The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1911-07-07

teeixIstlon which wsuld CORRECT tAsfn
evil practices. They DO tAs n the
main through the influence - the
lobby set Of .astute. polite ana
corrupting agents smploysd especial
" to defeat legislation of . nature
which IL aimed to protect the public
from those who would fatten upon u
through unrighteous and exceptional
privileges. The people have for years
discussed and tried to remedy this
evil in government. 1t has. however. /,
grown constantly worse. Many think
there Is no lawful remedy.
The remedy Is not alone to hang .
mob-back Of that. and In order that
there should be no mob, and no prov
ocation Of one, the first wrong cause
should be removed. Disband the
lobby. Prevent it's harmful influence.
Restore to the people their legisls-
ture untrammeled by the distractions
OF those who would make II IN un-
representative body; let the people
understand that in that body, estab-
lished as a means OF expressing the
public veal for the public good and
government, IL safely vested the law
making power. Thus let them see
that they may In confidence then rest
the matter of all remedial action In
providing means to conserve the pub
lie welfare and peace and safety.
Sore Disappointment.
affirm that the legislature Of
Kentucky has for 20 years and more
been a sore disappointment. In the
main, to the public. There have been
notable instances Of high-minded and
patriotic members IN that body dur
ing that time. But the dominant In
fiuence has been pernicious; 1t has
obstructed wholesome, remedial leg
islation; II has foiled the public de-
mand; II has thwarted the public
purpose; 1t has grown to be called a
reproach to the state. Thus has been
formed, slowly but gradually, the opin-
ion In the public mind. that the law
making body was inadequate to grant
means of redress of public oppres-
sion. The opinion has grown iRto
indignation and deep distrust. There
has consequently grown contempt
for law and denial Of its efficiency.
The remedy OF violence Is wrong
is unjustifiable. The true remedy is
to remove the controlling cause. AS
the doctors now say, Swat the fly
that spreads the disease" 1t Is bet
ter than to have to treat the disease
when it becomes an eruption.
Should Have Power to Recall.
II legislation aimed against the
lobby is not sufficient, then let the
people take into their own hands.
whence all power of government orig
mates, the making Of laws which
their legislature will not enact, and
the repeating and vetoing Of laws
which 1t does enact contrary to the
public will and good. Then let them
add the power Of recalling faithless,
negligent or corrupt public
officials who fail in the proper dis
charge of thier official duties. Then
let them by direct popular action,
conducted under general law and
by public officials, select the nomi-
nees for public Offices, In statewide
primary. held on the same day by the
same officers, for all parties, ballots.
booths and officers being furnished
at the public expense. Then let them
elect United States senators ~ direct
popular vote. Then add corrupt
practices act that will prevent cor
ruption in elections, by preventing
the gathering up or using OF big cam
paign funds make all candidates and
party managers publish before and
after elections. primary and state,
complete and verified accounts Of su
receipts and expenditures, showing
from whom received, how much from
each and how expended. The amount
should be limited to actual necessary
and proper expenses OF advertising,
speaking. travelling. postage. clerks.
and the like. II our public ofhcisls
are elected by bribery and corruption
Of the voters; II when elected they
are subjected 20 the influece Of a cor
ruptng lobby; II the means Of corrup-
ton are furnished by special inter-
ests which are enjoying immunities
and unjust privileges from the pub
lie, how can you expect the public TO
have faith In their representation or
heir work.
Favors AbolIshlns Lobby. 4
I therefore favor abolishing the
obby, the notorious third house,"
and II necessary TO correct It's evil
influence. would have restored 10
he people the power OF direct legis-
alton when the people saw proper 10
exercise it, and teh power to recall
aithless officials who will not or can
,ot or do not discharge their public
.uties. In this way would ths people
be more nearly represented In the
making as well as in the execution OF
heir laws. In case OF a mob. let tho
power OF recall be further secured by
placing In the governor the power 10
'emovs summariiy. and until his case
Gould be tried by the senate. or other
proper judicial tribunal. any peace
.No.r IN u.hoso ftspladieffcxl n xuo1