St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1912-03-20
Representative Government.

Representative Government.
1t is evident that the United
States is facing something more
than a political contest in the rivalry
of the two leading candidates for the
republican nomination for the presi-
dency. There is an increasing hos
tility against The representative form
of government under which this ma
ton has always existed. More and
more the people are calling for the
elimination of any check between
the will of the majority and the leg
islative, executive and judicial
powers granted by the constitution.
They are chatting under the work
ings OF the present system and urg-
ing the infallibility of the majority,
tending toward democracy in real
ity. Therefore it is well for the peo-
pie to consider with care some Of
the fundamental principles of the
government.
The government was not founded
as a democracy but as a represen-
tative government in which it was
expected the men best fitted should
make and execute the laws. The
people were given a direct voice in
the choice of their representatives
in the lower house of congress and
the representatives of the people
in the state legislature were to elect
the members of the United States
senate and originally the states were
to elect the president also. This
has been changed until now the peo-
pie of the state determine whom
their presidential electors shall vote
for. Still the president is not elect
ed by the majority of all the people
of the United States but by the
electors of a majority of the states.
1t probably would be a more just
system to have a majority of all the
voters elect and this may be brought
about by a change in the constitu-
ton. The system is a good one but
the people have failed to send men
specially fitted for legislative work
and they blame the system
1t is inconsistent to charge our
present defects to the system and
the various proposals calling for the
initiative, the referendum and the
recall are not sure remedies for pre-
sent ills. People who do not take
s,,4o-or+ arOvgb IN IaoioIativa offafrz
to secure the election of honest and
efficient representatives are not the
proper authorities to initiate legis-
lation. People are unable to study
both sides of a law and have no
power to amend law in the case of
a referendum. The recall gives no
public officer an opportunity to be
heard in his own defense and so
works an injustice. None of these
plans can bring better results un-
less the people who are Indifferent,
ignorant and preiudiced become in
terested, educated and fair minded,
and this change cannot be guaran-
teed under the new order.
Under our present system laws
are proposed by men who have some
knowledge of what it is possible to
accomplish by law, who have the
opportunity to hear arguments pro
and con on the measure and pur-
pose whatever amendments they
feel will improve them and can re-
peal any law that fails to work for
the public good Under the present
system the people can, if they as
sert themselves, secure able and
honest men to make their laws, men
who have the opportunity to learn
how the proposed law will affect the
whole and not a portion of the peo-
pie under the new syetem now be-
ing agitated the worst and most
ignorant men will have an equal
voice with the best in de-
Gliding what the law shall
be. We cannot believe a change in
our system of government is wise OF
necessary. We should give the peo'
pie free and full voice in the selec'
ton Of their public servants but we
should continue to. do as our fore
fathers did when the constitution
was framed, the same as the people
did when the nation was rent In
twain over the issue Of slavery and