The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-09-24
Establishment Of the Peoples Role

To the officers and members OF the
peoples party.
Fellow Workers:
What is the duty of the peoples party
The Denver conference gave an opinion
which the Nebraska populist convention
did not approve. Honest differences,
such as these, help to mark out win
ming program, for by eliminating the
points of difference, there is reached, we
believe, the strongest possible plan of
campaign. The basis of agreement,
which every populist assents to is the
following passage in tho Denver address:
"As an open door for all economic re-
form, we urge the rule of the people
through the optional referendum and in
itiative."
Here is clear statement that what
ever legislation the people want will
come when they take to themselves =
veto power and q direct initiative, there
by terminating party government with
its machine rule and boss politics. The
question is, how can the peoples party
do the most to wipe out party govern
ment-transfsr to the people the final
power?
The answer is found in tho newly de-
veloped system of questioning candi-
dates as to peoples rule majority rule,)
plus the nomination of candidates wher-
ever both the old line parties refuse to
pledge. This system has been adopted
by the recent joint state convention Of
Kentucky populists and the united labor
party of Kentucky. Two years ago a
less practicable system was operated
with success by the Kentucky populists.
The developments of these two branches
Of third party tactics marks an improve
ment in political methods as far-reach-
ing as anything that the mind can con.
ceiVe. First, let US trace the develop
ment of questioning candidates as to the
peoples rule in place of machine rule.
PART I
DEVELOPMENT OF QUESTIONING CANDI-
DATES
For years the political machine has
been growing in strength. This has
called for many remedies, some of which,
such as the secret ballot, have helped,
but these checks have been more than
offset by other developments. The re-
suit has been that in some cities and
states practically the entire legislative
power has become centered in one man
the boss In practically all the other
states, and in the nation, it is in a few
men-the ring.
This is the result of our system of gov
ernment-party government.
The ring and the boss are not confined
to one of the parties. The organization
in both the leading parties is developed
to where the power is centralized very
largely. In each county and state few
men hold the reins.
And usually their living is secured
from the power thus exercised. Even
when party is seemingly out of power
in community the wires are so arranged
that the dictator in the minority party
usually secures a good living. Boss
methods have become known. In New
York state, for example, Boss Croker
ruled the city, while Boss Platt ruled
the state. In Chicago the republican
machine has usually controlled the
county, the democratic machine the
city. We, however, should bear no NAL
ice, for it is simply the inevitable result
OF our governmental system. 1t is we
who control the door to bossdom. Our
efforts should be directed to effecting
the necessary changes. AS to what
these changes should be is pretty fully
known. Among them is direct nomina.
tions, peoples veto, and direct initia-
tive. But these are not all that is needed.
The decision as to what issues should
come up in a campaign should not be
left entirely to the men who are up for
office. The organizations of business
men, farmers and wage-earners, knowing
as they do, what their interests demand,
should insist that the really dominant
issues be considered. This can be
achieved by questioning candidates.
Experience demonstrates its practica-
biity.
QUESTIONING CANDIDATES A sUCCEss
Ten years ago some Of the workers for
temperance operated through third
party, while others worked through the
leading parties, but without any sepa-
rate organization. In the words OF Cen
eral Superintendent Russeltof the Amer
ican Anti-Saloon league, in his annual
report:
'.In the past we have allow the liquor inter.
est to organize the voters Of every class, select