The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-01-11
THE NEW SYSTEM.

THE NEW SYSTEM.
We can hardly realize the great trans
formation now going on through our
Initiative and Referendum system
adopted at Cincinnati, for the purpose
of establishing government ownership
of dangerous monopolies and national
greenbacks. This system revolutionizes
politics. Our party is the only one
demonstrating it's practicability. No
party on the whole globe but ours gives
to the humblest club member of the
most obscure precinct power equal to
that of the presidential candidate. Still.
even among ourselves we see every
stage of thought, showing this transit
ton from the old party caucus, conven-
ton, committee, with central party boss,
to the most extreme democracy, sweep
ing away everything but isolated clubs.
Friend Maben took a long step in ad-
vance Of old machine politics, but re-
tanned a few subcommittee. DR.. Fay
would remove even these, except imme
diately preceding elections, wishing to
give those positions then, as a reward
of merit to those workers having made
the best showing in their respective
counties. But C. J. Arntzen went still
farther, not allowing subcommittee
even then, wishing to place full au-
thority alone and permanently with
county chairmen, as chief and sole Or
ganizers, each exclusively for his own
county. According to Arntzen's plan
each county chairman is alone RESPONSE
BILE for every feature of the campaign in
his own county. None of the county
organizers can interfere with other
counties than their own or direct the
campaign at large. 1t naturally fol-
lows that if the campaign is successful
in each county it will be a success in
the whole state AS this plan was
unanimously adopted, Minnesota for us
will be divided into "a separate and in
dependent democracies, like the Con-
federation prior to 1887 If henceforth
any county fails in it's duty it has no one
to blame but itself This removal of
executive power from central sub-com-
mittees to the united body of county
chairmen is the unique feature of our
new system. 1t is a great experiment
in democracy. Will the work be con-
Quoted with energy, holy spirit of
emulation urging each county chairman
to surpass the others in raising funds,
increasing ub-membership, conduct
ing successful meetings, distributing
literature, making every preparation for
1900; as Mr.. ArntZen thinks, or will
each, relying on others, do nothing,
proving democracy to be impossible and
that the people will never move without
boss to push him? We will soon
know. This important feature was also
advanced in Mr.. SWANS plan. Most of
the other rules are a composite of those
of Messrs. Swain, Nelson, Maben, with
able comments by ]. B. Dukes, ma
tiOnal chairman and others, for the pur-
pose Of harmonizing our club system
Will Cuo pISSSuC pI lul1I ClSCIlOA laws.
So on this matter there will be nothing
left for our state legislature to do this
winter except to copy our referendum
system. Peter Max of St. Paul and DR..
Fay alone contended that it was safer
to avoid playing with the fire-even in
form-these primaries and conventions,
and avoid the whole danger, expense,
trouble and complicated rules thereby
occasioned, by simply going onto the
ballot again by petition.