The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1897-08-27
nIRECE LEGIsIATIOg.

Our republican institutions, as good
as they are, are VIGOROUSLY imperfect
Corruption seems to be the disease Of
republics. The Roman republic died
Of it. France and our own republic are
seriously afflicted with it. But the old
est republic now in existence, SWitzsr-
land, after long suffering, found a re-
medy FOR it, and she now stands forth |
purged and pure, an example TO her
larger but younger sisters.
Republics are governed by repTssen- /
tativss, elected usually for a specified
time. During this time they hold sb-
solute sway, without, as a rule, feeling
the responsibility felt by officers in
monarchies, who hold their positions
permanently. Hence these representa-
tives, temporary, but absolute FOR the
time being, are too frequently an easy
prey to scheming politicians, each
serving the others selfish interests.
One Of our subscribers suggests that
it would be a good thing to shave 8
string to our cOngi essmen;" that is, to
have the power to un-elset any con-
gresham when he fans TO give salts
faction to his constituents. That would
be good plan, but the Swiss plan is
better.
a feature was added to the Swiss
organic law requiring that all bills
above a certain degree Of Importance,
and not being of immediate urgency,
should be referred to the people for
their ratification or rejection at the
next general election. Then the willy
politician sought pastures new, for his
occupation was gone. This is called
the referendum.
But the Swiss people, suspecting
their representatives still further, re-
tanned the privilege of initiating legis-
lation. That is, any bill (which any
voter can PROPOSE, when endorsed by
a certain percentage of the voters,
must be acted upon by the government,
and in turn by the people at the next
election, if necessary. This is called
the initiative. That is, the people
claim for themselves the privilege Of
proposing and determining legislation
This is called direct legislation; and
it has purified the hitherto very cor
rupt politics of Switzerland.
| Democrats, isn't this fair? It is re-
turn to simple democracy. Republi.
cans, isn't this fair? It is only wider
application of the principle, govern.
ment by the people," Populists, isn't
this fair? It will place directly in the
hands of the people all the modern re-
forms. Prohibitionists, socialists and
single takers, isn't this fair? Your
ideas will then have fair chance.
; Now this-the initiative and refer
endum-is what all can unite upon
and it should be done Immediately
1t is the key that will unlock the gold
en- future. Opposition to it is self con
domination. We want immediate anC
: united action. A party with this single
principle alone for a platform womb
deserve success at the next genera
election. If it should require a strug
gle for the next eight or ten years, i
' would be worth it.
When has political party kept it
promises? What do politiool platforms
mean? What do elections mean? Th'
meaning of every election is interpret
3 ed in hundred different ways. ReaC
5 the various "opinions" after election
. With the referendum the meaning
would be direct and specific.
We could then vote for principle;
and measures, and not merely for men
and our expressions at the ballot boz
would be understood. Let US have it
and through it let US Gust the profes
siOnal politician, the lobbyist, the cor
? ruptiOnist, and obtain justice for tbs
q weakest as we'll as the strongest in Oul
midst,-Dr, G. F. Taylor 10 Medical
World.