The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1900-09-25

the past, to the dangerous doctrine
of perpetual bonds.
ELECTION OF SENATORS BY THE PEOPLE
The demand for a Constitutional
amendment providing for the cleo
ton of Senators by direct vote of the
people, appears for the first time in a,
Democratic National platform, but a
resolution proposing such an amend
ment, has three times passed the
House Of Representatives, and that,
too, practically without opposition.
Whatever may have been the reasons
which secured the adoption of the
present plan, a century ago, new con
ditiOns have made it imperative that
the people be permitted to speak
directly in the selection of their rep
resentative in the Senate. A Senator
is no less the representative of the
State because he receives his commits
sion from the people themselves,
rather than from the members of the
State legislature. If a voter is com
petent to vote for a member of Con-
gress, for State officers and for Presi-
dent, he is competent to- choose his
representative in the Senate. A sys
tenn which makes the Senator respOn-
sible for his election to the people, as
a whole, and amenable to them if he
misrepresents them, must commend
itself to those who have confidence
in the intelligence and patriotism of
the masses.
DIRECT LEGISLATION.
The platform indOrses the principle
of direct legislation. This is already
applied to the more important ques-
tions in Nation, State and city. It
rests upon the sound theory that the
people can be trusted, and that the
more responsive the government is
to the will of the people, the more
free it will be from misuse and abuse.
G TAX.
10y l1ldu NCI UC11OC U1C 111CO11C UoA
plank agreed upon by the Resolu-
tions Committee was omitted from
the platform as read and adopted.
The subject, however, is covered by
the reaffirmatiOn of the Chicago
platform, and [ take this occasion to
reassert my belief in the principle
which underlies the income tax.
Congress should have power to levy
and collect an income tax whenever
necessary, and an amendment to the
Federal Constitution specifically con-
fcrring such authority ought to be
supported by even those who think
the tax unnecessary at this time. In
the hour of danger the government
can draft the citizen it ought to be
able to draft the p0cketbOOk as well.
Unless money is more precious than
blood, we cannot afford to give
greater protection to the incomes of
the rich than to the lives Of the poor.
IMPERIALISM.
The subjects, however, treated in
this letter, important Is each may
seem in itself, do not press so i'm
peratively for solution as the ques-
ton which the platform declares to
be the paramount issue in this cam
paign. Whether we shall adhere to
or abandon those ideas of govern
ment which have distinguished this
nation from other nations and given
to its history it's peculiar charm and
value, is a question the settlement Of
which cannot be delayed. No other
question can approach it in import
ance; no other question demands
such immediate consideration. It is
easier to lose a reputation than to
establish one. and this nation would
find it a long and labOriOuS task to
regain it's proud position among the
nations if, under the stress of temp
tatiOn, it should r~epudiate the self
evident truths proclaimed by
heroic ancestors and sacredly treas
ured during a Career unparalleled in
the annals of time. When the doc
trine that the people are the only
source Of power is made secure from
further attack we a safely proceed