Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-03-02

Citizens of the state and of the Uni
ted States, who are considering, or
may consider the proposal to add di-
rect law-making to our legislative sys-
tenn, ought to answer in their own
minds these questions:
Have the advocates of the Initiative
and Referendum any personal ends to
gainr No one has doubted their pa
triotism-the worst accusation against
them is that they are ''cranks."
Is our present system entirely per-
feet? Is it even satisfactory and suth-
Client?
Which do we get, the laws the peo-
Die want, and need-or the laws OF
party policy after wearisome party
strife? Does the state Legislature, does
congress, does the city council, waste
any time or money! What does the
legislature, congress, or the city coun-
Gil accomplish compared to the time
consumed and money appropriated? Is
there such thing as a political bossF
Are there such things as heelers and
strikers for the boss?
Are there such things as professional
otice-seekers? Are legislatures boughtE
Are honest poor mem usually elected
TO the United States senator Is, OF Is
not the United States senate largely
composed of men representing great
moneyed interests?
Are members of congress, i'll patriot
ism, purity of character, political NOR
ais and brain power, the cream OF the
neople or are they hack politicians,
often failures at home in their own
professions. and usually below the
average in intelligence!
DO the bosses of the two political
parties secretly divide the Offices be-
fore the conventions meet? DO you
think it ii mere accident that where
strong man is nominated on the repuD-
Iican ticket it so often happens a weak
man is nominated for the same othce
on the democratic ticket, and where
very popular democrat is nominated
that a very unpopular republican Is
named for the same office? You know
this is often done in the election Oh
MAYOR, a county clerk or a sherlH-do
Won think it is never done in the cleo
lion of a legislature or n congress?
The most notable recent example is
Ross Platt's aid to Tammany in the
capture of Greater New Iork-Iam-
many from Tweed to Croker notorious
ly standing for Doodle and corruption
apainst the interests of the toiler and
the capitalist alike.
Competition is Impossible when
combination is possible" is as true of
politics for office as of any other busl-
ness-politlcal bosses are too wise ana
prudent in their business to take any
chances that can be avoided.
no Won think new parties and new
bosses will continue unselfishly deyot-
ed to the people any longer than II
takes them to become old parties and
old bosses?
Are elections, national, state, or mu-
nicipal, struggles for principle, or con-
tests between bosses?
DO the bosses control the offices and
distribute the fat?
Are the offices distributed to the fit
test persons, or are they distributed as
rewards for past political services, and
paymentfor political services to Gomez
DO members of congress, of the state
legislature, or the city council, vote
with a single eye to the patriotic wis
dom of measure-or do they regard
their standing with the party" the
loss" the push" their obligations
for the campaign fund.-" their
swaps" and trades" with fellow
members? You tickle me, and I'll
tickle you"
Could the boss or the machine buy
the general army of voters as easily as
a compact, small body, such as leg
islature?
Could the boss or the machine con-
troll the people against simple, clear
cut proposition manifestly for the peo-
pes benefit?
Is this a country of popular self
government, or is it noti
If the people are not fit to govern
themselves by direct vote at the polls,
are they fit to vote at all?
Does the past history of legislatures,
city councils, or congress show In