The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1909-02-18

=. Township organization, to the
adopted township by township, as voters
become ready for it. (This is the Min
ncsota law. 1t is silly to ask Seattle
and other cities and villages to adopt
township organization. They have their
local government. Township or
ganization is merely farmers local self
government, and should be adopted as
each neighborhood is ready for it. pre-
ciselv as cities of the fourth class in
corporate whenever they wish to do 80.
Township organization is a local ques-
ton and should be decided by local
votes. Counties in Minnesota may be
partly under county organization, part
ly under city organization and partly
under township organization. Cut ont
the vote of the citics
,. Direct legislation by the initiative
and referendum. (This is the greatest
reform of all, but many voters do not
appreciate its importance)
1. powed of recall. (Sccond only t.
direct legislation Adopted by many
cities. Saved Oregon from disgrace
Will carry by 10 to |.
). Enforcement of campaign pledges
Conviction of the violation of cam
paign pledge to work instant removal
from office, the vacancy to be filled by
the candidate who had the next highest
number OF votes. Similar to power of
recall. but more effective, less trouble,
supplementary to that rcform.)
6. Rural local self government
Counties, that is farmers. are entitled
to all the powers and liberties now
granted to cities :-cities may and coun-
ties should have power to own and opcr-
ate public utilities care for their own
streets and roads; levy their own taxes;
cials; adopt charters and ordinances, in
cluding direct legislation. civil service
reform, power of recall stock laws etc,
etc. etc. The farmers of WhatcOm coun-
ty are quite as able to manage their
roads as the people of Bellnoham are
to manage their streets. Say to the
legislature Hands Off" How can a
legislature make law that will pro-
vide for dust, ruts in Whatcom and also
for mud ruts in Whatcom? Roads and
streets are local questions. We want
neither state aid nor state interference
with cithcr-t though of course speculat-
ors want macadam roads built through
their large tracts of wild land at the
expense of the state. Spectators hate
improvement districts" as the devil
hates holy water. See? Each county
should have power by majority vote,
to exempt improvements from taxation,
that is to make spectators let 90 of
their graft.)
!. Nonpartisan ballot for county
Officers. Precisely like the present
ballot for judges Why should Supt.
of schools be a partisan when Judge
should be nonpartisan? What has party
politics to do with the commissioners
office-or any county officc?)
s. Eight hour day for women work
ers in factories, stores and laundries.
o. Pensions to orphans whose par
ents were citizens of the state at the
time of their death
Something for All.
Many other planks can be added.
When the present legislature adioums
any good measures which have been
smothered in committee will help our
movement for majority rule.
Every socialist should favor every one
of these planks-and this is more than
he is likely to get in several years
through his party. Let him keep the
other portions of his belief for pro
paganda, while making sure of this
much at the next election.
Every reform republican will appre-
ciatc the need for union of reform
forces.
\ leading democrat of Pierce county
laughed meredulously when | suggest
ed this plan for a majority rule league:
but after an hours talk, when | left his
home, he said well. Mr. Kaufman, you
can count on me for anything that will
help along the cause"
Parties are Dead.
Partisanship is dead. Let us recog-
nize that fact and act accordingly. Our
abomniblc primary law makes it nee
essary for us to unite under some name,
but a party name hurts no one if we
get what we want
Let us all unite in creating a plat
form that viii truly represent the voters
of the state; push the campaign till
about June, 1910; then take a straw vote
on all candidates who sign our platform.
We can easily elect the most popular
candidates, for they will stand on a