The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-02
NEW POLITICAL PARTY
HAVEN OF REFUGE FOR ADVOCATES
OF ALL KINDS OF IsMs."
People Who Believe i'm the Initiative
Referendum system Welcome. but
No ProhibitiOnists int

CINCINNATI, March. IA new political
party is TO be organized here this week.
The general conference began a session OF
two days Mt the odd Fellows Auditorium
to-day. The new national organization is to
be called the Union Reform party. and it
will seek to amalgamate the Silver Repub-
licans. the POpulists, the Social Labor party
and the Liberal party, in fact all of the
minor parties except the Prohibitionists. III
response to the call sent out by Chairman
r. s. Thompson and Secretary NJ. y. Neff
there were seventeen States represented in
the national conference. No credentials
were required, as all who prefer the referen-
dunn principles Of direct legislation were adj
mitted to the ground floor of the audi
forum. The promoters Of the proposed
amalgamation hope to have their party or
ganization so perfected as TO become a fac
tor in the presidential contest next year.
The conference was called TO order by
Chairman r. S. Thompson, OF the Ohio COM
mittee. who read the call and invited all
those in favor of the initiative and referen-
dunn principles to seats in the convention.
The following temporary organization was
then reported and adopted: Chairman, A.
G.. Eichelberger. Baltimore; secretary, CT.
H.. V~incennes. Ind; assistant
StCIttdTSs deOTSt H.. CHlIt, AiDduys ~. i.
At the afternoon session the following re-
port from the committee on resolutions was
adopted: =.
the entire law-making power in representa-
tives. The people eject these representatives.,
experience of over a hundred years in the
practical operation of this system has
proved that il does not provide a govern
ment Of. by and for the people. Representa-
tives cannot know certainly the will of their
constituents. and even where that will has
been clearly manifested it has been cOntin-
ually disregarded.
Legislative bodies. from municipal coun-
ellis to the national Congress have been
controlled by corrupt influences; Legisla-
ton has consequently been in the interest
OF the corrupt few and against the interest
OF the voiceless masses. Under this sys-
tenn the people are disfranchised on all mat
tiers of legislation. They are allowed 10
vote for men but are denied the right to
vote for measures. The people are governed
by laws which they did not enact and which
they cannot repeal. As a result of this sys-
tenn great abuses have arisen and politics
has become a synonym for corruption. The
people have seen these abuses, but. being
d1sfranchised on all Legislative questions.
have been unable TO provide a remedy. They
have become divided into party factions,
contending with each other in regard to the
legislation needed. They lave overlooked
the fact that under our system of govern
legislation which they desire nor to prevent
legislation TO which they are opposed.
In search for relief the people have
turned from one party TO another and have
organized new parties without number. But
all such efforts have been useless and must
continue so TO be as long as the people are
DISTINGUISHED. They must be invested with
the power To make their own laws before
they can have laws made i'm their own inter-
est. SO long as the people have no voice In
legislation IL Is useless for them 10 contend
among themselves regarding the legislation
they need. but cannot enact. That we may
nave n government conducted i'm the interest
or the people and which will provide for the
peaceful prosperity. morality and happiness
or the entire Nation. we must have a gov
eminent which is In fact of the people,. by
the people and for the people, and in which
the people shall rule.
We therefore, reserving TO ourselves the
right TO legislate for ourselves and the right
To our Individual opinions on all questions
or legislation. unite for the ACCOMPLISHMENT
or that and for the acknowledgements of the
American people. and the establishment of
pie shall be supreme. And we invite ali per
sons 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 referendum Under the initIatiye
the people can compel the submission 10
themselves OF any desired law. when. IL il
receives "A majority Of the votes cast. II will
be thereby enacted 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