The herald., 1897-06-06

and determined the measures and pol
icy to be followed. We have outgrown
this system. Our interests are too COM
plex and our population Is too large for
the township system. It is a physical
impossibility for all the voters, say Of
Los Angeles, to meet together and
transact business. Consequently the
representative system has grown and
out of 1t has come the caucus, primary
and convention.
This system Is unsatisfactory. At the
last general election we saw protection
lists voting for a free trade candidate to
get free silver and free traders voting
for protectionist to maintain the gold
standard. The plain remedy for the
whole business is return to popular
government. This can be Immediately
attained by the initiative and referen-
dunn and the imperative mandate. BY
this method the people can secure action
on public questions without confusing
counter issues and without entering into
the demoralized profession Of politics
for Office and plunder.
The initiative and referendum enable
the people to directly propose and adopt
public measures. The imperative man.
date enables them to discharge an in
competent or corrupt officer.
We have the referendum now on
constitutional amendemnts and on bond
issues. 1t works we'll. The whole sys-
tenn is in full force in Switzerland. In
that sturdy and self-reliant republic 1t
has proved just and beneficent sys-
tenn. securing true popular government.
No cities in the civilized world are
81 nd In n
ciently as those of the United States.
Even the cities of Spain are better gov
erned than ours. 1t is essential for the
safety of the republic that this municipal
school of politics should be reformed.
Everyone recognizes this need. Direct
popular legislation Is the key to this re-
| form.
While direct legislation Is the key
whereby reforms can be inaugurated
with least resistance from our demoral-
lied and venal party organizations, the
line of least resistance will in many
cases be to adopt reforms as they are
proposed and under present methods.
Civil service reform, tax reform and
municipal reform are all receiving much
local attention. Taxes and finance are
attracting most attention in Federal af-
| fairs.
MUNICIPAL REFORM.
Municipal reform is in strong move
ment all over the United States. The
line of action is in general to increase
the power and responsibility of the
Mayor. Action of this kind will improve
the efficiency and lessen the cost of city
government. At the same time we see
city governments substantially satis-
factory everywhere in the civilized world
on a much more democratic plan. This
plan with more or less variation Is a
large elective council with little or no
pay. This council elects a presiding off,.
GER, appoints an executive committee
generally well paid and appoints ana
controls practically all the executive
officers. English cities are divided into
districts from each one of which there
are usually three councilmen. The term
of office is three years One Of these is
elected each year. The city election
takes place in November. The only off,
Ger elected at this election is the coun-
Gilman. The voters attention is con-
centrated upon the one office. RESPONSE
bility is clear and concentrated. The
council is both legislative and executive.
Nomination Is by petition only. Nation