St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-01-16
THE GLOBE LETTER-BOX.
HOW TO DO 1T.

j. o. Barrett Makes Some Sugges-
tions to the Alliance.
To the Editor of the Globe:
So long as a reform is not backed by
an organized party, men of diverse opln-
ions are generally willing to listen to
its arguments and endorse them IL
found practical. But the moment it is
planked in party platform, threaten
ing to suppant the reigning admins
tration. every imp of strategy and
villainy is evoked to fight 1t
down. Under existing social condl-
tons party may be necessary, but since
it does stand in the way of reform.
ought we not to rise above II and lnsti-
tute something better? Men become so
infatuated with the glory of winning in
the political battle, any trickery is eX-
cused if they can only '"get there"
Why must we thus forestall the
expression of our better natures?
Take a case. Almost univer-
sally men are opposed to the saloon
system. Everybody depl0res the GUS
tomary intemperance. But the saloon
votes are counted even by the Alliance.
Other great and important matters are
pending. The success and perpetuatlon
of the party are considered. Men will
therefore silence certain convictions of
moral duty for the sake of party victory,
believing ali the time they can
and will eventually reach the evil
and root it out. We're the liquor propo-
sition of the Alliance, as planked in its
platform, submitted to the people. the
outlook is that it would be voted down,
not so much, perhaps, by the Alliance
as by the old parties that would foreSee
the Alliance might thus gain some
moral credit; and there are some prohi-
bition partisans so clanniSh they would
not aid in the undertaking because the
Prohibition party would not then have
the credit. But separate the question
from all party consideration. SO that the
people could freely express their will,
nd the presumption is the bill would
become constitutional.
Similar results would naturally Oh
ia IL in financial and business affairs.
There is. for instance. the railroad
question, The Knights of Labor demand
the people shall own and operate the
railroads through the state as their agent.
Democrats and Alliance men are fast
feeling their way to plank the
proposition. Doubtless majority of
Republicans, when singly interrogated,
favor it: but the Repu blicanS in party
action are opposed, because the others
indorse. Were it billed for submission,
a perfect howl about paternallSm would
90 up, and the proposition be voted
down. Thus it is on all the moot
ed questions of the honr 1t is i'm
possible to obtain the free and
unbiased will OF the people, so
long as party spirit is in the ascendency.
1t we could eliminate such jealousy,
great questions could be readily settled.
and the march of improvement I'M
checked. Now is there no way out of
so needless ENHANCEMENT? Let me sug-
gest what can be done. The farmers
are organized into Alliances, city labor
ers into labor unions, and there is room
for business men OF the cities and
lectiVe defense. Suppose the home
forces we're thus fortified and federated,
and the railroad questions were up for
consideration in the legislature. Our
legislators would not be certain that the
people want to own the railroads.
Under the circumstances they Qhe
legislators could directly appeal to
the home organizations. and they OBJ
tain a vote fer or against. l would not
recommend such appeal should be
legaIized, for they would engender party
prejudice again and incur needless
costs. An arrangement of this kind
aids our legislators nin coming to
conclusions OIL difficult PROPOSE
tions, forestalling damaging delays.
1t largely neutralizes party acrimony
and greed. 1t evokes constant investi-
CATION at home, and unites the people
and their representatives in co-actlon.
1t guards against legislative bribery. 1t
throws the responsibility of the laws
made upon the people, and preserves
the Democratic rule of government
for the people and to the people,"
j. o. BARRETT.
Browns Valley, Jan. Is.