Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1911-05-19
WHOLE NUMBER 26l3

realize that all of Governor Wilson =
life had been q traiu!ng for active
participation In politics and that his
studies and research into political his
tory and political methods had given
him Il wider knowledge OF the power
Of the people under aggressive leader
ship than any of the bosses Of either
party possessed His whole political
theory is based upon the right Of the
people to rule and their power to rule
when their efforts are properly concen
trated. and he demonstrated that his
theory WAS correct when one after an
other his proposed reforms were
forced through the legislature by the
power Of public opinion.
Even before Governor Wilson took
his seat III the executive chamber he
had won victory over the bosses in
his own party. which had inspired the
people with renewed confidence and
terrorized the professional politicians
who were Inclined TO oppose his re
forms. The election of Il United States
senator from New Jersey was the first
important work for the new legislature
to undertake James Smith. Jr., long
known as the big boss Of the Demo
cratic party in the state, had decided
that he wanted this particular plum
for himself. and he announced him
self as candidate, but at the pri-
maries held early In 1910 james 4.
MARITIME. clean and popular citizen,
had been candidate for the senatorial
nomination and had received the In
dorsement Of the people at the polls.
Smiths name had not been presented
at 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 Smith
should not be senator, that he had no
claim upon the office and that MARITIME
had the strongest claim Of oil, that of
popular Endorsement. The fight be-
tween the old boss and the new leader
was short. sharp and decisive. Back
ed by public opinion. the new governor
won. and MARITIME was elected senator
on the first ballot.
With these triumphs to his credit It
is small wonder that the people Of the
United States are coming to look upon
Woodrow Wilson rs one Of the great
est political leaders who have been de-
veloped in recent years. A progressive
Of the progressives. 1t does not worry
Governor Wilson any to be called
radical. In fact, he calls himself a
radical. 81 am radical" said Governor
Wilson recently. ''and the first ele-
ment OF my radicalism IS: Let's get
Mt the root of the whole thing and
resume popular government. We
mean to have the kind of government
we thought we had l am ready to
draw the initiative and referendum at
any time. l believe In 1t. l have not
the slightest fear of its disturbing our
theory Of representative government.
It's facts that worry me. The fact Is
we In New Jersey have not got any
thing but the theory, while In states
where they have tried 1t the initiative
and referendum has given them back
representative government. 1t works.
you know. without being called on to
work ut all. Where legislative repre-
sentatives know that II they fail real
ly to represent, the people have the
power to take the legislation back into
their own hands, those representatives
have an effective motive to represent.
The initiative and referendum is like
n gun behind the door-for use in case
of emergency. but mighty good per-
suader nevertheless"
1t Is perhaps unnecessary to add to
this explanation Of Governor Wilson's
attitude toward public affairs that