The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-08-06


pure republicanism and economic JUS
tice," exclaimed a friend recently,
when the vastly rich corporations.
the political bosses and the partisan
machines OF both the great political
parties, and the daily press are work
ing in unison for the success of the
men who are satisfactory to the trusts
and monopolies?"
My reply was that the hope of dem
ocracy lay in meeting the new reac-
tionary and unrepublican conditions
with measures that would insure the
perpetuatiOn and practical operation
of the foundation principles underly-
ing truly republican government. In
other words, we are today confronted
by unrepubiican elements and infiu-
ences not formidable in the early days
Of the republic. Corporate wealth,
largely dependent upon special priv
ileges and seeking immunity from
laws enacted to curb its aggressions
against the people, and the autocratic
political boss manipulating the partj-
san machine represent influences in
political life that are Numerically OPP
posed to the republican ideal and the
Cry of government, and in practical
operation are constantly thwarting the
will Of the people and betraying tbs
interests of municipal, state, and ma
tional government while placing in po-
sitions Of power the Representatives of
leactionary political ideals and the
advocates of class interests.
If republican government is to be
preserved and the ideals of democracy
are to be maintained, it is clearly evil
dent that measures must be adopted
to meet the changed conditions
measures which in spirit conform to
the old democratic ideals, as SPLEEN
didly Illustrated in the New England
town-meeting, but which have been
further developed and perfected by tie
Swiss statesmen SO that they are
adapted TO adequately meet present
Gay needs.
With majority rule or the initiative
and referendum in active operation
political corruption and the plumber Of
municipal, state, and national govern
ment by private corporations operat-
ing public utilities, and of the people
by predatory bands enjoying monop
Giles, will be destroyed or reduced 70
a minimum.
Today we find the people everywhere
grooming under the oppression of the
trusts and monopolies, and vainly
pleading for substantial relief from
the national government, the state
legislatures, the departments of jus J
tice, apd the executive branches of
government Their petitions are al
most Systematically ignored or de-
lied because the political boss, the
partisan machine, and the daily press
are SO largely controlled by corporate
wealth. The ominous spectacle of a
so-called republic being dominated ~
leactionary and class interests is only
possible because the fundamentals
principles of democracy are being sys
tematically ignored. The reaction
airy, undemocratic, and essentially au-
tccratio influence in government is en-
tirely dependent upon the power to
prevent the operation of the funda
mental demands of republican or DEM
ocratic government. Whenever the
PEOPLE have the power to initiate and
veto legislation, the influence OF tha.
trinity OF darkness-the corporation,
the party boss and the partisan ma
chine-even though reinforced by the
daily press, is powerless. Switzerland
has thoroughly demonstrated this fact
but it is unnecessary to cross the At
iantic for proof. Recent cases in mu-
ricipal politics strikingly illustrate the
truth OF our contention The election
of Mayor Jones of Toledo on the petit
ton Of voters by an overwhelming ma
jority, with every daily paper in the
city arraigned against him and the
POLITICAL machines of the different par-
ties exerting all their power to defeat
him, reinforced as was the MAYORS op-
position to liberal contributions from
corporate wealth, is one of the most
re cent illustrations of faithful pub
lie servant who, having antagonize /
the undemocratic and reactionary in
FENCES in politics, overcame COM
hined opposition by an appeal direct
ly to the electorate.
The case to which | have so fire.
cuently referred in these pages. of
the victory of the citizens of Boston
over the street railway corporation
when the latter had succeeded in win
ming the support of the political ma
chimes and all the daily papers of Bos-