"In determining the meaning of legislation enacted through initiative or referendum, the courts have the right to look to, and may consider, the published arguments made in connection with the submission of such measures to the vote of the electorate. . . . We thus have positive evidence of what the people intended when they voted to adopt the referendum measure."
How later courts described this case
- "In determining the meaning of legislation enacted through initiative or referendum, the courts have the right to look to, and may consider, the published arguments made in connection with the submission of such measures to the vote of the electorate. . . . We thus have positive evidence of what the people intended when they voted to adopt the referendum measure."
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
Simpson, C. J.
(dissenting) — I am of the view that
Talbot v. Industrial Ins. Commission,
108 Wash. 231 , 183 Pac. 84 , 187 Pac. 410 , is controlling, and that that case announces the proper rule.