The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1912-06-29
POuTlCALTERMS
MUCH USED

ial will be full of words more or less
loosely used to characterize the political
theories and personalities that are at
Issue. In order to put discussion into
terms of common understanding, it
would be of service to establish some
,ceptance. In any science a precise ter
minology is prime necessity. Even
in field as unscientific as politics, there
may well be glossary in order that
when different men use the same word
they may, preferably, mean the same
thing.
Here are some definitions which we
hope will be of assistance to the public
during the coming campaign. Nothing
IL more difficult than to define, and what
follows is surely fallible. But not the
least service of these definitions may lie
in discussion of their precision.
Reform: A general cerm for all pro-
positions for change. Differs in its APP
plication in different communities. For
instance in America, tariff reform means
lower tariff in England, higher.
Reformer: The original kicker, father
of the insurgent, grandfather of the pro-
gressve; great grandfather of the radi-
cal, sometimes all in one person. He
thinks to change things by changing the
form of things
Insurgent: A reformer in politics who
is fighting, usually within his party,
against some things he thinks are wrong.
Progressive: An insurgent who is fight
ing for certain definite reforms, e. g., the
Initiative, Referendum and Recall; the
Short Ballot. the direct election Of
United States senators, etc.
Liberal: One who is in sympathy with
progressive ideals, but not limited by
any hard and fast program.
Radical: A term applied to advanced
progressives, who, impatient with treat
ing only the symptoms OF evil, would re-
move the causes. They aim to change
the foundation of the social system.
Conservative: One who views with
Iim!dity any effort to change political
conditions by untried sreans; useful,
pesshustic citizen, who thinks this is a
static, not an evolving world; who hon
,sstly believes that things are as right
sas can be.
Stand-Patter: One to whom any poll
1ical change is necessarily Il change for
the worse: conservative who has a
personal or business reason for resist
ance to progress. Satisfied with the hand
dealt to him in the game of life, he
Islands pat"
React 'onary: One no thinks the flu
ture lies in the past: and generally bears
the same relation to the conservative
that the radical does to the progressive.
Demogogue: One who appeals to the
prejudices and passions or the people.
Plutagogue: One who appeals to the
preiudices and passions of the pluto
craCy.
Conservationist: conservative liberal.
His particular aim is to save from pri
vate exploitation our public lands, for
ests. water power. minerals all the So
called natural resources that have not
already been taken up by individuals.
Direct Legislation: a generic term for
the Initiative, Referendum, Recall, Short
Ballot, etc.
Initiative: The right of certain per-
centage of all vote (say twenty per
.Gent) To force the legislature to submit
a given question to referendum, even
If the legisla lure for some reason
doesn't want to.
Referendum The act of referring a
given question to all the voters for de-
cision; sort of voters veto over the
legislature. All state constitutions now
require referendum on all amendments
proposed by the legislature.
Recall: An instrument which enables
the voters to exercise the right of the
employer to dismiss the employe; j. G..
the right of the voters who have placed
"A public servant in Office to recall him
from that Office at will, even before his
term has expired.
Recall of Decisions: The right of the
voters to annul, by referendum. any
judicial decision on constitutional
question.
Short Ballot. reform to reduce the
numeAr of onic IS to be filled at any
election, and so concentrate the atten-
ton of the voters, and the authority and
responsibility of the few officials elected.
Direct Nomination: The plan of nom
mating party candidates for office by the
direct vote of the voters Of the party,
without the Intervention of conventions
Presidential Primary: A plan to let
the voters of a party, in each congress
sional district, elect delegates to the
national nominating convention-such
delegates being INSTRUCTED by the voters
TO vote for a certain presidential candi-
date.
Direct Election of Senator's: The pro-
posal to have United States senate
elected directly by the voters of each
state instead of by the state legislatures
Socialism, A movement having for it.
aim the abolition of private ownership
of the social instruments of wealth.
production; and the introduction of a
system of industry collectively owned
and denocratically managed for the
benefit of the whole community.
Tariff: A tax imported from foreign
countries, collected from the importer
at the custom-house and charged up or
the price to the consumer
Protective Tariff: A tax upon imports
liked at point high enough to discour-
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