Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1911-06-08

cries which were supposed to be his
political stock in trade. hut they reck
oned without their man. They did EUt
realize that all of Governor Wilson's
life had been training for active
participation In politics and that lis
studies aud research into political his
tory aud political methods had g.vel,
him wider Knowledge of the power
Of the people under aggressive leader
ship than any of the bosses of eithe!
party possessed. His whole political
theory is based upon the right of IN
people to rule and their power to ruit
when their efforts are properly concen
trated, and he demonstrated this; H.
theory was correct when one after u.i
other his proposed reforms We're
forced through the Legislature By tn.
power of public opinion.
Even before Governor Wilson took
his seat in the executive chamber be
had won IA victory over the losses in
his own party. which had inspired th.'
people with renewed confidence and
terrorzed the professional politicians
who were inclined to oppose his re-
forms. The election of n United States
senator from New Jersey was the first
important work for the new Legislature
to undertake James Smith. .Jr.. iun@
cratic party in the state. had decided
that he wanted this particular plum
for himself. and he announced hui
self as a candidate. but at the pri
maries held early In 1910 James \
MARITIME. clean and popular citizen.
had been candidate for the senatOriai
nomination and had received the in
dorsement of the people at the polls
Smiths name had not been presented
ut the primaries. This did not make
any difference to Smith who thought
that his power as boss was sufficient to
override the will Of the people. Gov
ernOr- Elect Wilson declared that Smi b
should not he senator. that he had no
claim upon the Office and that MARITIME
had the strongest claim Of all. that of
popular Endorsement. The fight be
tween the old boss and the new leader
was short. sharp and decisive. Back
ID Ivy public opinion. the new governor
won. and MARITIME was elected senator
on the first ballot.
With these triumphs to his credit Il
is small wonder that the people OF the
Crited States are coming to look upon
Woodrow Wilson RS one of the great
est political leaders who have been de
vcloped in recent years. A progressive
" the progressives. II does not worry
Governor Wilson any to he called
radical. In fact. he calls himself a
radical. II am radical" said Governor
Wilson recently. ''and the first e.e
:nent Of my radicalism Ia: Let's &c,
nj the root Of the whole thing and
resume popular government. We
mean to have the kind Of government
We thought we had. am ready to
raw the initiative and referendum at
qny time believe In 1t. l have NOT
he slightest fear Of its disturbing our
heory of representative government
don't worry about theories anyhow:
IS facts that worry me. The fact IS
We In New Jersey have not got any
hing but the theory. while In states
There they have tried 1t the initiativ"
nd referendum has given them back
preventative government. II works
on know. without being called on t.
york at all. Where legislative repre-
ontatives know that II they fail real
= to represent. the people have the
"ower to take the legislation back into
heir own hands. those repres' natives
have an effective motive to represent
The initiative and referendum Is li..>
gun behind the door-for use In case
NJ emergency. but mighty good per
sucder nevertheless"
II is perhaps unnecessary to add to
this explanation Of Governor Wilson's
attitude toward public affairs tina,