The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-08-18
LEAGUE is FINALLY <:=z= :=z=az*@
FORMED IN FLOUR CITY

ments for the initiative and referen-
dunn system in state affairs. proper
tional representation in the legislature
and home rule for cities; also bills for
the direct nomination Of state officers,
ballot reform, the control Of the trusts
and the termination of government by
injunction. The measures thus framed
will be attached to initiative petitions,
printed and circulated for signature
and filed with the legislature soon
after it assemblies.
"3. We demand that the incoming
legislature shall enact statute law for
! the Texas system Of advisory Initiative
within the parties, so that a direct
vote within the parties in this state
| may be had In 1908 for the nominees
{ FOR president and vice president of the
! United States, and for planks in the
national platforms.
State to Be Organized.
"a peoples rule league is to be or
! ganized in each county, with commit
teemen from each township and ward,
! the membership to include, so far as
practicable, the voters who are not
members Of the organizations affili-
: ated with the State Federation for the
Peoples Rule. The program of each
county league Will be:
a. The establishment of the peo-
pies rule through (a) the immediate
installation Of the advisory initiative
and advisory referendum in nation,
state and city, to be followed by a
constitutional amendment; CD direct
nominations throughout the state; Co
; the recall for executive officials; (d)
direct election of United States sena-
; tors; (e) home rule for cities and
counties
"2. The application of the direct
vote system as rapidly as esta blished.
| "Observe that such a program will
!, enable us to win at once, for the can
didates in the rural districts as we'll
! as in the cities will be obliged to
! pledge themselves, or stand a chance
! Of being defeated by members of their
! own party. The political curse Of the
age is machine rule. and the voters
! in the country will join the wage earn
ers in the city for its overthrow. With
the initiative system in operation all
, the needed reforms will quickly be
brought about. Oregon Is an illustra-
| ton. In ten other states the initia-
tive and referendum principle Is as
| sured. The movement for a direct vote
on public questions is gaining rapid
headway and can ca silly win every
ssMhere In this. xsags aca1al lg9... Ne; !;
T chine rule is doomed. The convention
| system Is an acknowledged failure. II
is up to us to inaugurate the cam
paign in this state which will sound
the death knell of special privilege.
Direct legislation means the dawn OF
new era In American politics.
I'm order that this organization may
be Of a permanent nature I have Sc
cured the outline Of constitution
adopted by the Peoples Sovereignty
| league, which I shall be pleased to
submit to a committee on constitution
for their guidance in framing laws
governing the state organization.
Il sincerely trust that the work we
do here will be far reaching. Greater
movements have been started under
| less favorable auspices. The princi-
pies we are striving for must eventu-
ally be adopted in order that true
democracy may be firmly established
! in this government.
| Privilege has run the gauntlet. It
has been given so much rope that
like the proverbial calf, it is hanging
itself. Peoples rule is the next in
order in the PROGRESS of our govern
ment.
minnesota is fertile territory for the
propagation of the principles we are
advocating here. We have long been
in the advance guard in adopting pro-
gressive legislation. We were one OF
the first Of the states to adopt the
Australian system Of voting. Our pri-
! mary election system, though full OF
flaws and incomplete, is a decided i'm
provement over the old boss ridden
convention system. We can't afford to
fall in the rear in the campaign for
direct legislation and the rule of the
people.
Let each Of us put our shoulder
to the wheel and from henceforth be
a firm advocate of the principles ad-
vanced here today.
ingmen. for whom I have the honor
to speak, stand at our backs and look
to us with strong hopes that we may
launch the movement In this state
that will give to all the people the
greatest Industrial and political lib
erty.
May we all recognize the RESPONSE
bility Of our position, and when We
leave this hall may 1t be with the
determination to devote our best ef-
forts during the coming camjaign TO,
the abolition OF machine rule by the
adoption Of thd initiative and refer
endum."
A committee of five was then an.
pointed to draft a constitution. While
the committee was busy Mr.. John A.
Keyes Of Duluth was called upon fol-
a speech. He replied most eloquently
After the repo1t Of the committee
was received and Iadopted the follow
Ing were elected officers: President
S. A. Stockwell, Minneapolis; vice
president, Judge y. L. Buck Winona
l aocrofo a,,ro{ n AFoE1,,or