Industrial freedom. [volume] (Edison, Wash.) 1898-1???, 1899-06-24
DIRECT LEGISLATION.

who belive reformers should adopt
such platform and concentrate
their efforts upon securing direct rule
bv the people, and would like to see
our efficient worker Bige Eddy and
Others who may share his present opin-
ion enlisted in this movement, desire
to give few reasons in favor OF our
positions through the columns otyour
widespread journal.
1. If we are to get socialism
through a socialist party we will have
to wait until the majority OF people
are ready to endorse all or nearly all
socialist demands because the average
voter will not vote for party long
as he is firmly opposed to single
plank in it's platform. On the other
hand, as the majority OF people are
ready for some socialistic measure to
dav. we can adopt them as soon as
we secure direct legislation and the
beneficial results of their enactment
will not only give the people a breath
ing spell but it will help more to pre-
pare the people for other soclallstic
measures than any theoretical argu-
ment we could produce. A one-plank
direct legislation platform does not
hinder ANYBODY from advocating any
number of principles a person bellves
in. The only difference is that with a
Direct Legislation one-plank plat
form the advocacy of the various leg
islative reforms is with the under
standing that upon the adoption of
direct legislation by popular vote
other measures, each separately, be
put to a vote of the citizens and en-
acted if endorsed by a majority,
while under indirect legislation it is
supposed that the demands of a party
be enacted upon victory of such party
without putting the demands to vote
of the people to find wether any or
all such demands are wanted by
majority.
2. Does it not look reasonable that
plutocracy could buy few socialists
in congress or legislatures easier than
all the socilists and other voters who
are ready to vote for government rail
WAYS, telegraph, telephone, express
etc. Has not plutocracy been buying
leaders of prominent labor organiza-
ton in the past? Must / mention a
dozen of them?
g. Over a million voters, mostly
in the eastern states, have ceased to
vote after seeing how representatives
break their promises.
Not many of those disguised reform
ers will vote for promises again but
they will vote for reforms presented
directly for passage under the initla-
tive.
4. With direct legislation adopted
in the various states the people will
enact ballot laws by which false coun-
ting of votes can be prevented. Unless
that is done there is no telling how
many voters would,have to be convert
ed to reform to win victory by ballot
laws recently passed i'll Ohio, Nebras-
ka, etc.
5. More pressure can be brought
to bare in favor of direct legislation
than upon any other reform, because
all voters belive they are intelligent
enough to vote directly upon laws
and most voters can see that repre-
sentativcs keep selling special privileg-
es to corporations and senatorship to
nillionaires.
6. Direct Legislation is the one
reform which plutocracy cannot sue
cessfully oppose openly Plutocracy
knows very well that through discus
sion of direct legislation would turn
an overwhelming majority of votes II
favor of this most just method of law
making.
1t has been stated in 'lndustria
Freedom that there was a good Direct
Legislation plank in the last fusion
platform vet the fusionists ofthe state
Washington did not win.
Of course they did not. The condi
dates tor office hammered away OF
the silver questiod instead of upot
direct legislation by which the silveI
question could be put to vote OF the
people and disposed of.
The averge candidate for office does
not care for direct legislation. III
knows that with this instrument thu
people would abolish usless offices
and reduce salaries OF Others. Witt
direct legislation as the only plank il
the platform speakers would have t
speak about it and explain it. AT tn
same time candidates could advocat
\ as many other needed reforms as the,
wished and show how with the initia
tive reforms now defeated by monop
sbly serving legislators and judge
A could be passed against the will O
i monopoly servants if desired by ma
\ iority ofvoters. Why should any part,
\ select laws for the people! Why no