Los Angeles herald., 1891-09-20
THE TURNVEREIN.
The Union Adopts a Broad
National Platform.
A Gymnastic Association with
Political Trend.
An Interesting Situation and a
Printed Document.
The Platform Subscribed to by q
Quarter of Million OF Citizens.
Physical Health and Polit-
ical Liberaiity.

All readers of papers published in
America in the English language have
heard more or less of the German
"Turnverein," that ubiquitous organi-
zation of German-Americans which is
devoted to the development of muscular
tissue among the Teutonic citizens OF
the country. For the first time in
American journalism the Herald is
able to offer its readers the national
platform, under which the turnvereins
of Che whole United States have been
organized. In consideration of the fact
that this platform has been adopted by
over 250,000 citizens of the country, il
must OF course be of general interest.
1t says: "We, the members of the
Gymnastic societies OF the United States
of America, propose by union under
the name. the North American GYM
nastic Union, to aid each other in rear
ing a people strong in both body and
mind.
s'We recognize in the dissemination
of culture and the fostering of ethical
and moral principles, the only means Of
effecting thorough reform of social, re-
ligious and political life.
'sWe strive for the development of the
republic on a truly human and repub-
hcan basis. We therefore oppose most
decidedly any attempt to interfere with
the liberty of conscience, and also legis-
lative encroachments that are hostile to
the perfection and development of our
free institutions"
Even though all the desired reforms,
as called for by the principles announced
in the platform of the North American
Gymnastic union, may not be capable
of immediate realization, yet rational
and broader view of political and social
development requires their grouping
together for general survey, as well as
a timely and comprehensive considera-
ton of the chief demands for such re-
forms.
We therefore pronounce in favor of
the following:
1.-THE sovereignty of the people is in
alienable and cannot be transferred or
delegated to its representatives or Off
GERS in either the legislative or execu-
tive departments. Not only should ev-
erything be done for the people, but also
by the people. The people must, there
fore, secure the constant and direct de-
pendence and responsibility of those to
whom they entrust the care OF their in
terests. For this purpose they must
reserve the right, in case of official dere-
Ection, to remove them from their Office
or position at any time, and call them
to account, under such restrictions and
conditions as are calculated to preclude
abuse. They must also reserve to them
selves the right of proposing laws, and
must make the validity of all important
laws passed by its legislators dependent
upon their subsequent approval.
Complicated modes of representa-
ton and artificial delegation of power,
borrowed from the political institutions
of the Old World, are pernicious obsta-
cles to true democracy, and promoters of
reactionary tendencies. For purposes of
legislation and administration the peo-
pie need but a single body of RESPONSE
BILE representatives who must be sub
ject to recall; such body to entrust the
execution of its laws and resolutions to
an executive or administrative commits
sion, directly responsible to the legisla-
tive body, and selected by it from the
people at large.
The right of the several states to
adopt laws, or to take measures which
conflict with the spirit of the constitu-
tion of the United States, especially
such as relate to the liberty of the press,
to religious affairs, or to the right of as
sembly, should be abolished
ssWe recommend as proper means of
relieving public distress and of amel-
iorating social conditions, shortening of
the hours Of labor and the establishment
OF normal working day of eight hours
for industrial purposes, sanitary protec-
tion of citizens, by control over factories,
by protection against adulteration of ar
ticAeS Of food, and by the sanitary SUI
pervision of houses, statistical ascertain
ment on the part of the state of the
condition Of the working classes; a
prohibition of the employment of child
rem under IA years for industrial pur-
poses; a cessation of all further land
grants or sales to individuals and cor
porations; that the public lands must
remain the inalienable property of the
people, transferable to real cultivators
for use only under conditions which will
secure this object; compulsory educa-
tlon and free instruction to everybody
secured to the INDECENT even, through
puDlic aid, should be impaired in every
school or other institution of learning
which is supported by state or munich
pal funds; energetic agitation for the
introduction of German instruction and
OF gymnastics in the public schools, al
we'll as the prevention of all sectariar
influences in the same, progressive in.
come tax, and legacy or succession
duty or tax, with provision for the ex
emption OF the minimum amount neces
sary for the support of family; trans
fer of all public means of communica
tiOn railroads, telegraphs, etc., to thu
state; thorough reform of our judicia
system; the abolition Of all indirec
taxation.
Religious views and convictions de-
pend upon the spiritual and moral neeC
of each individual and these needs are
In keeping with his individual intelli
Gence and culture. By their very ma.
ture, such views and convictions with.
draw themselves from all compulsory
influence and control. For this reason
all directions, provisions and laws i'm
posed in this respect by the state, must
be looked upon and opposed as being
tyrannieal and irrational encroachments
upon personal rights and upon individ
ual freedom of conscience, .and being
hostile to the constitution, should there
fore be opposed.
OF these entertainments the following
may be specially mentioned:
Sunday laws, the exemption of church