The independent., 1903-04-30


the questioning of candidates in the
several states, and providing that the
system shall be used to secure the
referendum and initiative in national
affairs. This resolution was also
adopted unanimously. ...
AT the annual session of the Wash
ington state grange, June go OF last
year, the master of the state organ1-
zation was instructed "to appoint
grange committee in each county
where there is an organized grange.
The duties of said committee shall be
to interview the various legislative
candidates and to persuade them TO
use their best efforts If elected to the
legislature to secure the passage OF
bill to amend the state constitution
providing for direct legislation, which
shall be submitted to the people, as
required by the state constitution.
Doubtless there are many other in
stances of a systematic questioning OF
candidates in this country. Recent
Investigations of political progress in
New Zealand by Prof. Parsons, show
that much of the success there has
been due to questioning candidates.
Profiting by the past years expert
ence the system is being improved
and extended. The county and state
conventions of all the parties will be
notified of the demand for the sub
mission of a constitutional amend
ment. The questioning of nominees
will be completed much earlier in the
campaign. The details as to majority
rule amendments will be fully speci-
fed by enumerating some of the de-
tails and for the balance reference will
be made to the South Dakota system
and that of federal Switzerland. Mass
meetings have been successful in Chi
cago, and will be used freely, if neces-
sary. At the meetings held by candi-
dates they should be questioned oral
ly, and repeatedly. In this way they
will publicly commit themselves. Cit
les can send committees to the legis-
lature, as Chicago is doing.
Instead of a formal federation for
majority rule, local leagues of the
unorganized are being formed, leav-
ing organized labor, organized farm
ers, and organized business men each
to do. their own questioning and con-
vention work, or do it through joint
majority rule committee. 70 stim-
ulate action in these organizations is
one of the chief functions of the local
leagues. A single individual, by u.s.
ing it's Ietter-head, can stimulate ac-
tion in the local grange, trade union,
and chamber OF commerce.; can ques-
tion candidates. call meetings, write
for the press, and take such other ac-
tion as win insure the election Of
nominees who are. pledged to major
ity rule in place of rule by the few
If all the trustworthy candidates in q
district who have a likelihood Of be-
ing elected pledge themselves to the
improved system, they may be ques-
toned on other issues until there is
reached a vital question upon which
they differ. Thus the league can
bring about a live campaign and then
do its best for the side if favors.
In subsequent campaigns the work
can be continued by taking up issue
after issue. The league is to be a
pace-making organization. A perma-
nent institution, just as nominating
organizations are permanent. The
men who run the party machines are
interested in making a living from
their profession, therefore the nom
partisan organizations should deter
mine the issues. and will do so. Con-
ventions will be notified and nominees
will be questioned.
There is much work to be done AMI
at once.
Ten states elect legislatures this
year: Ohio, Iowa, Kentucky, Mary
land New York, New Jersey, Massa-
chusetts, Rhode Island, South Caro-
lima and Mississippi. In each of these
states the candidates for the legisl1-
ture should be pledged to give the
voters an opportunity to ballot upon
the termination Of monopoly rule.
This can easily be accomplished
through the combined action of or
ganized labor, organized farmers, or
ganized business men, and majority
rule leagues.
In all the cities and villages of the
country where the referendum and
initiative does not exist the system
can be installed at the next elects"
by questioning candidates. Ask them
whether, if elected, they will vote for
rules of procedure whereby the peor
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