Daily Arizona silver belt., 1910-05-05
PEOPLE AND THEIR GOVERNMENT

GOThE AND Ir16lh 0OP GhNMEN1
 Do you ever wonder just why it is that things which the people wish very much and need very much are so very hard to get, when in theory this is government by, of and for the people?
 Of course you have blamed it to Aldrich and Cannon and their like; but did you ever stop to account for Aldrich and Cannon? They aren't the whole story; there is something wrong, something very deep-seated or they wouldn't be possible in republic Such men might stand in the way of a peoples needs and aspirations in czardom or an absolute monarchy; but doesn't it seem little strange, to say the least, that they are able to defeat the peoples will in a republic?
 The people want government in their inter ests and they get government in the interests of the greedy few who exploit the people for their own profit The people want tariffs made in statesmanlike manner, to realize the great est good for the greatest number, and they get tariffs devised to tax the many for the exces- sive profit of few. The people want a parcels post and postal savings banks and old age pen sions and lots of things like that; but they can't get them Why is this, when this is a democ- racy9
 Because the people don't own their own gov ernment Because custom and the peoples neglect have built up so many obstacles between the peoples will and government that it is only rarely that government responds to the peoples will.
 You are permitted to vote for president, but you are restricted to choice between two men put up by party. organizations, and you had nothing whatever to do with making these se- lections You are not permitted to vote for United States senators; the legislatures pick these and although you elect members of the legislature it is hard, if not impossible, to get your choice for senator that way. You can vote for many officers, but always you are restricted to what the parties offer you. The only step that has been taken to bring the peoples will and government closer together is the primary election system, and you will remember that that system has been fought bitterly by every interest which profits by keeping the people and their government far apart.
 What is needed is that the people should own their own government. They should pick their own candidates for all elective offices from pres ident down, and political bosses, who always are servants of special interests, shouldn't be allowed to do the choosing. The people should be able to control the making of their own laws by direct vote. If lawmakers refuse to pass law the people wish, it should be possible for the people to initiate such a law to have it referred to them for their consideration, and to enact it l if the law-making body is recreant to its duty. If the lawmaking body passes law that is clear
 y against the interests of the people, the people should have the power to demand that that law be referred to them for consideration, and to veto it if it does not please them. If lawmakers or public officers in naton state or city are un- faithful to their public trust, the people should have the power to call an election upon the ques tion whether or not they shall be deposed
 The people don own their government. That is why it does not work their will. The ma chinery of custom and blind partisanship stands between the people and the government This machinery must be broken down and the govern ment made promptly responsive to the peoples will. He is blind indeed who does not see that this change is coming about. When it comes about, if the people want the parcels post they will get it. If they want the right kind of postal savings banks, they will get them. If they want tariffs made in their interests, they will get them. If true democracy such as this IS going to be, the people will rule literally. Now they rule only figuratively; really the reins of gov ernment are in the hands of a co-partnership of big business and corrupt politics; of bosssm and special privilege.