him by a yes or no. The speaker asked him in return, "When did you beat your wife last? Answer yes or no."