The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-09-06


forms In the United States this trend toward
democracy has taken the form of a growing de-
mand for the election of United States senators
by a direct vote Of the people. 1t would be dill
cult to overestmate the strategic advantages OF
this reform for since every bill must receive the
sanction of the senate well as the house OF
representatives before it can become law no
important remedial legislation OF national char-
acter is possible until the senate is brought into
harmony with the people.
81 within the limits OF the truth When l
say that the senate has been for years the buWark
of predatory wealth and that it even now con-
tains many members who owe their election
to favor-seekng corporations and are so suDSerV-
lent to their masters as to prevent needed leglS
alton. The popular branch of congress has four
times declared in favor of this reform by two
thirds vote and more than twothirds Of the states
have demanded it, and yet the senate arrogantly
and mpudenty blocks the way.
'The income tax, which some IN our country
have denounced as a sociaiistic attack upon
wealth, has, pleased to report, the endorse
ment of the most conservative countries in the Old
world. 1t is permanent part of the fiscal system
of most of the countries of Europe and in many
places it is graded tax, the rate being highest
upon the largest incomes. England has long de-
pended upon the income tax for considerable
part of her revenues and the English commits
sion is now investigating the proposition to change
from a uniform to a graded tax.
Il have been absent too long to speak with
any authority on the public sentiment in this
country at this time but | am so convinced OF the
justice of the income tax that feel sure that the
people will sooner later demand an amend
ment to the constitution which will specifically au-
thorize an income tax and thus make it possible
for the burdens of the federal government to be
apportioned among the people in proportion to
their ability to bear them. 1t is little short OF
disgrace to our country that while it is able to
command the lives of it's citizens in time of war.
it can not even in the most extreme emergency,
compel wealth to bear it's share OF the expenses
of the government which protects it,
Il have referred to the investigation of in
ternational controversies under system which
does not bind the parties to accept the findings
of the court of inquiry. This plan can be used
in disputes between labor and capital; in fact it
was proposed means of settling such dis
putes before it was applied to international con-
troversies. 1t is as important that we shall have
peace at home that shall live peaceably
with neighboring nations, and peace is only pos
sible when it rests upon justice In advocating
arbitration of differences between large corporate
EMPLOYERS and their employees, | believe we
defending the highest interests of the three
parties to these disputes viz the employers. the
employees and the public. The employe can not
be turned over to the employer to be dealt with
as the employer may please.
"The question sometimes asked, Can | not
conduct my business to suit MYSELF is plausible
one, but when in conducting his business
attempts to arbitrarily fix the conditions under
which hundreds of employees are to live and to
determine the future of thousands of human be-
ings answer without hesitation that he has
right to conduct his own business in such way
as to deprive his employees of the right to life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness. To support
this position | need only refer to the laws
regulating the safety of mines, the factory laws
fixing the age at which children can be employed,
and usuary laws establishing the rate of interest.
The effort of the employer to settle differences
without arbitration has done much to embitter
him against those who work for him and to
estrange them from hm-a condition deplorabe
from every standpoint.
s'But if it is unwise to make the employer the
sole custodian of the rights and interests of the
employees it is equally unwse to give the
ployes uncontrolled authority over the rights and
interests of the employer. The employees are no
more to be trusted to act unselfshly and disin-