It is the absence of public spirit that renders possible
in many of our larger cities the formation of corrupt
bands of professional politicians, called "rings," which
obtain and keep absolute control of the government of
these cities, and by selling contracts for work at extrava-
gant rates, by accepting bribes, and by other corrupt
means, dishonestly enrich themselves and their follow-
ers at the expense of the people. Corrupt judges are
placed upon the bench, business men and corporations
are blackmailed, liquor sellers and keepers of disrepu-
table houses are released from proper police regula-
tion in return for certain assessments, and in every
conceivable way not only are the people subjected to
excessive taxation, but the morals of cities are debauched
by a lax and dishonest administration of justice.
The Initiative and Referendum. — There are some
who think that not only should the people be permitted
to elect all public officials, but that all the more impor-
tant laws should be submitted to their direct vote before
going into effect, and also that in those cases in which
it is not specifically provided that their consent shall be
sought, a certain number'of them may demand that any



268 UNITED STATES CIVIL GOVERNMENT

particular measure designated by them shall be drafted
by the legislature and submitted to their vote. This
method of enacting law by a direct popular vote is
termed the Referendum ; while the proposing of meas-
ures by the popular voice is termed the Initiative.
