Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-05-18

itSS ioOSely ustu W ma ~ 49,
political theories and personalities
that are at issue. in order to put
discussion into terms Of common
understanding it would be of serv-
ice to establish some definitions
that might find common accep-
lance. In any science a precise
) Technology is a prime necessity.
Even in a field as unscientific as
politics there may wei be a CLOS
sary In order that when different
men use the same word they
may, preferably, mean the same
thing.
Here are some definitions which
we hope win be Of assistance to
the public during the coming cam
paign. Nothing is 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 term for
all propositions for change. Differs
in its application in different com
munities. For instance, In Ameri-
ca tariff reform means lower tar
if; in England, higher.
REFORMER.- The original kick
err, father of the insurgent, grand
father of the progressive, great
grandfather of the radical, some
times all in one person. He thinks
to change things by changing the
form of things.
INSURGENT.--A reformer in pol
tiles who is fighting, usually with
in his party, against some things
he thinks are wrong.
PROGRESSIYE--An insurgent
who is lighting for certain definite
reforms, g. g., the initiative. refer
endum and recall; the short ballot,
the direct election of United States
senators. etc.
LIBERAL--One who is In SYM
pathy with progressive ideals, but
not limited by any hard and fast
program.
RADICAL.--A term applied to ad-
vanced progressives who, impa-
tient with treating only the syInp-
toms of evil, would remove the
causes. They aim to change the
foundation of the social system.
CONSERVATIVE-One who
views with timidity any effort to
change political conditions by un.
tried means; n useful, pessimistic
citizen, who thinks this Is static,
not an evolving. world. who honest
) ly believes that things are as right
as can be.
STANDARDIZED to whom
any political change is necessarily
a change for the worse: conserv-
) alive who has a personal or busi-
ness reason for resistance TO prog
} ress. Satisfied with the hand dealt
to him in the game Of life he
) Stands pat"
REACrIONARY.-One who thinks
the future lies in the past, and gen
) orally bears the same relation to
the conservative that the radical
} does to the progressive.
DEMAGOGUE.-One who appeals
to the prejudices and passions Of
the people.
CONSERVATIONIST. A CON
sentative liberal His particular
aim is to save from private exploit
tation our public lands, forests. wa
, ter power, minerals-al the so call
ed natural resources that have not
already been taken up by individ-
uals.
DIRECT LEGISLATION.-Ag gen
eric term for the initiative, referen.
dunn, recall, short ballot, etc.
1NITIATINE.-The right of a GER
tain percentage Of an voters (say
20 per cent? 10 force the legislature
to submit a given question to ref
erendum, even if the legislature for
some reason doesn't want to.
REFERENDUM.-The act of re-
ferring given question to all the
voters for decision; a sort Of voters
veto over the legislature. All state
constitutions now require a refer
endum on all amendments propos-
ed by the legislature.
RECALL.-An instrument which
enables the voters o. exercise the
right of the employer 10 dismiss the
) employed-L @, the right Of the
voters who have placed a public
servant in office TO recall him from
that office ut will. even before his
term has expired
RECALL OF DECISION.-Tbe
right Of the voters to aunul by a
referendum any judicial decision on
a constitutional question
SHORT BALBOA reform 10
reduce the number OF Offices TO be
filed at any election and so concen-
trate the attention Of the voters and
the authority and responsibility OF
the few officials elected
DIRECT NOMINATION. The
plan Of nominating party candl-
dates for office by the direct vote Of
The voters Of the party without the
Intervention Of conventions.
PRESIDENTIAL pnNLARY A