The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-29
Direct LegislatiOn: Reasons for 1t.


In our previous articles we have
| shown that great change in our 1egis-
| lation system is absolutely necessary III
| order that all of the ends of govern
ment Of by and for the people may be
attained; and that this change can be
| made in a peaceable orderly and consti-
tutional way, so far as Texas is con-
cerned, in the state campaign of 1885,
In order that this may be done, we sug-
| gested that in the state canvas of 1898
the question of wrestling all power from
the present ruling and lawmaking oil
garchs and restoring it to the people be
made the paramount and only issue.
We now proceed to give a few reasons
why 1t should be made the "only' issue
| and say:
l. This being gained the one great
road will be opened for the advancing Of
all other measures which the people may
desire, demand and vote.
2. The membership, or kingdom of
the people must first be had and then all
other needful things will be added: for
have we not divine authority for say
| ing Seek we first the kingdom of
| heaven, and all other needful things will
be added This is manifest.
3. 1t is the greatest work, or need, of
| the day; and as such we should give
our Immediate attention, to keeping the
| words of the great teacher, take no
thought of tomorrow, for sufficient unto
the day are the things thereof" and
whatever your hands find to do, do
with all of your might part Of
your might.
4. With many irons in the fire, scme
Of them get burnt.
5. Every great measure should stand
on Its own merits and not be entangled
| and frustrated by being mixed up with
others.
6. More men will agree on one great
measure than will agree on each and all
of multiplicity of measures.
Z. 1t is the only measure that being
made a square issue will inevitably
separate the goats from the sheep; those
who favor the rule of the people will &c
to the right those who favor the rule Of
the oligarchs will go to the left.
8. There is a universal desire for
some tangible and present change from
the bondage in which people feel them
selves bound. This, and this only, will
give it.
9. 1t is illogical to couple special
with general issue. For instance; sup
pose man without health and strength
should say, Il will not seek the res
toration of health and it's consequent
general strength, unless at the same
time l am permitted to build or own a
railroad, or do some other particular
thing" We all know that any common
sense doctor would advise the invalid to
seek first to recover health; and then he
might worry with work which the
strength consequent upon restored
health might enable him to do. Getting
health and strength is the first concern;
it must be attended to first. When
health comes, then, and then only,
comes strength or power, to do any par
ticular thing; in face to do any and all
things in keeping with his strength.
This, like all orderly things, is so plain
that wayfarer may see 1t. Health is
the thing of the To-day" What you
will do when you get health, is the thing
! Of -"FTOmorrou"-whi1c orrooo5 with
things Of the Today" in the sense
herein shown, it is folly to take On the
work of "the morrow"
What the people will do when they
get power restored to them is one thing;
and the getting of the power is still
another. With sick and powerless
man, restoration Of health and power is
the first thing. AS to what he may do
| all of the days of his life after he has
health, are the things of after consider
alton. 1t is sufficient to know that
without health he will never do any
thing; but that with health he can, if
he will, do all things in keeping With his
desire and strength.
Hence we say that the restoration Of
power to the people is the work of to-
day, and is the first and only work that
should be undertaken in the campaign
of 1898 in Texas. And all men, utterly
kets, and suficiency of money
regardless of other differences as to
what the people should enact into law
after they get chance to make their
own laws, who believe in government
of, by and for the people. should unite
in one great move to restore power to
the people.
So far as am concerned, though from
the beginning I have believed and still
believe that homes for the people. With
cheap transportation to and HON mar
to buy and sell on Z cash