The Greeley tribune., 1910-08-04
A PETITION IN BOOTS

notice by the Denver reports that
number of different organizations in
that city which, in common with the
democrats of the state. have ad-
vocated several progressive policies
namely the primary election, the
bank guarantee, the initiative and
referendum, and official recall. are
to combine upon the eve of the sit
ting of the legislature In special ses-
sion and in a grand mass demon
stration present In person petition
In boots at the steps of the state
house.
This policy reminds one of the old
Coxey army days, when numerous
bodies OF the unerp'oyed marched
under systematic orders to Washing
ton and there fom the steps Of the
United States capital building ad-
dressed their grievances to congress.
This petition differs from the Coxey
style in that it is not a demand for
bread or employment but 1t is a
more urgent demand thai virtue and
honesty be upheld In J'u'. ;al me-
thods; that when great political
party ammo ,nces its policy. its indi-
Mdual representatives snall consist
emily and without evasioa carry out
that policy. and honestly endeavor
to enact into law the pledged re-
forms.
August 9th our legislature will sit
in extraordinary session. and this
mass meeting of the various reform
elements in the city of Denver will
occur the evening before. 1t is hard
ly to be presumed that the petition
in boots or out of boots will have
any influence upon the several de-
termined revolutionists in the city
of Denver who have allied themsel-
yes with the interests" and who de-
pend upon the solid republican mi
nority vote in the senate to defeat
the several reform measures under
consideration in the governors call,
yet such occasions do demonstrate
the trend of public feeling and mark
the course very clearly for the pub
lie servant who desires to keep in
touch with the people.
1t is not because the democratic
party is wrong that this special ses-
sion has been rendered necessary
but because the same corporate in
terests which have been and are
the republican organiza-
tion has the democratic city hall
machine" of Denver also under its
thumb. They do not need to buy
those members for they named them
and own them bodily, and when
they we're elected two years ago on
reform platform they individually
expected to work lie on the pub
lie.
Let us hope the petition in boots
will have a strong moral effect upon
the members of the senate and
house, for 1t must be remembered
that most of these same reforms
now under consideration have been
demanded also III the republican
platforms and from q moral stand
point the republicans are as much
bound to vote for their enactment
into law as are the democrats.
These measures are for the whole
people and not for the democratic
party alone, and nothing illustrates
the rise of public opinion stronger
than did the victory of several of
these measures in the recent Den
yer city election in the face of the
determined opposition of both the
democratic and republican city or
ganizations.
1t Is the old story of first sugges-
ton OF reforms through the press,
later in party platforms. then in
numerousIy signed petitions, now
by petition in boots. and II again de-
feated by the combined interests"
may result in such . breaking up
of party ranks in this state a. may
lead some new organization to the
front with the express determination
to enact such remedial measures and
may even 60 further into thsorstie
reforms. Let both the old parties
take notice. for the petition In boota
is well toward the end Of the politi-