United labor bulletin., 1910-03-11

As already indicated IN my previous
articles, the initiative, referendum and
the recall will do away with bribery and
corruption in our legislative bodies. espe-
cially in the in the city council. This is
a great evil under present conditions,
and laws and ordinances passed by un-
fair means are as good before court of
equity as others.
Not all legislative, council members
are dishonest. But suppose one-third of
the members of the city council are abb
solutely honest and competent, another
third may be and frequently is composed
OF the supporters of certain special in
terests, be they railroad, street car,
liquor, gambling, general corporation in
terests or Others
At any time when these special inter
ests want law or ordinance passed or
to prevent one from beng passed, they
do not have to buy or bribe their own
friends; the first named members of the
council they can get; so they put in
their work among the remaining third,
composed largely of inexperienced men
that are not on record for any particular
position Only small portion of these
men are needed in council, and they
are gathered in by the lobby through such
means as will bring the desired results,
from playing on their vanities to the vul-
gar cash bribe
The result usually proposed is to vote
for honest men
| But this advice has oeen given as long
as there has been representative govern
ment, and, without doubt. there is more
feerruptior among feg,slarfve bodies.
councils. now than ever before. The ad-
vice cannot be followed, and this sort
OF a remedy has no practical value
But if all laws could be referred to the
people, bribery, corruption and graft
would cease among the members of city
councils. and legislative bodies. No in
dividual or corporation would spend their
money and time in working through a
measure against the interests Of the peo-
pie, when they knew that the people
themselves could prevent it from going
into effect; and for the same reason no
lobbies would be employed to influence
legislation by unfair or corrupt means
The members of the city council and
legislative bodies in general would then
become unhampered and free to exercise
their own Judgment, and carry out thu
desires of their constituents, not only be.
cause corrupt influences would not in
terfere with their action, but also be-
cause when this condition was generally
known by the people. the motives of the
i representatives would not be questioned.
as they are apt to be under present con-
ditions. no matter how hozest or sincere
they may be.
Some people have the Impression that
there is a remedy now. against getting
and keeping bad laws. by choosing diner
ent representatives from those that have
gone wrong. Neither does this work out
in practice.
=, The policy as now advocated by so
many labor leaders. ito punish our
enemies and reward our friends" is ri
diculous.
In the first place, the new representa-
tives. or friends of labor" while not re-
peating the same offense. may do some
thing else just as bad. and detrimental.
to the best interests Of labor. as "our
enemies did"
In the second place. too often nothing
can be gained by repeating the law that
has been enacted against the peoples
wish, against the best interests of labor,
when it finally can be reached
For instance. If law is passed grant
ing franchise with exceptionally favor
able conditions to a corporation. thus en-
dangerlng the interests of all the people
Of a community. the corporation Will ac-
cept the franchise and commence opera
tion under it. after which 1t will remain
in force for the time ii was granted.
even if the law that created It is repealed.
So. too. in case Of extravagant appro-
priatiors and similar cases, the mischief
win be done before any repeal can reach
them.
The REFERENDUM locks the door be-
fore the horse is stolen. while now, at
best. 1t is only locked afterwards.
There is at present much agitation
against boss rule, machine rule, and gang
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