The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1910-11-05
DEFINES THE ISSUES
GOVERNOR DENEEN MAKES THEM
PLAIN TO VOTERS.
November Election Unusually Impor-
tant on Account of Unusual
Conditions in State.


In his campaign speeches Governor
Deneen has clearly defined the issues
presented to the voters at the election
November s. so far as State issues
are concerned" he said. this election
Is unusually important because of the
unusual political conditions which pre-
vail here. | shall not stop to recall
these conditions. They are familiar
to all of you and were thoroughly dis
cussed in the recent primaries. We
are now concerned about the remedy,
and because of the unusual character
of the conditions which confront US
our party has presented an unusual
platform, indicating specifically the
methods 1t will pursue in an effort to
change and improve political condi-
lions in our State.
Due to Bi-Partisanism.
These conditions grew out of a BIZ
partisan combination composed of GO
Democrats and "a Republicans, gath
cred together and held together by
means and methods which were not
announced at the time of its organ
ization, and which have not been fully
revealed since. The Republican party
has taken strong stand against such
an organization of the General AS
sambly. 1t has defined its attitude
upon this subject and has disavowed
responsibility for the conduct of the
"a Republicans who entered the BIZ
partisan coalition. Its platform de-
clares for majority rule within the
4IoA
shall act as unit through the party
caucus upon party matters. 1t defines
party matters to be the creation of the
legislative machinery in both branches
of the General Assembly, the election
of the Speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatives, the Congressional and Sem
atorial apportionments, the election OF
United States Senator and the en-
actment of the measures favored by
it in its party platform.
Provides the Program.
In order that there shall be no
doubt about 1t, 1t defines explicitly the
program for the next General Assem-
bly, and every man nominated upon
our ticket for member of the General
Assembly has been instructed by the
party in State convention regarding
TIE program which the party has
approved, and to which it stands
pledged. BY this action the Repub-
llcan party has gone as far as POI
litical party can go in seeking 10 pre-
vent a repetition of the disgracefuf
conditions which prevailed in our last
General Assembly.
THE Republican program has for
its object the bringing OF government
closer to the people and the affording
tc the individual voter of greater
power over legislation and administra-
tion. 1t favors the following:
1.-THE amendment of our direct pri-
mary law and the enactment of new
enc If this should fail; the identifica-
ton of registered voters; means to
prevent fraudulent voting or frauds
in recording or counting votes; an
amendment to the constitution abol-
ishing the system of minority repre-
sentation to prevent the manipulation
of votes In favor of undesirable cam
didates; the election of United States
Senators direct by the people, tho
passage of a corrupt practices act
limiting the amount of money to be
spent in elections and providing for
publicity in reference thereto; the
amendment of the rules of the Gem
eral Assembly so that measures may
be considered upon their merits; the
initiative and referendum, SO that
voters may initiate measures of great
public interest and have referred to
them such measures where the public
interest requires or justifies il. In
view of the abuse of power in our
legislative body in recent years, our
party has outlined program that viii
restore to the people and TO the Gen.
eral Assembly itself tho power to con-
frol Iaofclatfon