Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1895-10-31

BY George x. Young, Longmont, Colo.
In theory a representative govern
ment Is republic; in fact a representa-
tive government is not republic, or at
ieast it does not long remain one, after
its founders have passed away.
Every representative republic of the
past has persisted from off the earth.
The little Alpine republic Of Switzer-
land was upon the same road that led
so many of its predecessors to ruin; but
nearing the rocks it changed its course,
adopted direct legislation, and is to-day
the healthiest, as we'll as the Oldest, re-
public in existence.
Perhaps our own country Is the most
striking example Of the complete FALL
ure Of the representative system. The
people never get the laws they desire,
but they get plenty which they dislike.
II a measure good for the people be In
troduced in legislative body, the tinal
product is as badly disfigured as man
who has run an Indian gauntlet.
Even our constitution fails US. Made
more than a century ago, It's trainers
saw not the embryonic but tremendous
forces lying in ambush, to finally crush
the liberties of the people; but they
needed not the warning voice of the elo-
quent Patrick Henry, who plead in vain
for bill of rights for the people. They
turned a deaf ear to the admonitions OF
that embodiment Of statesmanship-
Thomas Jefferson-who, from beyond
the sea, deplored the absence Of bill
Of rights. OF this defective document
James Monroe said: II see in 1t no
real checks upon the government
See Bancroft's History OF Constitu-
tibn," page 428.
The people have, for many years.
been clamoring for the poor little priv
ilege of themselves electing their
United States senators. But even this
Is denied them. The enthroned corpor-
atoms prefer senators Of their own
choosing.
The history of legislation in this
country for the century now closing
should convince every one that 1t Is
waste of time and energy to work for
reform under the present system Of law
making. All efforts for free coinage"
prohibition, single tax, restriction Of
immigration, government control, etc.,
will fail in the future as they have done
in the past. There is always some
power other than Divinity that shapes
all the ends Of legislation.
The initiative and referendum consti-
tute direct legislation by the people.
It is democracy in its purity. 1t is re-
publlcanlsm in its simplicity.
1t is, in itself, not so much Of reform
as it is a means Of obtaining reforms.
II will throw wide open the gates which
have so long barred the people from
their God-given rights. 1t will relegate
to the rear all the political crooks, the
heelers, gangsters, shysters, parasites,
etc. which have so long been curse
and a disgrace to our country. Hypo-
critics and fawners, too, will have to
take back seats.
OF all the demands Of reformers, the
referendum is most feared by plutoc-
racy, as witnessed by its omnibus ST.
lence regarding it. 1t does not oppose,
1t dare not agitate. 1t orders its tools:
Eight government ownership, ridlcule
sub-treasury, but ignore the roferen-
dunn" 1t sees that its craft is in dan
GER" for, with direct legislation, the
briber and the lobbyist could not ply
their vocation, and the reckless parti-
san, the oily politician and the heart
less demagogue would be as helpless for
harm as would be a lot Of wild beasts
after their claws and fangs had been ex-
tracted. With the imperative man
date and the veto power In the hands Of
the people, there would be no need Of
drilling Sunday-school boys in the arts
Of war, for the people would respect
and obey laws enacted by themselves.
Instead Of being nominal freemen, but
real slaves Of the politicians, as now,
the people would all be, in reality, free
men.
Little or no argument is ever ad-
vanced against 1t. Occasionally some
one says: 1T may do in a small coun'
try like Switzerland, but would never
do In large country like ours"