The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-07-23
THE AU STRALAsIAN EXPERIMENT.

Advanced democracy at time supposed
to be embodied in the political laws and institutions
OF this country That idea has not been sustained
as time has gone by. For half century past
we have been obliged look outside of the United
States for the application of the advanced ideas
in governmental affairs. Occasionally state of our
own like Idaho Washington, would make an ex-
pertinent in advanced notions but really no one ever
felt at liberty to say whether the idea in practical
application a success or failure, Judging by
experience in these young and advanced states of
ours.
No American state has approached the Aus
talasian colonies of Britain in the application of ad
yanced notions of social and economic science
There they have put in practical operation such theo
ries the pensioning Of the old by the state the in
vestment of women with the right to vote the estab
lshment of the referendum the public ownership of
railroads, telegraphs and other public facilities and
other principles of the adoption of which only men
regarded outside the plane of responsible citizen
ship allow themselves to be the advocates in the
United States.
While it might still remain open question
whether these principles valuable or otherwise
in practical operation judged by the result in one or
more of the Australian colonies of Britain there will
soon be applied test from which the world cannot
readily get away. The several colonies mentioned
have decided that they will form a federal union
future is to determine whether a number of states
rich, prosperous and sef-sustaining can conduct
their affairs successfully such advanced basis
Americans will watch the experiment with the
deepest interest In many directions we have been
far behind British public opinion We have refused
for instance to entertain the proposition the en-
actment of an income tax law. We have refused de-
ternine by law how many hours day should cOnsti-
tute legal days work, except in very qualified
Jy1OO
any experiment in any such direction it has been the
result Of the pressure Of the sentiment of certain
classes on politicians. We have as rule with
stood all such notions. Except with reference to the
influence Of the trusts on Industrial and social
system, and with reference to the operation of that
other form Of patenalism represented by our tariff
legislation, still substantially adhere to the I'M
DERIVING principles Of the founders of the American
republic.
Day by day the pressure in the direction indi-
Gated has gone on without avail. We are conserva-
tive people, and not disposed lightly to en-
gage ourselves in governmental experiments of any
kind outside the regular of constitutional
landmarks Nor are we likely to embark ourselves
in the future in any of socalistc experiment.
The result of such tendencies in the Antpodes can
not, however be without a strong influence on our
future course If the new Australian confedelacy
is destined to prove the superiority Of such ideas in
Piitctcdl operation Tor the retirement Of the pub
lie we cannot long withstand the example Condi-
lions there and here in many respects the same
We have already copied their balOting system with
great advantage to ourselves in the direction of
purity in our politics. Whether we are ever destined
to embody in our system the advanced notions which
have found acceptance in Australasia will in great
measure depend the known result of them in
those lands. Meanwhile it is to be assumed that we
Will continue to do the business of government sub
stantialy on the lines laid down by the great men
who founded our American constitutional liberties.