Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-08-03

vate ownership of railroads-and 1t Is
an objection that all recognize-is the
use of the pass in politics. In some
of the states the constitution forbids
the use of pass by public officials,
but even in such states officials some
times use passes and when an official
in such a state accepts pass, having
violated the law, he puts himself where
the railroad can blackmail him and
force him to vote for measures desired
by the railroads.
So powerful is the influence of the
pass that it was impossible to secure
at the last session of congress con.
sideration of a resolution introduced
by Congressman Baker OF New York
asking whether the giving of = pass
was q violation of the interstate com.
MERGE law. The Pennsy lvania rail
road and the Baltimore & Ohio road
secured large appropriations from the
last congress for the enlargement OF
the depot facilities at Washington,
and it is q notorious fact that repre-
sentatives OF the roads were present
in the Hobbies of the capitol building
giving passes to the members OF con-
gress who voted with them and refus-
ing passes to the members who voted
against their demands. Any one who
has had any experience in politics
cannot be blind to the fact that the use
of the pass often controls conventions,
determines the selection of legislators,
governors and often judges.
Whether the various roads shall be
secured by purchase or condemnation
Is q matter that each state can decide
for itself. 1t may be wiser to begin
by building new lines where they are
now needed and thus determine the
value of the old lines by the operation
of the new ones. But the means to be
employed for the securing of the lines
and the rules to be adopted for TIT
operation of them, will be found easy
after the public has determined that
the people, acting through their gov
eminent, should take upon themselves
the work of controlling this great
branch of the business of the people.
We have also reached time when
the post Office department should en-
brace a telegraph system as we'll as q
mail system While the telegraph
lines does not reach as many people
as the railroads do, and while the
abuses to private ownership have not
been so open and notorious, yet there
is no reason why this nation should
not do what other nations are doing
in this respect. In the small towns
the postmaster could act as telegraph
operator and thus a great economy
could be effected.
An income tax is just and without
it it will be difficult to secure any ef-
fectual tariff reform. When the people
understand the income tax the popular
demand for it will be so great that no
party will dare to ignore it merely to
court favor with the comparatively
few who are now avoiding their share
of the expenses of the government and
throwing too large a portion OF the
public burden upon the poor.
Even as now organized the demo-
cratic party stands for the election OF
senator's by the people and it ought to
stand for direct legislation as far as
the principle can be conveniently ap-
piled. Everything that brings the gov
eminent nearer to the people ia good.
There is more virtue in the people
than ever finds expression through
their representatives.
Our party should also consider
whether our federal judges should not
be elected by the people to serve for a
limited period. The life position in
the civil service is not justified by ex-
perience.
suggest, not for the purpose of in
sisting upon it, but merely to bring
the matter to public attention, that it
may be found desirable to change the
method OF selecting postmasters. AT
present they are appointed by the pre-.
sident upon the recommendation OF
congressman. The postoftice depart.
ment is now great political machine
presided over by man skilled in DO.
litical maneuvers, and the wishes OF
the people in the various communities
are entirely ignored. Why should q
federal administration ignore the
wishes OF the people whom the post
master is expected to serve? II q sys
tenn can be devised whereby the fede.
raj government will still retain thu
power of appointment and the powe,
OF removal and yet be restricted ir
appointment to persons named by thu
local community, step in advance
will have been taken.
The democratic party, il it is to b<
q power for good in this country
must be the defender of human rights