The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

William R. Hearst's Independence
League has decided 60 hold a national
convention and TO form a new marty.
thus initiating a movement that NAV give
some uneasiness to both the old organiza-
tons. particularly il the Republicans
siouid persist in their policy Of doing
nothing at the present session OF Con-
sress. and II the Democrats should At
tempt an appeal to the conservatism OF
the country. Mr.. Hearst. who is the in
spiration Of the cause, regards both the
e1 sting parties as hopelesslv reaction
airy. The word Democracy" he says.
defines no doctrine; the word Repub-
lcan expresses no principle" The bitter
est political differences of opinion he
iinds in the Democratic party. where con-
sentative and radical are uncompromIs-
ingly opposed. similar division. though
not SO marked. characterizes the Repub-
lean party. This being the situation. Mr..
Hearst thinks the time is propitious for
a real national party. standing for popu-
lar reforms which other parties are re-
luctant TO grant. The platform of the
new party Mr.. Hearst thus describes:
The fist purpose OF our platform is to restore the
power Of government to the people. 10 make their
viii supreme in the primaries in the elections and
IN the control Of public oeisls after they have been
elected.
Our second purpose Is 20 destroy the power Of
selfish special interests by Wrestling from their hands
theT main weapon. the corruption fund.- and by
preventing ABSOLUTELY the use Of any money at eec
tons except for literature for meetings. and for
legitimate appeals to the intelligence and patriotism
Of the voter.
Our third purpose is to correct some o. the OBJ
vios financial and econom.c evils Of the day to pro-
mole not only the CREATION Of wealth but a more
Just and eQuable distribution Of wealth and 10 pre-
vent the interruption Of the mighty march Of ma
uonal progress and prosperity by the criminal meth
oGs u the hghWaymen Of high finance
Our fourth purpose is to frame certain schemes of
constructive legislation to develop the resources n,
our great country. TO increase national and inter
national facilities for trade and commerce. to restore
confidence and employment and TO encourage ALI
legitimate business enterprises"
To carry these principles into practice
the Independence Lsaguers demand two
very radical changes in the American no.
ltical system, both Of which directly
traverse the main body OF belief enter
tanned by the leaders Of existing parties
The first or these is the broad application
Of the initiative and referendum to ma
tional, State, and municipal affairs. and
the second. the extension Of the principle
O. public ownership of public utilities as
rapidly as our governments. municipal.
State and national shall demonstrate
their ability to conduct such ENTERPRISES
for the public benefit While the Mat
form stands for number OF other things
that may be termed radical, most of the
other propositions advanced in it have
already been appropriated by Mr.. Roose-
welt and Mr.. Bryan. and they do not in
volve any serious modification Of our no
Htieal or industrial system But the in
itiative and referendum. coupled with
public ownership. would reduce repre-
sentative government to a nudity and
bring about an industrial order. so far as
railroads, telegraphs. street railroads.
water, and lighting companies are con
cerned. that would closely resemble the
sociaiistic state, with its industries con-
trolled by the workers. Perhaps we are
going in that direction. anyway. but it is
easily conceivable that a government