Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1886-07-11
MEASURES BEFORE MEN.
Ectroct from Gronlmds "Co-operdfire
Commonwealth

1t is a notorious fact that the voters IN
our country and in all countries are alb
somtely indifferent to-we may say truth
fully, that they look with sort Of con-
tempt on-the electoral franchise; and
the humbug Of representation that we
ulNer!ed to in The preceding chapter is a
sufficiently good reason. Voters will
naturally remain Indifferent, as long as
political campaign means but strife for
candidates. Whenever they do vote,
they will continue to do SO from the same
reasons which solely influence them now,
to wit: habit, or the desire to advance
friend or "hero" or the chance of get
ting drink.
But when the voters have measures
before them,-not merely general, and
therefore vague, constitutional provis-
ions, but d0ert. Specim meaS,rps-to dis,
cuss and then to ratify or reject, it may
fairly be expected, that they will take
considerable and increasing interest in
public affairs Then, also, they will very
likely come more and more to appreciate
the fact, that Suffrage is not a right at
all-if it We're, votes would, indeed, be
things to be sold or given away, at pleas
ure-but u pubHc trust.
The referendum is expedient, because
bills will then be intelligently discussed
before they become laws. We shall then
no more witness the indecency that I'M
portant laws the provisions of which
even are often unknown to the legisla-
tors are enacted in the hurry of the last
night of a session, under the spur of the
party whip. Then we shall no longer
see huge volumes of trash issuing yearly
from legislative halls. but shall have few,
and none but necessary, laws.
''But this is all nonsense to propose to
get along without representatives. The
people of large country, like that of
ours, cannot possibly pass upon all
| laws"
Yes, we know, that once upon time
somebody made a remark of that kind,
and that it has been echoed and re echoed
ever since, Humanity does really re-
semble flock of sheep which are known
to be so conscientious that, if you hold
stick before the wether so that he is
forced to vault in his passage, the whole
flock will do the like when the stick is
withdrawn.
Why cannot the people, even of so
populous and extensive country as ours,
vote upon all laws? DO not, as a matter
of fact, our people vote to reject or ac-
cept the constitutions of their several
States? DO they not practically vote for
the President? What reason in the
world is there, why they cannot just as
well vote upon law as upon a constitu-
ton or upon men?
And what reason is there for the peo-
pie to have representatives at all?
True, they needs must have men to di-
rect affairs and do certain work for them.
These men are their agents for certain
purposes, but in no sense their represent
mires, 1t is their fictitious representa-
tive character which permits Pennsylva-
mia legislators to drag along the scandal
Gus extra session and prevents their being
kicked out of their seats as they ought to
be- II is this Representative" character
that is the father of all parliamentary
nonsense, laundering work and the "prac-
teal politics., in which Garfield was
such an adept, and Of which he fell such
a signal victim.
Under the socialist Regime the admin
istrators will form Working Body, not
TALKING Body. The people in their organ
ic capacity will watch, stimulate and
control them but not NEEDLE with details.
Their agents will have been put into the
positions they occupy, because they
know better than anybody else how to
contrive the means and execute the
measures demanded. They will admin
isfer the Nations affairs rs a pilot directs
and handles a ship, but the direction of
the Ship of State will he indicated by
Public Opinion.
ANOTHER NAV