The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-02-26

inns Hh'ioh is greater tndh any con-
stitution."
am OF the firm belief that there
is grave menace 20 the peace and
safety o. Michigan whenever the indi-
Gated rights of the people are with
held. The effect of Withholding these
rights. now for the first time so plain
~ marked and desired in Michigan.
may nog he Immediately apparent The
resulting harm is more apt TO be Gu
mulative and burst forth in passionate
reprisals, in revolutions long delayed
and in political upheavals that may
be both unwholesome and destructive
Every social cataclysm has been pre-
coded ny years Of cause i'm which the
strong have oppressed the weak in one
way or another. who knows what the
harvest OF destruction may be from
such seed sowing? The minute bacter-
ium tuberculosis. translucent and
grayish, a nodule the size of millet
seed comparatively easy of discov-
cry is the cause Of the white plague.
and a grim terror of civilization. Its
presence may be everywhere and un-
known. No one would think of invit-
ing it or aggravating IL. What then
are we 10 think OF the bacillus of social
unrest, If | may he permitted the sim
lie? IL cannot be seen or measured
by the most powerful microscope. III
is formless and colorless and so sub
tie and insidious as TO be the most
deadly germ that threatens popular
government. Who will SOW it broad
cast9 Who Knows whom IL is being
sown? Who planted the deadly seeds
OF the French Revolution When were
they distributed and permitted to in
oculate the heart. mind and soul of
France? Far easier is IL to detect
the little leaks that leopard the dykes
OF Holland. Surer and palmer the
knowledge of the structural weakness
in the death-dealing dams built by
foolish men at Johnstown and Austin |
Shall we so fatuousy and plainly in |
vito popular disappointment and dis |
and their disturbing ef- |
that which the people desire and is
their wholesome right to have?
This is not the theatrical language |
of one who wishes to perpetuate him. |
self i'm office. but of one who like |
loves his state and whose
chefest ambition is to serve it UNI
only last week Mr.. f. II. !
Gary Of New York. president of the
United States Steel Corporation, made
statements more startling than these
when he proclaimed that the situa-
ion i'm America today is similar TO theI
in France just prior to the
Reign of Terror there. Il do not think
we are as badly off as that. but I do
wish 10 repeat and to emphasize to you
the fact that the peace and safety
Of our state is endangered every time
any plainly known rights OF the peo-
pie are withheld.
on every farm and in every work
shop and factory in mines and wher-
ever worllingmen congregate, there
are multitudes who restlessly and
ightfully demandra fuller opportunity
o participate i'm affairs of government
without being watched by bosses and
hose OF unusual strength and inHu-
'nce about them. Their desire for a
presidential primary law is deeply
'ooted and causes them to feel that
without ii they not only are often not
represented but may be misrepresent-
d, This state of mind can easily be
with the result that finally
/ critical condition is set up. Nothing
AS more direct bearing upon the
iafety of the state than that proper
ervants shall be chosen, from highest
O lowest place. and that all the peo-
lie shall he given the best medium
f participating in the choice and the
resh opportunity Of using that me-
ium. So I am confident that this
natter will have your consideration
pon It's merits. without resort to
echnical and confusing hair splitting
r thought OF personal feeling. II Isl
within your power to act so promptly
hat the first presidential primary '
lection may occur at the April cleo r
ion this year. which would be a great {
aving of expense.
Workmen's Compensation,
The Employers Liability and Work q
nenis Compensation Commission, i
reated by this legislature, has COM T
leted and issued a valuable report. .
hat commission composed of Hal II.
NTH, Chairman, Charles r. Sigh.
lichael r. McCuen. William p. Bel a
en- and Ora +. Reaves with Richard n
. Drake, secretary, has done a pain I
-aking and patriotic work which u
Mould have general approval The Il
ate OF Michigan IL indebted to It, y
he federal government and many II
ates have given attention to the inn u
)rtant questions involved. A bill has o.
zen prepared by your commission D
hich ! respectfully call to your at :
ntion and request for 1t your fav- g
able consideration. The argumentsl U
r the law proposed are unanswer- N
DE. ] directed your attention to this
bjcct i'm my inaugural message Your p'
rly action will hasten the day when III
all start a more just and wise and |"
lppy distribution of the hazard OF w
dustridl employment. In this ques- =
IN alone l could find easy justifica- >
IN for converting this legislature in
ira ordinary eagcfop II Won eposfI