Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-11-03

| lnlS. TOT all SUBJECTS, Tie WOst dD-
struse and the most complicated.
The ultimate verdict, it is true, rests
with the whole people: but many, we
must admit, are the problems re.
garding which the whole people have
no adequate knowledge, to which, in
the throes OF political campaign, the
people are unable to give requisite
reflection. But the people at large
it is claimed, are brought forward in
the election of members OF iegisla-
lures: why are not the people equal
! ly fit to speak on the questions to the
consideration o. which legislatures
! devote time and talent. The differ
ence is obvious. The election of
members of legislatures is only one
question: the questions to be brought
to the attention of legislatures cover
= vast extent OF ground. The choice
upon which people at large may with
some hope of sanity Of discussion pro-
| nounce verdict: the whole scope
of legislation embraces problems of
which the multitude has no sufficient
knowledge. Here and there prob.
lem arises where the initiative and
referendum may not be out of place;
it is the universally, or even the
general use of such procedures that
true interest in the welfare of the
commonwealth condemns and re-
proves. |;
Recall Condemned.
But the worst is the recall Sta
bilty and independence in office for
ir1 NJ io1
conditions of prudent planning and
efficient execution. Liable to the re-
call, the official is continuously
watchful Of public opinion which it
is his interest to placate and hold in
check. No self-raspecting citizen
would accept office under such men,
acing conditions. And then We must
remember the peril to the public
peace OF the commonwealth. Fiji
teen or even ten Pc cent of the num-
Der OF votes at a preceding election
in all probability from
the defeated party, may force the re.
call and bring on the turmoil of a
new electoral campaign. But what
if the official has proven himself un-
worthy OF the trust reposed in him,
ests? Our laws and constitutions
provide the remedy: let him be i'm.
peached and judged by well-estab-
lished and impartial courts Here
is the remedy, without the evils of
the recall. Under the recall fac
ton, numerically small, giving no
guarantees against prejudice or per-
sonal an1mosities, decides and pun.
ishes. The recall, as proposed by
present agitators, as, indeed, prac-
ticed in few communities, is fatal
to public peace and to that security
in office without which the public
welfare cannot be subserved.
As to the Judiciary.
The peril from the recall, the cul-
mination of the political absurdities
involved in it, are seen when the re.
call is extende>> to the judiciary If
ever independence from popular
clamor is imperiously demanded. it
is when men are hidden to speak in
the name OF supreme justice, regard
less of consequences to persons or
to parties. when the intricacies OF
law require utmost skill and delica-
cacy in the unravelment, when abso-
lutte calmness of mind and deepest
study are the prerequisites to a de-
cision. Whatever the social or polit-
lcal evolutions or revolutions with
which the country may be threatened,
for the sake of America, for the sake 1
Of democracy let us pray the God of
nations, be there no sacreligious
hand laid upon the courts, impair
ing their independence, or lowering
their majesty.
The United States of America has
given to itself the most arduous task
ever taken in hands by the people of \
any country known to history-that
of establishing on broad territory
open to highest commercial and so.
cial development, large and wide
1emocracy-a government of the peo-
pie, for the people. by the people.
Let us be on our guard. lest by care
[essness and overreaching we bring
Down in ruins the edifice our fathers !
so cautiously and yet so daringly
Quilt up. The destruction of Amer
can democracy means the death of
civil and political liberty, in Ameri-
ca, in the entire world