The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-09-21

| aver Asue Lure Ayer SoHiatone
without opposition. Whatever may
have been the reasons which secured
the adoption of the present plan, a
| century ago, new conditions have made
| 1t imperative that the people be permit
| ted to speak directly in the selection OF
| their representatives in the senate.
A senator is no less the representative
of the state because he receives his
| commission from the people themselves,
rather than from the members of the
state legislature. If voter Is compe-
tent to vote for member of congress,
for state officers, and for president, he
Is competent to choose his representa-
tive in the senate. A system which
makes the senator responsible for his
selection 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
piled to the more important questions
It rests upon the sound theory that
the people can be trusted, and that the
more responsible the government is to
the will of the people, the more free
1t will be from misuse and abuse.
LABOR QUESTION.
Several planks of the labor platform
are devoted to questions in which the
laboring classes have an immediate In
terest, but which more remotely affect
our entire population. While what Is
generally known as government by
injunction is at present directed chiefly
against the employees Of corporations,
when there is a disagreement between
them and their employer, it involves
principle which concerns every one.
The purpose of the injunction in such
cases is to substitute trial by judge for
trial by jury, and is a covert blow at
the jury system. The abolition of
government by injunction is as neces-
sary for the protection of the reputation
of the court as 1t is for the security of
the citizen. Blackstone, in defending
trial by jury, says:
"The impartial administration of JUS
tice, which secures both our persons and
our properties, is the great end Of civil
society, but II that be entrusted entirely
to the magistracy, a select body Of men,
and those selected by the prince such as
enjoy the highest offices of the state,
their decisions in spite of their natural
integrity, will have frequently an in
voluntary bias toward those of their
own rank and dignity. 1t is not to be
expected from human nature that the
few should be always attentive to the
interests and good Of the many
II the criminal laws are not sufficient
for the protection Of property, they car
be made more severe, but a citizer
charged with crime must have his case
tried before jury Of his peers.
THE BLACKLIST.
The blacklist, as now employed ir
some places, enables the employer tt
place the employe under practica
duress, for the skilled laborer loses hi
independence when the employers car
not only discharge him, but prevent hi
securing any similar employment. Th'
blacklist enables employers to secure
by mutual agreement, that control owe
the ge-earners which private mon
opoly exercises without contract.
| AhBlIRAIlON.
The platform renews the demand 70
arbitration between corporations ant
their employers. No one who has oh
served the friction which arises bctweel
great corporations and their numerou
employees can doubt the wisdom Of es
tablishing an impartial court for tn
just and equitable settlement Of dis
putes.
The demand for arbitration ought I
be supported as heartily sthe public
which suffers inconvenience because O
strikes and lockouts, and by the EN-
ployers themselves, as by the emEloye!
The establishment of arbitration Wi
insure friendly relations between labo
and capital, and render obsolete tn
growing practice of calling In the arm
to settle labor troubles.
i DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.
I cannot too strongly emphasize tn
Importance Of the platform recon
mendation OF the establishment of
department Of labor. with a member q
the cabinet at It's head. When we re
member how important position tn
!, laborer fills In our economic, social an
political fabric. II Ii hard to conceiv
Of valid objection being made to thl
recognition Of his services.
Agriculture 10 already represented
: the presidents oficial household; III