The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-08-08
SOME DEFINITIONS
OF Words You Will Hear During
The Present Campaign.

The Present Campaign.
For the next few months, says
Everybody's, political speech and
editorial will be full of words more
or less loosely used to characterize
the political theories and personal
| tiles that are at issue. In order to
put discussion into terms of common
understanding, it would be of SER
vice to establish some definitions
that might find common acceptance.
In any science a precise Technology
is a prime necessity. Even in field
as unscientific as politics, there may
we'll be a glossary in order that
when different men use the same
word they may, preferably, mean
the same thing. Here are some
definitions which will be of assist
ance to the public during the coming
campaign.
Reform-A general term for all
propositions for change. Differs in
! it's application in different commun-
tiles. For instance, in America tar
if reform means lower tariff; in
England, higher
Reformer-The original kicker,
father of the insurgent, grandfather
of the progressive, great-grand-
father to the radical, sometimes all
| in one person. He thinks by chang
ing the form of things.
1nsurgent-A reformer in politics
who is fighting, usually within his
party, against some things he thinks
are wrong.
Progressive-An insurgent who
is fighting for certain definite re-
forms, e. g., the initiative, referen-
dunn and recall; the short ballot, the
! direct election of the United States
senators, etc.
Liberal-One who is in sympathy
with progressive ideals, but not linn
tied by any hard and fast program.
Radical-A term applied to ad-
vanced .progressives who, impatient
with treating only symptoms of evil,
would remove the cause. They aim
to change the foundation of the So
cial system.
Conservative-One who views
with timidity any effort to change
political conditions by untried
means; useful pessimistic citizen,
who thinks this is a state, not an
evolving world; who honestly be-
lieves that things are as right as
right can be.
Standpatter-One to whom any
political change is necessarily a
change for the worse; a conserva-
tive who has a personal or bust
ness reason for resistance to pro-
gress. Satisfied with the hand dealt
to him in the game of life, he
islands pat
Reactionary-One who thinks the
future lies in the past; and gener-
ally bears the same relation that the
radical does to the progressive.
Demagogue-One who appeals to
the prejudice and passions of the
people.
onservationist-A conservative
liberal. His particular aim is to
save from private exploitation our
public land forests, water-power,
minerals-all the so-called natural
resources that have not already
been taken up by individuals.
Direct Legislati'on-A generic
term for the initiative, referendum,
recall, short ballot. etc.
Initiative-The right of a certain
per centage of all voters (say 20
per cent? to force the legislature to
submit given question to a refer
endum, even if the legislature for
some reason doesn't want it.
Referendum-The act of referring
a given question to all the voters
for decision; sort of voters vote
over the legislature. All state con-
situations now require referendum
On all amendments proposed by the
legislature.
:oh
ables the voter to exercise the right
of the employer to dismiss the en-
ployed; i. e., the right of the voters
who have placed a public servant
in office to recall him from that Of
flee at will, even before his term
has expired.
Recall of Decision-The right of
the voters to annul, by referendum
any political decision on a constitu-
tional question.
Short Ballot-A reform to reduce
the number of Offices to be filled at
any election, and So concentrate the
attention of the voters, and the au-
thority and responsibility of the few
officials elected.
Direct Nomination-The plan of
nominating party candidates for Of
nee Dy the direct vote OF the voters
of the party, without the interven-
ton of conventions.
Presidential Primary-A plan to
let the voters Of a party, in each con-
gresslonal district, elect delegates to
the national nominating convention
such delegates being instructed to
vote for a certain presidential can
didate.
Direct Election of Senators-The
proposal to have United States
senators elected directly by the vot-
ers OF each state instead of by the
state legislatures.
Socialism, movement having
for it's aim the abolition of private
ownership of the social instruments
of wealth-production; and the in
PRODUCTION of a system of industry
collectively owned and democratical-
Nv managed for the henefit of the