The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-07-08
DIRECT LEGISLATION.

Compiled by H. w. Lawrence)
The Democratic national platform
favors direct legislation wherever prac-
ticable-" The great trouble has always
been to get political parties to acknowl-
edge that there are reforms necessary
ana wherever the minority has shown
that reforms are needed it has been met
Bile" --'' ~
Direct legislation has proven practical in
New zealand in settling labor strikes,
Wnere formerly they had riots and blood
shed between capital and labor, the same
tnat aTnlct our country at the present
time 1t has formed boards of concilia ton
dIiu compulsory arbitration. where both
parues are represented and their respec-
I'VE rights guarded 10 the extent that
lanor strikes have ceased and business
interests go on without interruption. II
u, ILis leaders OF the dominant political
parueS IN this nation were asked to set
lie the labor troubles in New Zealand s
plain common sense way, the reply would
De, II is not practical.
Direct legislation has said to the
wealthy class in Switzerland and New
zealand. VINO have large incomes, you
must pay your share Of taxation 10 sup
port the government through income and
inheritance taxes, and the result proved
prectlcaole and the rich continued TO live
there as before.
Direct legislation said to the large land
nOf0erS OF thousands OF acres You can
not monopolize all of this land, while there
are thousands OF families without homes
or land to sUbsist on. You can own a GER
tain amount of land and pay the regular
tax, but II you want to own more than
your share you must pay an Increased
taxation
The result has been that where a few
families We're living or large tracts Of
land, now thousands of people are living
IN prosperous homes, enriching them
selves and the government by the wealth
they have created.
Direct legislation made it possible for
IneSe same farmers and home seekers TO
borrow money of the government on easy
Terms and at low rate of interest to aid
them IN starting their new homes This,
IN our country, Is not considered prac-
ucable. but for the government TO issue
currency and loan it 10 the national banks
az one-haif OF l per cent and guarantee
the payment of the currency is prac-
ucable, and advocated as a sound fnan-
cial policy.
Direct legislation in New Zealand and
switzerland says TO the people: Rail
roads, telegraphs. telephones, gas. electric
utilities are public necessities and should
be owned and controlled by the people
that they may receive the benefits and
revenues from such sources" This has
proven practicable, and they serve the
peoples interests and contribute 10 their
happiness. Under our representative gov
eminent the political parties contend that
these measures are not practicable, and
private monOpolies. TO Cypress the people
With exorbitant taxation.
Direct legislation has proven that IL is
practicable for governments to provide
old age pensions for those persons who
have arrived at the age of 65 years. who
are without the means of support not as
an act OF charity. but as q right belonging
TO humanity, and to those who were al
ways good citizens, and when in the
vigor of life helped to create the wealth
of their country.
Direct legislation has made it possible
for the state to treat as its wards its
helpless waits and orphan children by
providing for their support and education
and having them reared under the in
fiuence of good homes that they may
be good citizens and not placed in orphan
asylums or allowed TO run on the streets
unprovided for and subject TO crimes
which ill the refOrmatOrieS and jailS OF
our representative system.
Direct legislation has demonstrated and
made it practical for governments 10 give
employment 10 idle labor at fair wages
on public works and needed improve
ments, and where labor is fully employed
new wealth is created to add blessings to
the community, crime is lessened, and
the patriotism and stability Of the people
assured. In our representative govern
ment this would be denounced as .'pa-
ternalism," and imprccticable, while al
give a few hundred thousand Office seek
I ers employment in office al fat salaries is
considered practicable, and an act of
wise and benefcent government
Direct legislation has made 1t practical
BILE for governments to so conduct the
/ economic conditions Of society that al
I the people may share in the bounteous
I gifts of nature, and the inventions of man
/ that are intended for the sustenance and
/ happiness Of humanity, and that govern
ment is imDracticable and inhuman thai
uses its power TO legislate and protect the
/ concentrated wealth OF the few at tbs
/ expense and detriment of the sufferins
masses
! Direct legislation, under present con
ditions, is the only power that viii fre'
I the people politically and financially, fol
I so long as concentrated wealth control.
1 the production and distribution OF tn,
/ things that the people must have, so Ions
will their necessities enslave them. anC
1 political liberty be a sham Direct legis
! lation. giving the people the right 10 vOt,
direct on specific economic questions, vii
/ loosen the shackels and give a new hirtl
/ of freedom to the people.
/ This nrapfirHNlp