The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-03-08
ANOTHER NEW PARTY.

AS matter OF information to our read
ers, we copy the following account OF the
formation OF new reform party
Cincinnati, March AT today's ses-
sion OF the union reform party the re-
port from the committee on resolutions
was adopted. 1t declares that an expert
ence OF over hundred years has proven
that the system of legislation by repre-
septatiyes does not provide government
OF, by and for the people, and continues:
councils to the national congress, have
b%n controlled by corrupt influences.
Legislation has consequently been in the
interest OF the corrupt few and against
the interest OF the voiceless masses.
Under this system the people are dis
franchised on all matters OF legislation.
They are allowed to vote for men, but are
deMed the right to vote for measures.
The people are governed by laws which
they did not enact and cannot repeal.
AS the result of this system great
abuses have arisen and politics has be-
come d synonym for corruption.
We. therefore reserving to ourselves
the right to legislate for ourselves and
the ri ght to our individual opinions on all
questions of legislation, unite for the ac-
complishment of that end for the enfran-
cfnsement OF the American people and the
establishment OF government in which the
will 'of the people shall be supreme. And
we invite all persons who believe in the
principles OF liberty and the Declaration
OF independence to unite in support of
the following:
Direct legislation under the system
known as the initiative and referendum.
Under the first the people can compel
the submission to themselves of any de-
sired law when, if it receives a majority
OF the votes cast, it will be thereby en-
acted.
Under the referendum the people can
compel the submission to themselves of
any law which has been adopted by a
legislative body when if such law fails to
receive the majority OF votes cast it will
be thereby rejected.
The following permanent organization
was effected:
Chairman, R. S. Thompson. Spring
field, o.; secretary, Asa Taylor, Omaha,
Neb.; assistant secretary, T. J. Donnel
ly, Cincinnati
The committee nominated Edward
Evans, OF New York, for permanent
chairman, but he was engaged in draft
iiS pau III TIC pelIlldllCIlt VI SdlllLdllOIl
OF the party.
Over $1,000 was raised on the floor of
the convention for the national execu-
tive committee which was selected, as fol-
lows: r. S. Thomas, w. S. Seely. Ohio;
Edward Evans, New York; A. NJ Eich-
elberger. Maryland; J. NJ. Dunlop, In
diana: Sheridan Webster, Missouri; J.
G. White, Sturges, Mich; F. A. Malice,
Pennsylvania; Asa Taylor, Nebraska.
We have no doubt that while some of
the men who have melted this movement
rllayf:l,ave been actuated by sinister mo-
tives and simply desired to head off and
destroy the Peoples Party; nevertheless
some OF the leaders and most of the rank
and, file were animated by honorable pur-
poses.
We. hope wise counsels may prevail.
and that, IN 1900, steps may be taken to
bring >all these scattered elements OF re-
form together in one harmonious whole:
but this cannot be done by ignoring the
Peoples Party or plotting against its ex-
istence. A half dozen reform candidates
FOR" the presidency in 1000 would simply
make allhands ridiculous; and that's
what some OF them intend.
And, being ridiculous, they think it will
be an easy job to turn us over to Bryan,
and take their pay in lat offices. l. D.