The Imperial press., 1905-07-22
Revolution Rebellion


 form With these distinctions in mind, 1 let ts look briefly at the existing state of things keeping in mind the decision | of Judge Torrance of the Superior court 1 of this county. As effecting the Refer endum in San Diego city and the pe0- ple's rights to govern themselves gener- ally.
 There was a time when the people of | America bowed to the will of king who ruled by divine right. When his 1 ruling became unbearable the people sought reform. Failing in this, they rebelled against the king's authority, and banished his authority from the land. This gave them clear field. l they could have Set Hp E new king and secured the reform they had sought. But if this Mas vione the absolute power of king was likely to bring the same results as formerly. Thence the rebels proceeded to revolutionize their govern ment and the establishment of repre- sentative government WAS the result. Time passed and ambitions men learned how tO use the power of representa- tive government to enrich themselves at the expense of the toiling many. The people sought reform and to this end sought out good men whom they hoped would represent them.
 But alas, human endurance has d lrYaff <a IL, l>s = the corrupting influence of aggregate wealth was brought to bear and most efforts at reform have been frustrated. It is true that the price of some of the peoples representatives was very high, 1t was placed at nothing short of their life. And in these cases when 1t was necessary they laid down their life, but the corrupting power moved on t0 victory.
 Often repeated efforts at reform were made and as often baffled. Until the people at last realized that reform Was useless and made puny sttempt at revolution by recalling to oLhemselves the right to make laws for their own government which they had formerly l delegated to their representatives. This however is not to be permitted by the powers that be.
 For according to Judge Torrance "the 1 people of California will have to clearly 1 express iH the constitution their pur- ! pose that the municipalities of this state |, shall het,ome local DemocrAcies," or in ] 4sjs judgment the law making power oi | a city must r"inaip ii q representative l legislative lIOdy. And inasmuch as his judgment is law, it looks as though the people will have tO amend the consti- ] tutiOn of tlIis state in order to hold in cheek she corruption of public officials. [ The Iesrmssi @ Judge "hRs given the subject uIueh consideration" and lAs- I liever that the people should be set 1 right on this Huhi-ct at NIIce.
 Had he given the subject s",ne more ''carefui thought', and he may io it 1 yet) he would have pointed out that it l required Mn amendment to the c.>nsti- | tuition nf the United States, in order to make Rn amendment to the California ! constitution constitutional. In fact he [ h&s siressiy lssasi tllP foundation tssF ssael 1, e decision in the present. "ne a. our learned District Attorney points out. | Then tn amend the constitution of tbe i United States or of Califoania it is i necessarV according tn the constitutions l tO permit it to be done by representa- tivSs w0 are still subject tu the cor. fnpting ihhueHce of piivile,iged wealth. 1 In other words the people have created | power greater than themselves and 1 gre now subject to this monster of their own creation.
 Nor May they undo what they have done. Our Hmcestnrs, some time in the tari, agreed ~ir-1Need themselVes how they would govern themselves and while they were ahmt il said how their children rhuuid g"vprn themselves and even though conditions Su change that d heroti,.-e iInp SSihle to ~eCTre justice in the new environments under the old | sgfeenrmt (for after all what is law but sn agreement reaches, hv a majority taae intellectual prostitutes called laW