History
In 1911 the I&R movement organ Equity explained the failure to win
initiative and referendum rights in New York: “No Direct Legislationist has
expected New York State to come into the fold until about the last. The
‘interests’ are so strong, so thoroly intrenched [sic], and have so much at
stake in that state, that it is expected that their strongest fight against real
popular control of public affairs will be made there.”