Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1908-08-21
shan the People Ruler


many expressions from Bryan. espec-
tally in the past year, it is plain
this as the supreme issue in this
Twelve years ago he nat
ionalized the idea that United
States senators should be elected by
a direct vote of the people. Ever
since the foundation of the govern
ment, there has been fragmentary tai
along this line, but Bryan was the
first to center the attention of the
nation on this great reform. Although
the Chicago convention by an en-
phatic vote went on reco d agai-ct
1t, so popular is the sentimens in
its favor, that Roosevelt, in writing
Taft's letter of acceptance, fet con.
strained to declare in its favor. A
genuine reform never goes backward.
Notwithstanding the constitutional in
hibition hereafter senators will be
chosen by popular vote. Bryan in
his speech called attention to the ex-
preston in the Denver platform, that
the election of United States SEN
ators by a direct vote was to be the
gateway to other like reforms. Now
when it is remembered that Bryan
has already publicly announced that
he is in favor Of the election OF
postmasters by a direct vote Of the
people, and when he says, I'VE stall
open the gate" and not shut it, we
can begin to appreciate the wonder
full growth that Home rule Is making
in this country. Shall the people
ruler That is the supreme question.
How can the people rule II they al
low few men to choose the rul-
ers? We elect a governor and al.
low him to appoint an army of Of
ficers. We elect a president and al
low him to appoint hundreds of thou
ands of officers. We elect con
gresham and allow him to appoint
the postmasters. We allow the fed
eral Judge to be appointed for life
and then he assumes the power to
nullify state laws, appoints an army
Of political mendicants, supports
gang of political thieves, destroys
Legitimate enterprises that he may
reward political favorites and in this
way ravishes the law in the temple
of justice. We know how 1t is II
this state. 1t is the same In all thu
states. Under this viciouh practic'
the supreme court of the United
States has become the byword ant
the jeer of Lawyers, who speak un
der their breath and by the people
who speak openly. All this can b
changed only in one way. All thes'
officers must be elected by the peo
pie. Patronage must be destroyed
Bryan has carried the banner ia
ahead of the army. Now let thu
army move up to the colors. Bry
an is the ideal Democrat; with hin
the great question is shall the PEG
pie rule" Taft is the ideal aristo
crat. With him the great question
is, how can the people be ruled
Never in the history of parties was
the issue so exemplified in the can
didates.
The upper classes, as Walter We'll
man has we'll said, are for Taft. The
middle and lower classes are TO
Bryan. Can the rich few control The
poor many in a popular election? 1
not then Bryan will win if the!
can, then Taft will be the victor
Shall the people rule, means, will
: the people be on the alert, attentive
to their own interests? Can the!
be fooled by the multiplied a gencies
at the command of wealth and po
sition; not the least of which is tn
debauched press? Can the trained
army of federal officials, directed BY
masterful political leaders and unit
ed with commercial pirates, contro
the people against themselves? Bry
an is right. Self government il
the real issue in this campaign.
! Then let the people be watchfu
and practical. Demand that ever!
candidate for office shall declare il
favor of the election of all officers
by direct vote Of the people. NJ
mater on what ticket the candidate
may be, if he will not give this pied
unequivocally, then vote against him.