Evening journal., 1907-01-11

tremendously dumped them into the
waste basket like so much rubbish. to
the great cost Of all the people and
the lasting injury OF ihe community.
But so perfectly are the people now
shackeled I'm the use OF their inherent
powers that they cannot rid themselves
OF these faithless public servants until
the end OF their long term. During this
time they may irrevocably fasten upon
the people in perpetuity or for long
periods franchises and privileges worth
fabulous sums given away absolutely
without consideration TO the people
and containing scandalous provisions
deprlving the people without remedy
Of the proper use and occupancy OF their
own public streets. The people here
after will have to put boots on their
petitions.
The public service corporations the
bepenciaries Of these acts Of corporate
burglary. seem absolutely unwilling to
pay anything for the use Of the streets
or for the franchises which they have
obtained for nothing and have capital
lied for some five million dollars. or
even just taxes TO sustain the State
city and courts upon which they rely
for the protection OF their property
and interests They even have the az.
frontery TO delay payment OF legal
debts to the city by methods which
should be investigated until, like suck
ling babes. they can plead the statute
OF limitations against the public ana
defraud It Of its just dues. A half
million dollars Is said to be due from
one corporation alone which could be
made to account therefor. II the plain
provisions Of the charter which they
obtained form your Legislature We're
enforced.
But worse than all this. Amlated
sinister influences surround your chosen
legislative servants as they here as
senible at your sacred temple Of power
with a band OF hired lobbyists armed
with the usual implements Of their
craft to try and tempt or bully the good
men you have trusted. or beguile them
into betrayal Of your confidence and
their honor by violating their solemn
oaths Of office. In New York and some
other States. so evil are these hlreling
lobbyists considered. the law required
them 20 be tagged. They must publicly
register their names and state whom
| they represent. Like dangerous dogs
they must show uDon their collars the
names Of their owners. There can be
no objection to the appearance Of citi-
zens in person or 10y counsel to openly
urge the adoption Of their views 10
legislation. but those who would en-
ploy improper means or influence
against the peoples welfare should be-
regarded as a malign pestilence.
Wherever there exists municipal cor
ruption, corporate corruption and 20.
litical corruption. they may pass eaci
other as strangers durins the light O.
day. but If trailed into the dark hour
Of the night they win always be founl
In the same bed. A friend OF mine on
I'm Michigan. a distinguished Methods
clergyman. once put Il correctly I'm
sermon when he said; when you-strik
at devils they all lock tails and fight"
If submission of local option is de
, feated. or IL the people are given al
impotent and meaningless statute
response to their recent demand for tn
p Initiative and Referendum by the re
markable vote Of eighty-seven per Ger
for to only thirteen per cent. agains
! the measure, it viii be due this tim
! as in the past. to these malign iufiu
ences secretly uniting and exchangiu
4 favors. How long win the people COZ
tinue to submit TO the poisonous dom
nation Of these enemies OF the Stai
d. and of society? The people must taxi
!. possession of their own. Who viii Of
pose the desire of the majority? IF
should happen that the people Of Ker
and Sussex counties think absence
sufficient police protection makes
. wise to close some OF the public drink
!, ling places near their homes as the onl
means Of making II safe for their wive
= and daughters 70 venture outside {
their barred doors, shall we of Ne
= Castle county prevent them from doln
so? This would be force of the mos
: inexcusable kind. If ninety per cent
/, or even fifty-one per cent. Of the quail
fed voters of the State should desh
to express their preference as TO whoi
they believe cnn best serve them in IN
/, United States Senate. or I'm any oths
capacity, who win presume TO den
them that opportunity
We do net believe that this Legisl,
members VIII prove treacherous to the
neighbors snd friends who have hoI
: ored and trusted them. We belie'
: they are highminded, honest gentleme
conscious Of their responsibilities an
- duty to the people with whose welfai
n, their interests and synpathies win ev'
n be intermingled.
= In Onder 30 successfully combat thei
= evil influences and to get and retain 4
q the people the opportunity for dire
" control over their own interests. wou
= It not be wise to create a new ar
n broader organization to cooperate vii
i yours? One called The Peoples Leagl
= Of Delaware or other suitable nam
with a Statewide membership.
= which all can join who viii sign Il
:, simple declaration that in all sin .eri
they will work for the moral and mi
= terial welfare Of the State and for u
y best practicable means FOR The dire
control by the people OF their own a
: fairs. 1t should not be a temperan
society. for we desire the aid and su
- port Of the large number who do n
!, wish TO enlist under that banner, b
- would do valuable service for the eau
Of good government by Loyalty supper
. ing this great movement I'm the int
est OF the people. IL il be thought be
"a to form such an organization no tin
should be lost, for there Is immedia
work to be done for the measures b
fore the present General Assembly