The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-10-15

pushing, as also is considerable por-
ton of organized farmers, and by next
year al the oranges will be at work.
Let the peoples party join hands. Sue
cess viii come at once anu with al
most no exertion-the line of least re-
sistance has been found. The right
to majority rule has long been an
established principle, all that Is re-
Quired is that organized labor. organ
tied farmers and the peoples party
shall question the legislative candi-
dates as to whether, If elected, they
will vote to make this principle effec-
tive. Candidates dare not refuse, and
when elected will carry out their writ
ten agreements. Experience shows
that these personal pledges are inn
measurably more effective than
vague and indefinite party platform.
The above program fccr. securing securing the
liberty of the American people, and
for showing to the entire world an
easy and quick road from plutocracy to
a peoples rule, is the result OF the
combined action of many minds, and
it is hoped that every populist in our
broad land will see to it that imme-
date action is taken in his own dis
trict, and will help to spread the news.
One socialist party paper, at least, is
claiming that the papers of the peo-
pies party must go over to the So
cialist organization or cease publica-
ton. We predict, however, that UNI
der the Kentucky program there will
be rapid growth OF populist circu-
lation, with full-fedged success, po-
litically, in next years campaign.
Yours for the peoples rule,
GEO. H. SHELLEY,
Director Of Department Of Represen-
tative Government, Bureau of Eco
nomic Research: Chairman Of Ma
tional Federation for Majority Rule;
Member of Populist National Com
mittee.
The foregoing is the gist of the re-
Gently developed facts in the science
of Z representative government and
practical politics that are adapted to
third party action, writes Mr. SHIRLEY.
And he adds: II have been in corre-
spondence with most of the members
of the Denver conference, and, with
only a few exceptions, there is more
or less misunderstanding as to some
part of the proposed line of action. In
the first place observe that a transfer
of the final power from the political
party to the people abolishes party
government by establishing the SOW
ereignty of the people. To bring about
this change is the mission of the peo-
pies party. 1t is not working for a
I continuance of the rule of any politi-
cal party. Its object is to terminate
such a system-terminate autocratic
government.
When this is recognized all else
should be clear: The pledging of re-
putable candidates for the legislature
to vote to submit a constitutional
amendment is all that is required. And
this can be accomplished with almost
no effort. In national affairs it is
rules of procedure that should be
worked for. The rules are not asked
for in state affairs because it is cas-
Ter to get the submission of an
amendment to the constitution. But
the federal constitution is so difficult
to change, and the need for immediate
legislation in national Affairs is so
pressing that it is considered best to
push for rules of procedure, to be fol-
lowed at some later day by an amend
ment of the federal constitution. In
city campaigns, too, the rules of pro-
cedure should be amended. Self
emancipation Is possible for cities and
easy to secure.
with the establishment Of di-
rect initiative in eight or ten per cent
Of the voters there is opened an aven-
no for the immediate securing of d.
rect nominations, proportional repre-
Sentation, and such other improve
ments in the system of government as
the progressive workers may deem
desirable But these changes in state
laws will doubtless come without us
ing the direct initiative.
In national affairs, however, there
: is urgent need for the direct initiative.
1t will be some time before the senate
can be constituted 50 as to frame and
pass the required legislation except by
instructions. Let us plan to instruct
the senators to install the rules of pro-
cedure, which will contain a provision
whereby the voters may instruct at