The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1903-06-27
LABOR COLUMN.
Devoted to the Interests Of the Laborer
H. {. BRAGG. Editor.
II. {. BRAGG, Editor.


erned by representatives elected
for period of two years, ana
during their term of office, they,
instead of beng our serVents, are
our absolute masters. The city
counsel has the legal right TO
PASS and enforce an ordinance IN
opposition to the desire OF every
elector of the ciry; and It's mem
bers have the power to refuse to
legislate, even if every e!ectoI
prayed for It. The people have
absolutely 10 redress during an
incum bent's term of office. Even
at its expiration, through machina
tions and cliques, aided frequent
ly by the influence OF employees
and the money of wealthy polltl-
clans and individuals, a majority |
of the same offending council or
Others of the same political ring,
may be returned to Office. And
this, despite the fact that they
represent but q fraction of tn
city's total vote, and that they
may have repeatedly legislated
against the best interests of our
citizens
Representative government does
not represent the will of the PEG
pie. For instance: a believer IN
a protective tariff, free silver and
an income tax-where can he
fluid representative to voice his
wishes! He therefore picks out
that which he believes will be the
most important, and votes for the
man, who will probably represent
him on that one matter only, and
will misrepresent him on the other
two. But if A had the privilege
Of voting for measures as well as
men: then he would be an active,
component part of true democ
racy, and it would make no diff
erence to him whether bis repre-
sentative believed in any of his
principles.
From It's very nature, represen-
tation can only roughly approx
mate the wishes of the community.
Only few great interests can
thus be d determined. Where many
issues are before the people, j,
breaks down completely Repre-
sentation fails because of tue
weakness of human nature, and
the concentration Of corruption
Elected representatives owe their
nominations to the machine and
it's boss, and so they render first,
allegiance to him, and not to the
people.
What an absurd proposition for
an intelligent community, to place
office holders, during their term of
Office, beyond the control of the
people they are supposed TO serve.
Would not the owners of a large
manufacturing concern be con
sidered actual prom oters of dis
honesty, should they appoint for a
definite period of years, their
officials without reserving the
power to interfere with the actions
of these officials: reserving only
the right to reappoint them, at the
end of that respective terms of
office?
Under Direct Legislation, the
idemocrat who favored high tariff,
could vote for his party candidate,
AMI yet vote his conviction on
that point; and republican who
favored free trade could vote his
party candidates and yet cast his
vote in favor of free trade. At
present one has to swallow all the
planks put up by the politicians,
whether he likes them or not, or
fly to the other alternative of vo-
ting for other measures, by voting
for other parties, with things in
them he does not like.
There are yet many things IN
favor of Direct Legislation but
as the anne of space which /
am allow IS almost used up. ]
Ishall conclude this article by
stating what Direct Legislation
will do and in my future articles.
[ shall try to prove my statements.
Direct Legislation will simplify
1flaws.
al twill purify the ballot.