Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1898-02-01
OFFICE IN TRIBUNE BUILDING.
TUESDAY. FEB. 1877, 1895
DIRECT LEGISLATION.

The following article, compiled by
B. F. Partridge for the Representative,
sums up the benefits which would be
derived from the enactment Of the mi
tiative and referendum, one of the
principles Of the Peoples Party:
e. Under this system direct legisla-
lation congress for the nation, legis-
latures for the state would propose or
frame measures and the people accept
or reject them as laws. Corruption is
a disease which afaicts republics. The
Roman republics died Of it. Our own
republic is afflicted with it. The. pop
ulists, observing that Switzerland had
found q remedy for this dread disease,
were the first political party il this
country to declare for the initiative
and referendum direct legislation.
Switzerland after long suffering now
stands forth purged and purified, an
example for American republics to
look to. Here is poor Uncle Sam, not
healthy, not prosperous. He has a
downcast humiliated look, as if con-
scious that his children are not what
they ought to be. He sees they have
formed loose habits in governmental
matters, that they are not attending to
the business of self-government as
they ought to attend to it in order to
be progressive, intelligent and happy.
Although direct legislation is a popu-
listic measure I ask the reader to-
judge of it by the Endorsement given it
by eminent men who have never
claimed to be populists. AS. q popu-
list I am Of course proud of the follow
ing Endorsements:
Hon. John P. St. John, ex-governor
of Kansas says: ''This is day of
murder, suicide, robbery, hunger and
starvation, the legitimate fruits of gov
ernment controlled by monopolies and
trusts. Direct legislation would give
back to the people control Of the gov
eminent. = .sS.e =s3s=.: ...
Rev. John S. Scudder, pastor First
Congregational church, Jersey City,
N. j., says: I regard direct legisla-
ton by all means the most important
and far reaching reform OF orr day.
The curse Of our land is purchasable
legislation, disposition OF our law
makers to sell out the people to; the
highest bidder. Under direct legisla-
Etion bribery will cease and the sover-
eighty Of the people will be something
more than an empty name and pleas
ing delusion. This reform is the basis
and prerequisite Of other popular re-
forms. II is bound to win. will
fight for Il as long as I live. q
Such names as "a. .. Howells,
John Wanamaker, Dr.. Lyman Abbott
and thousands Of others pc added as
believers, but space here allows but
one more testimo nial, that Of Frank
Parsons, professor il Boston Univer-
sity school Of law. He begins his ar
Sgument HE this; Il self-government
right? ESQ the referendum and init
alive follow. I@belieye IN self-govern-
ment, for the sake Of justice, safety,
manhood, education, Development,
and therefore I believe il the referen-
dunn, the most pr mising means Of en-
abling the people to exert the more
real and effective control over legis-
5lation whereby We may hope to secure
q more perfect government BY and for
the people. Direct Station means
an actual instead ofs mere theoretic
sovereignty % the people q IRE
governed to-day not ~ Is democracy,
but ~ al elective artist cracy holding
tor q term. 1'hle people arc sovereign
only atzthe moment 81 electio lon. The
men they elect bbeco ONE their masters
Tor. one, two, four Of six years 81 the
sca1se may be Power will sbe used ii
INTEREST of its possessor the power
sOfs Government N ffr gbe used HI the In