The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-30

In tho Air.
Populists and "nonpartisans" have to
descend from glittering generalities ana
put their propositions into plain, every
day English. This viii be evident
enough to any one who reads the decla-
ration of principles" on which GER
tain representatives of these bodies have
agreed. Instead of standing on q plat
form they are making painful effort
to support themselves by treading the
air.
Their first article Of faith Is the initia-
tive and referendum. Everything Ii to
be settled by direct vote. This is revo-
lutionary and impracticable. 1t Is un-
American. because our whole govern
ment IL representative democracy. 1t
is not practical. because no human
agency could bring the people out to
perpetually recurring elections. 1t is
hard enough now to get the voter to
register and vote once or twice a year.
Make IT a monthly or weekly occurrence
and 1t would be impossible. All our
affairs, including the most important
charter changes, would be managed by
q. little knot Of men who made politics
q. business for their own profit. Good
government under such a system in
the United States IL an absolute impos-
sibility. And, by the way, we notice
that these gentlemen do not proposesto
submit themselves to direct vote Of
their own parties. They call for con-
ventions in the old way, by the dele
gate system. which they wish to deny
to the people.
An honest enforcement Of the law il
what all good citizens Of all parties de-
sire. There is nothing startling in that.
Opposition to the pending street rail-
way franchise means an attack upon
the best interests Of the city for the
sake of theory that cannot. for many
years to come. il ever, be anything
more than theory. The agreement
on the street railway question means
extensions and improvements immedi-
ately. fares as low as anywhere in the
country, universal transfers and a big
cash revenue to the city treasury These
are considerations Of moment to the
taxpayer and the workingman. The
people are asked to refuse this In order
that our present disadvantages may be
continued indefinitely. For we have
seen that the shortest franchises have
nearly fifteen years yet to run, and that
IL they could be forfeited the city would
be wholly powerless to take over con-
troll of the lines financially or give to
the public any service whatever. The
public is asked to surrender these ben
efts and assure the permanence of these
inconvenience and injuries for the sake
Of declaring fidelity to an abstraction
known as municipal ownership"
1T can be only for the purpose Of fool
ing the voter who knows no better that
an Endorsement of city lighting plant
is added. That is not a part Of any
future platform. because 1t is something
already practically accomplished. The
completion of the new water system
will give an opportunity to secure power
enough to supply the entire city light
ing service. and it is believed that there
will be a surplus for sale to private
consumers. This is not, therefore, an
issue between parties in any sense
.simmered down, then, the. platform
which the agitators submit amounts to
nothing but an Endorsement Of two
theories; one the initiative and referen-
dunn, the other municipal ownership
ana operation Of street railways. The
former is absolutely evil in itself. and
should not have the countenance Of any
man who believes in American instl-
buttons. The other we believe to be bad
In the abstract; but whether 1t is bad or
good 1t Is as impossible of present realt-
sation as the millennium. All that its