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Home > Journals > Michigan Law Review > MLR > Volume 6 > Issue 2 (1907)

 

Abstract

The constitution of the latest state to be admitted to the Federal Union contains many interesting features, some significant of recent tendencies in state government, and others distinctly novel, which suggest queries as to the probable trend of future development. Public attention has already been attracted to some of the most striking provisions; and a more careful analysis of the constitution as a whole should be of value to those concerned in the problems of American government. At the outset, one familiar with the constitution of the older states will be struck by the length of the Oklahoma document. It consists of ninety-four pages, closely printed, containing about 100,000 words, making it the longest of the state constitutions. The size of the constitution is of itself evidence that it contains much more than was considered constitutional matter in earlier days, and further examination shows that it includes a large amount of detail similar to statutory provisions; and this is indeed recognized by provisions authorizing the legislature to alter many sections of the constitution by statute. The length and detail of the constitution is further an evidence of its most striking characteristic, which is illustrated in many other ways, the tendency towards the forms of direct democratic government, in contrast with the representative ideal that has hitherto prevailed. The constitution is itself a considerable code of laws enacted by popular vote; and by its elaborate provisions closely limits the sphere of action of all public officials. This tendency towards direct democratic government is also shown by the long list of elective officers, by the requirement for a mandatory direct nomination law, and, above all, by the provisions for the popular initiative and referendum on all matters of state and local legislation.

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