No. 123.1 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 25 



The Constitutional Convention and the Farmer. 



The acceptance by the people of all the amendments to the 

 Constitution, as proposed by the convention, in some ways 

 affects us all, but there are three measures which very directly 

 affect agriculture. 



The first of these, the anti-aid amendment, has been in 

 operation now for about one year. This measure affected the 

 farmers in so far as the State bounty was extended to agri- 

 cultural societies. 



The second, the initiative and referendum, makes it possible 

 for any group of people to initiate legislation and put it through 

 over the heads of the Legislature. That this form of legisla- 

 tion may be used by the farmer is possible. It, however, puts 

 into the hands of the people a force which they have never had 

 before, the wisdom of which is very questionable. The pos- 

 sibilities for good or evil under this system are enormous. In 

 so far as it affects the farmer, it is hoped that resort to it will 

 only be upon very important measures, and only after other 

 means have failed. 



The third, the amendment relating to the development of our 

 natural resources, brings home to the farmer a rather more 

 serious problem, in that this amendment declares that the con- 

 servation, development and utilization of all agricultural re- 

 sources are public uses. Under this amendment not only could 

 the State seize any agricultural land under the right of eminent 

 domain, but it could delegate this very dangerous power to 

 private corporations or individuals, so that there is a possibility 

 that it might ruin the business of farmer A to improve the 

 business of farmer B, on the ground that the latter's business 

 was more useful to the public. I am not predicting that the 

 Legislature ever would do this, but the amendment gives them 

 this power, and it is up to the farmers to see to it that the 

 power is wisely and judiciously used. 



