The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-04-15
REpRESfN TATIvE HUGO Throws DOWN
PEOPLE ON ELECTRIC LIGHTING BILL

of municipal ownership. It would
have simply removed the obstacle that
prevents the people from determining
the question themselves. To say that
the people should be denied this right
is an insult to the intelligence of this
people.
Sometimes when we analyze the
members of the state legislature we
can not help. but wonder If there is
not good ground for being somewhat
distrustful. When , we study the
character Of our representatives in the
legislature,-men who have little
knowledge of Republican form of
Government, who are afraid to an
tagonize selfish interests, who> disre-
gard the wishes of the people, and
who know nothing Of their wants in
the matter of legislation,-we at times
do not blame some Of the more able
ones when they think that there should
be some restriction in local govern
ment.
How Men Change Minds.
Men in public office often get into
a state Of mind, because of their
temporary surroundings, that for a
time changes their whole character.
The confusion of their. environment,
the insincerity in the very atmosphere
they breath, the dishonesty and cor
ruption that surround them, too often
blind their sight, destroy, their idea
of right and force them to think that
they are the rulers, rather than the
servants of the people.
The members of the st. Louis county
delegation are all honorable men in
ordinary business and politics. Some
of them may have traits in business
that are not SO manifest in politics,
and on the other hand some may have
a weakness in character not discern
able in private business, but of great
danger in politics. Take, for instance,
the weakness Of deceit and trickery,
of which the people were the victums
in the failure of our electric lighting
bill. In private business this trait,
from moral stand point, would not
act against a man. It is being cul-
tivated and supported by modern COM
mercialis1n. In politics, however, while
frequently overlooked by the people, it
is serious impeachment to successful
craftsmanship.
Those members Of our delegation
and one of them must be guilty
who played a double game on the
municipal electric lighting bill at this
session of the state legislature will
find, as the agitation for public owner
ship grows, that they have placed
Themselves in an uneyiable position
When they come Before the people al
1.-THE next election they will have some.
tnfng very unpleat ata1.ts 10 answer for. !,
f. Movements Towards Democracy. :.
They should have remembered be.
fore taking their rash course that the
tendency in government; is to- give the
! people more power. The Intricate
machinery in government may have
| called for restriction in the infancy o1
| this Republic, but the growing intel.
| ligence Of the American people, an6
| their extensive knowledge of public
| affairs Is giving rise for a. demand fol
a greater democracy. In due course
OF time representative government will
be augmented by the direct rule of thu
people.
In our own city the people have Ger.
| tain rights. gained within the last few
years, that they did not previousls
enjoy. They vote on all charte,
| amendments. They may by a proper
petition demand and compel the chart.
| er commission to draft and submit tt
the people any desired amendment t.
| the city charter. They may pass or