Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-08-12

n0PuDltC8uDp EhUh ACthuB WssnAh
Their Own Lines, Il o Grand Reform.
The following are Gen. James B.
Viewers ideas as to the effect Of the
triple alliance. upon the power Of plu-
tocracy to rule through political ma
chimes:
II wish to call special attention to
an important feature in political evo-
luton which is now taking definite
shape in our republic. 1t is one Of the
most valuable gifts which has fallen
Into our lap since free government was
achieved by our fathers. Up to the
present time 1t has not attracted the
attention which 1t deserves. 1t Is des-
tined to become the great focal point
of political and social interest and Its
Office is to liberate society from the
tyranny and the crimes Of party. We
have all witnessed in recent years, and
indeed within the past few weeks, the
wisdom Of that provision Of our federal
Constitution which lodges the powers
Of government in three coordinate
branches-the legislative, the executive
and the judicial. They act as checks
upon each other. We all recognize In
this distribution Of power valuable
safeguard against the hasty action and
the infidelity Of lawmakers and rulers.
We would not for a moment consent to
the concentration of all federal author
ity in any one Of these departments.
For the first time in the history OF the
republic we now have a national triple
alliance among whose members Is dis
tributed the power which otherwise
would be exercised by single party.
esteem 1t to be one Of the most i'm
portant as we'll as one Of the most ad-
vanced steps in political reformation
which this country has witnessed. We
have all mourned over and lamented
the corruption and the punic faith of
parties and party leaders, and have
asked, almost in despair, how are we
ever to be relieved from this danger?
Will our party, If installed in power,
do any better? While We are lament
ing and standing aghast in the pres
ence of this giant evil, a new force
made it's appearance. 1t is the alliance
of three independent but kindred Or
PLANTATIONS, each powerless within it.
self, for the sole purpose OF forwarding
certain well-defined reforms In govern
ment. and not for the purpose OF build
ing I'D and placing in power political
party. On the contrary 1t Is to liberate
the people and restore to them their
right to govern themselves These al
lies have stopped building party, and
have invited the people to exercise
their God-given right of self-govern-
ment- It is a mere voluntary alliance,
and each Of the parties to 1t Is check
upon the others. Here we have at once
the destruction Of the machine and an
absolute guaranty Of the performance
j6f anti-eiection promises. If the ad-
m,nistration chosen by the allied forces
should fall to keep the pledges made
tn the people, the alliance would be IN
stantIv dissolved and the administra-
tion left helpless. This is Infinitely pre-
ferable to the rule of single party,
bowever much 1t may be pledged to
reform. Again, having accomplished
o.e reform, II it should refuse to go
forward and take up the other impor-
tant and cognate questions, the alliance
would fall to pieces at once. Good men
ran come into such an organization
With perfect safety, knowing that they
nil, he absolutely free from party ty-
,ranny. and knowing further that they
have ample security that there will be
a steady forward movement for good.
This alliance Is the death kneil to the
machine in politics, and 1t is the en-
tbronement of the people instead OF
marty TO their rightful place in human
government. Again, it is as perfect
sa,eeuard against rash and imprudent
legislation as it is possible for human
ingenuity to invent. Experience has
nroyen that men often need protection
from their own rashness and bad judg-
ment. We have this security In a per-
feet degree in this three-fold associa-
zion of parties. The organization will
only be strong when united. Separated
they will be utterly powerless. I re-
gard this new development as the great
political factor Of the present day, and
n stands at the dawn Of the new CEN
/. tury holding in its hand proclama-
tion of emancipation from the thral-
dom and bloody reign of party over the
neople. II is like new breath Of free