Initiative And The Referendum

INITIATIVE AND THE REFERENDUM.

The Basis of a Party Organized at the Queen City.

Cincinnati, March 2.---The delegates to the Union Reform convention gathered together yesterday and after organization of the convention a committee on resolutions was appointed which later reported an argument for the initiative and referendum and closing as follows: "We therefore, reserving to ourselves the right to legislate for ourselves and the right to our individual opinions on all questions of legislation, unite for the accomplishment of that end, for the enfranchisement of the American people and the establishment of government in which the will of the people shall be supreme. And we invite all persons who believe in the principles of liberty and the Declaration of Independence to unite in support of the following: Direct legislation under the system known as the 'initiative and referendum.'"

The following permanent organization was effected: Chairman, R. S. Thompson, Springfield, O.; secretary, Asa Taylor, Omaha, Neb.; assistant secretary, T. J, Donnelly, Cincinnati. The committee nominated Edward Evans, of New York, for permanent chairman, but he was engaged with the committee in drafting a plan for the permanent organization of the party. Over $1,000 was raised on the floor of the convention for the national executive committee, which was selected as follows: R. S. Thompson and W. S. Seely, Ohio; Edward Evans, New York; A. M. Eichelberger, Maryland; J. M. Dunlop, Indiana; Sheridan Webster, Missouri; J. G. Waite, Sturges, Mich.; F. A. Nailee, Pennsylvania: Asa Taylor, Nebraska.