The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-10-07
Hearst,s Independence League.

Hearst's Independence League.
Both the Saratoga and Rochester con-
ventions took stand for direct nominal
tions-the Republicans vaguely and eva
siyely and the Democrats clearly. II not
eomprehensively-but It has remained for
the Independence League IN its platform
to meet the issSe OF popular government
souarely and satisfactorily. It says:
First and foremost We declare for and fearirm
our belief IN genuine direct nominations State
vide in its application TO every elective onice.
doing away completely With the party conventions.
In order that the system Of direct nominations
may DO genuine and effective We demand personal
enrolment and registration Throughout the entire
State. Official primary ballot. and the extension
10 primary elections Of ali the safeguards that
have been effective IN limiting repeating and
frauds at general elections, and in particular. the
signature law as nov applied 10 general elections
Once more We call 70 the attention Of the III
telgent voters OF the State The vital Necessity
Of ballot reform. and pledge our support Il the
Massachusetts, form Of ballot. that tie viii Of
the voter may be clearly expressed and easily
ascertained and the ballots may be accurately
counted
We believe IN the principles OF the initiative
and referendum, and we particularly declare that
no franchise grant o. Importance should become
effective until the terms and conditions hare been
approved BY popular vote in the locality inter
ested.
The power to make officials resides in the people.
and in them also should reside the power 20 IN
make and remove from Office any Official who
demonstrates his uuhtness OF betrays the public
trust We therefore demand for the people. under
/ reasonable and proper safeguards against abuse,
the right 10 recall public officials from ITO pub
lie service.
We shall oontinus 10 work for the popular cleo
tion q United States senators. and pending a
constitutional amendment demand an In
structivs vote 10 the legislature fOE United States
Senator's
Whatever may be thought Of Hearstism.
these declarations are sane and safe. and
yet truly progressive. They ring true.
Either OF the old boss-ridden parties in
the Empire State would be infinitely
stronger before the people to-day II It
were championing the cause OF political
reform as the Independence League is
ehampioning it.
Roosevelt's triumph at Saratoga was
personal Il involved thessubstitution Of
a new and popular bossism for an old
and odious bossism, but still under the
time-worn system. And there is scant
assurance that the Republicans OF the
state. now newly led, seriously intend any
radical reform or betterment Of that sys-
tenn, for, after all the hullabaloo raised
over Il, the Saratoga platform dismissed
the direct nominations idea with an In
definite Endorsement of the principles pro-
mulgated by hughes, and. having cap
tured the party organization Mr.. Roose-
Welt has placed at its head. in Chairman
Prentice. an avowed and uncomprom!sing
foe Of direct nominations and the whole
primary system.
The Murphyized convention at Roches-
ter thanks TO the fact that its platform.
unlike its ticket. was not boss-made.
pledged the Democratic party 10 support
Statewide primary plan. with direct
iibAAiAAioAAptlsb AilA mus Buhb AAb&c tan
gible evidence Of interest in the problems;
but It's declarations are strikIngly deficient
in contrast with the specific and honest
demands of the Independence League.
Mr.. Hearsts party In courageously
standing for principles and refusing TO
compromise itself or its leader by be-
coming an adjunct of either Of the old
parties, commands a respect which Will
extend beyond New York State. It Is on
the right track, and. whatever the tempo
rary mischief it makes. the cause OF pop
ular government will profit from 1t in the
end
Hearst is no more radical than la Fol
lette, Bristow. and other Western in
surgents who have been taken 10 the
@. o. p. bosom. He is a progressive of
the type that the whole country is now
disposed to shout for