The Advocate and news., 1898-06-08

KIND enough to invite contributions 10 ltS
columns upon the subject OF direct legtsla-
tiOn, | have deemed II an oppOrtune time
to add my mite to the prepOnderance OF
testimony in favor Of this great and tunda-
mental reform. The time has come In this
nation, as In all the nations OF the earth,
when the great body Of humankind must
take bold step forward. Existing tnsu-
tutlOns are Crumblng beneath the search
light OF truth. Right and Justice are alone
sacred to the democracy or earth. En-
trenChed wrong is no longer sacred be-
cause OF It's antiquity. We are living In an
age of progress. The great common people
are no longer willing to accept the shadow
for the substance. When representative
government was founded but little more
than a century ago, our forefathers be-
leVed that they had indeed founded q
government i'm which the democracy of
the people would find ready expression.
But Washington and Jefferson were deal
ing with a people very close to nature.
They were dealing with new world un-
developed and uneXplOred. They were not
dealing with a nation OF milliOnaireS ana
wage slaves The age I'm which they and
their compatrlOts builded was one In which
manhood was classed above money. The
debauching, demoralizing influence of enor-
nous self interest did not enter into the
consideration of public affairs. The sy-
Cophantic, cringing, terrified corporation
employee did not exist. The political boss,
the dictator, the lobbyist, and the time
server were unknown. Every man was the
boss OF his own political conscience. That
men would be elected to office for any
other purpose than to serve the public
interest was inconceivable to our patri--
Otic fOrefatheTs. That public office would
be bought and sold, that matters Of public
concern would become a traffic, and that
the fountain-head of freedom and justice
would be poisoned, was inconceivable to
the minds of the founders Of this republic.
But all these things have come to pass
The interests of money and monopoly are
to-day more powerful than the will Of the
people as expressed In representative gov
eminent. Our people, blinded by a par
tisan and subsidized press, become party
idolaters. They vote for that which they
do not want for fear of offending their
political prejudice. Politicians falsely ad-
VOcate that which they do not believe in
order to win popular favor. II elected to
office they betray their constituency and
then hide behind technical demagoguery
to save themselves from the wrath of an
outraged public conscience. This thing
has gone on and on until our people are
heartsick and soul weary. Millions of men
no longer exercise the right of franchise,
once the proud shlbbOleth Of the freeman
and the patriot The despondent cry OF
whats the use?' Is heard on every
hand. 1t is the death knell of the republic.
Unless the public mind can be aroused to
action; unless some avenue OF escape can
be offered the people Of this nation from
the sea of corruption and rottenness Incl
dent to the rule Of the bOnholders and
private monopOlists, then indeed will this
ndLlOn nave De6H AOuuueu III vain, anu dh
the lessons of liberty lost.
1t Is because l believe that this avenue Is
offered, and that the public conscience will
through 1t come to the rescue Of the lib
critics. Of our people; that advocate direct
Legislation. IT Is the most democratic Of
all reforms. 1t recognizes that from the
people all social power Is derived, and in
their hands 1t places the right to propose
measures for the relief of the oppressed,
and to veto the legislation Of the Oppressor.
For the benefit of those who are unac-
quainted with the principles of the initia-
tive and referendum in detail, otherwise
known as direct legislation, l would sug-
gest that for direct legislation in the State
we should provide that upon petition Of
per cent. OF the voters Of the State any
measure which had been passed by the
Legislature shall be submitted to the people
for approval, and IL the measure receives
a majority Of all votes cast, 1t shall be the
law of the State, the courts and the con-
stitutiOn to the contrary notwithstanding.
1t should be further provided that IL Leg
islature fail or refuse to enact law de-
manded upon petition Of per cent Of the
voting population, the Secretary Of State
and the Attorney General shall prepare a
bill to the effect desired and submit 1t to
the people, and If the measure shall receive
a majority of all votes cast for or against
1t 1t shall then be the law, the Legisla
ture, the constitution and the courts to
the contrary Notwithstanding.
Direct legislation would be the greatest
educational factor ever introduced in this
nation. We would vote upon measures and
not upon men. 1t would destroy the idol
airy Of party and effectually and forever
end the pernicious influence Of the lobby
ist in the councils Of our State and nation.
The peoples interest would be aroused in
matters of public concern. Men would be
elected to Office because Of their capacity
and executive ability and not because OF
some private interest to serve. Until this
great principle of democracy finds express
sion upon the statute books of the State
and nation, and it's benign influence takes
hold upon the public mind, we must expect
no permanent reform in governmental af-
fairs.
Our forefathers were as wise, but no
wiser, than the people of to-day, and they
were certainly not so widely informed.
The constitutions which they framed are
out of date, and the ends which were in
tended to be served have been defeated.
Thus, right which had been torn from
tle 1n Dloouy grasp Oh Lhe oppressor OF nun