The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-03-15

pie, because it was republican to so vote:
God only knows when the time will come
that men won't follow their leaders to
their own destruction But lest you might
think that l am opposed to direct legis-
lation through the initiative and refer
endum, l will say was in the state con-
vention of the Peoples Party in Illinois
when it was unanimously adopted by the
convention in 1892
l believe it truly democratic, and will
tend to the rapid education OF the people
on important issues, and that it will en-
able the people sooner to establish a gov
eminent OF the people, by the people and
for the people, if they ever do. But to
attempt to build Reform party on the
single issue OF direct legislation seems to
ME preposterous. However, feel kindly
toward all reform movements and only
wish that your view of direct legislation
as advocated on the last page OF N. N.
E could or would be realization. The
more parties organized among the OPP
ponents OF plutocracy the more it di-
vldes the reform forces, and the better it
suits monopoly. My contention is that
you cannot get refOrmers to abondon the
great principles of Peoples party as
promulgated i'll the Omaha platform.
You say platforms amount to nothing"
Every important law written in the Unit
ed States statutes has been written first
in political platforms.
In coming into the Union Reform par
ty you say no man need to discard any
OF his political principles. Reform par
ties or reform party must be made, by
coming to it OF the present adherents
OF the Democratic and Republican par
ties. The state Democratic convention of
Illinois migrated in their platform the
initiative and referendum Suppose the
whole Democratic party would come into
the Reform party, and SO strengthen the
Union Reform party as to make it vic
torlous. What would you have but the
Democratic party with the name Union
Reform party; you would have adopted
direct legislation and got all you asked
What about money, land and transporta-
ton? Would you expect to get those re-
forms, and how? | prefer to act with a
reform party OF we'll defined principles
on all the important issues confronting
us; and when Democrat or a Repub-
llcan comes into the party, | want him
to leave his Republicansm and Democ-
raCy IN the party from which he comes
Candidly and respectfully submitted.
William Hess
Milton, ILL.,, Feb. l.,
Mr., Hess tells the truth The estab-
llshment of the 1native and Referendum
is not going to destroy either OF the par
ties; they will be just as active as ever
The force now put forth to control cleo
tons, in the interests OF candidates, will
then be put forth to control elections in
the interest of proposed laws. There will
be the same marching and counter
ching; the same bands and banners; the
same string OF speakers at $40 day; the
same sophistries and the same newspa-
pers; the same lies and briberies; the
same cunning and the same rascaites,
which now constitute the basis OF self
government in this great free country.
And whichever way the election goes it
will constitute the triumph of one or
other OF these parties
The initiative and Referendum are all
right, but there must stand behind them
great political party, representing cor
rect principles OF government; or else
they will amount to nothing for the peo-
pie. ID.