1900 FRANK PARSONS. Rare Work Advocating for Direct Democracy and Popular Veto Power.
1900 FRANK PARSONS. Rare Work Advocating for Direct Democracy and Popular Veto Power.
A very scarce and fascinating little work by Frank Parsons [1854-1908]. He initially graduated from Cornell, but subsequently studied for the Bar. He lectured law at Boston University School of Law and was known as one of the most innovative thinkers of the Progressive Era.
He believed deeply in the American experiment, but that changing world circumstances and some unforeseen effects of the original documents should lead to ongoing revision of American law and policy. He advocated for currency reform, regulation of monopolies, and perhaps most innovatively, the establishment of a true direct democracy with a right to veto at the popular vote level. The present work addresses the latter.
Corrupt legislation would practically cease, and few wars would come to pass if the people had the power to call for a direct vote at the polls on such measures as they deemed best to have submitted for their approval or rejection.
Parsons, Frank. Direct Legislation. Or, The Veto Power in the Hands of the People. Philadelphia. Publisht [sic] by C. F. Taylor.
Original wraps, a bit worn, bent, and chipped at extremities; early pencil signature at head of illustrated front cover. Textually clean and complete. No copies on the market at the time of listing.