Los Angeles herald., 1909-02-08

ance they will not unlikely be en-
ployed in matters of the state.
The recall is perhaps the final step
in removing restraint on popular ac-
ton and placing full power in the
hands of the people to protect and
promote their interests. 1t will be
blow at machine and boss politics.
May Be Recreant to Trust
There is more than possibility that
in electing men to office for a pre-
scr1bed term, some will prove to be rec
reant to their trusts, and that is es-
pecially so when control of politics is
in the hands of the machine or the So
called organization" which has come
to be the vogue very largely in these
latter days.
There are remedies through which
derelict officials can be removed, such
as impeachment or certain custer pro-
ceedlngs, but which are sparingly re-
sorted to. Under the later growth of
machine and boss rule it is an extreme
case in which existing remedies can be
made effective. Removals through en-
ployment Of present remedies have sell
dom been made for disregard of the
popular interests and wishes merely,
nor for neglect of duty, until it has be-
come Hagrant. The recall furnishes an
effective and speedy remedy under
whatever circumstances the people
shall deem their interests and wishes
trified with. Legislatures and courts
of late have been loath to call officials
to an account for favoring monopolies
or special interests to the sacrifice of
those of the public.
There are offices filled during good
behavior, removal from which, how
ever, is not in the hands Of the people.
The recall is in the nature of a con-
ditiOn on which officials shall hold their
places and the orc 11r
judges whether the condition has been,
complied with. 1t is not in contempla-
ton that officials shall be recalled
for trivialties, but for conduct
which involves important consequences.
Whether on account Of a positive act
or failure to act, removal should be
made is a question that can safely be
left to the public tribunal
People Should Rule
The people should possess the largest
freedom in managing their own affairs,
Tor 1t must be assumed if there is to
be popular rule at all, that they know
better what they want and what is best
for the public welfare than officials be-
holden to machines and bosses for their
positions
1t is argued that the recall may be
used in factional spirit, or by enemies
of an incumbent official. That may
i
VIII be so ruled is to assert unfitness
for self government. The great body
OF the people is never moved by sinister
influences Why cannot the people in
a recall election be trusted as safely
as in any other? There are pessimists
who are in the habit Of distrusting and
diSparaging the masses, but in the
study Of our national history it will be
discovered that in the end, and without
much delay, the people "wobble right
and what they have done has nearly al
ways been in the line of progress
towards better conditions. The people
Will make mistakes, and the recall af-
fords an early opportunity for them to
make corrections.
There is ever a class that pretends
to be afraid of popular disturbance, Vio-
lence, revolution. Very little Of that
has ever occurred in this country, and
none without considerable proVocation
When there is open to the people
peaceful means for the removal of evils
from which they suffer there will be no
resort to force; they are most peace
full and orderly when opportunities for
making efforts to promote the general
veal are not denied nor long withheld
The referendum has the effect to
cause lawmakers to be more careful in
respect to the legislation they shall
pass, or fail to enact The initiative
will cause them to give more study to
the wants and wishes Of the people and
is advising measures that shall respect
both, and the recall will be the holding
of club over the heads of officials
that otherwise might be guilty Of posi-
tive wrong or fragrant dereliction Of
duty. The three will be a standing
menace to those who would neglect the
public interests for those that are per-
sonal or of a class. 1t would be a
menace more potential than the COM
mands of a machine and it's boss.
Grating, doubtless, would be checked
or removed altogether In a popular
government it is unsafe to tie the hands
of the people to the extent that they
cannot assert their power whenever
and to whatever extent they may
choose. The larger the power retained
by the people the more will they feel
their responsibilities and the more GER
tain it will be that they will give closer
watch to the proceedings of govern
ment and more thought to public poll
cieS
The civilized world is more and more
copying our system. Some of the ma
t1ons halt at the line Of denial of privi-
lege and caste. There is a class in this
country that would not disturb that
line, but it is a class whose ideals
should be ignored. The progress of de-
mocracy must not be checked by class
favors and power. Approach to the
doctrine Of fraternalism is in accord
with human and divine evolution, and
it will be nearer as the people are more
fully possessed of the power to express
their wishes and judgment and to en-
force respect TO them