The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1910-06-13

TO drive the special interests out OF
politics is vast undertaking, for II
politics lies their strength. II they re
sist. as doubtless they will, 1t will cal.
for, nerve, endurance and sacrifice or.
the part OF the people. 1t will be nc
child's play. for the power OF privilege
Is great. But the power of our people
is greater still. and their steadfastness
Is equal to the need. The task Is
tremendous one both in the demand
1t will make and the rewards it vii
bring. 1t must be undertaken s0herly
carried out firmly and Justly and re-
lentlessly followed to the very end
Two things alone can bring success
The first Is honesty Ia public men
without With no popular government
can long succeed. The second Is com
plete publicity of all the affairs II
which he public has an interest. sucl
as the business Of corporations and po
litical expenses during campaigns unO
between them. To these ends many
unfaithful public servants must be re-
tired much wise legislation must be
framed and passed. and the struggle
will be bitter and long. But It will be
we'll worth all it will cost, for self gov.
eminent is ut stake.
r.. No Legislative Cure all.
There can be no legislative cure-all
for great political evils. but legislation
can make easier the effective expires,
sion and execution of the popular will
One step in this direction which per
sopally believe should be taken with
out delay is law forbidding any sena.
tor or member of congress or Other
public servant to perform any serv.
ices for any corporation engaged in in.
terState commerce or to accept any
valuable consideration, directly or in,
directly. from any such corporation.
while he is Il representative of the PEG.
pie and for Il reasonable time there.
after. If such a law would be good fol
the nation in it's affairs similar law
should be good for the states and the
cities III their affairs. And l see nc
state legislators should not keep the
people informed of their pecuniary in.
terest in Interstate or public service
corporations, if they have any. 1t is
certain such publicity would do the
public no harm. t. -...-..=
This nation has decided to do away
with government by money for profit
and return to the government our fore.
fathers died for and gave to us-goy-
eminent by men for human welfare
and human progress.
Opposition to progress has produced
it's natural results. There are profound
diSsa tisfaction and unrest and pro-
found cause for both. Yet the country
is awake. For a generation at least
there has not been a situation so prom
Using for the ultimate public welfare
as that OF today. Our people are like
a hive of bees-full of agita ton before
taking fight to a better place. Also
they are ready to sting. Out of the
whole situation shines the confident
hope of better things. If any man is
discouraged let him consider the rise
of cleaner, standards in this country
within the last ten years. -...
The task of translating these new
standards into action lies before us.
From sea to sea the people are taking
a fresh grip on their own affairs. The
conservation of political liberty will
take it's proper place alongside the con
servation of the means of living, and
in both we shall look to the permanent
welfare of the plain people as the SUI
preme end. The way out lies in direct
interest of the people in their own at
fairs and direct action in the few great
things that really count.
What is the conclusion of the whole
matter? The special interests must be
put out of politics. I believe the young
men will do it. -