The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1912-09-27


OF free government is the secret ballot
There can be no such thing as a fai
expression Of the public without th,
secret ballot. The republican part,
stands for the secret ballot. Itgave tn,
peopls Of Michigan the Australian ballo
in 1889 and since that time every votel
in the state has been free to cast hi.
ballot without intimidation or fear o.
persecution.
1.-The right OF the people to administer
their local affairs without undue inter.
ference from without is cardinal
principle of popular rule. Our consti
tutional convention of 1908 composed
almost wholly of republicans, provided
for home rule for cities and other
municipalities of this state. Michigau
is among the first of all the states of the
Union to inaugurate their great reform
The legislature of 1907, the last under
our old constitution passed upwards oil
45O laws regulating the local affairs oil
particular localities. This power has
been taken away from the legislature
and cities, villages, townships and
counties may now administer their own
purely local affairs under general laws
thereby destroying for all time in Michi-
gan the possibility of giving away
franchise or forcing upon any com.
munity. ill-advised or hasty legislation
without its knowledge or consent.
Under proper safeguards :cities may
own and operate their public facilities.
First With Live Issues.
"The initiative, the referendum, and
the recall may be introduced into
municipal government with the attend.
ant advantages of the short ballot and
fewer elective officers, as suggested by
President Taft in his letter Of accept
ance.
During the past five or six years we
have developed the system OF direct
nomination until it DOW includes United
States senator's, governor, lieutenant
governor, members of congress, mem
bers of the state legislature, circuit
judges and county officials.
"AC amendment has recently been
to the federal constitution and
to the several states provid-
ing for the election of United States
senators by direct vote of the people.
The platform of the repu ublican party Of
this state adopted in September, 1910,
declared in favor OF popular election OF
senators, and republican members of
congress from Michigan have uniformly
voted in favor Of the proposition when
ever presented for the past 20 years.
"The present state legislature enacted
a presidential preference law and here
after delegates to national conventions
from this state will act under instruc-
tions from the people, So far, therefore.
as Michigan is concerned for the future.
nothing will stand between the voters
OF any party and the free expression
of their choice of candidates for practi
cally every elective office of the govern.
ment from president of the United
States to coroner of the county.
"Who shall say that this marvellous
progress which self government has
been making all the world around.
particularly during the rast 10 years of
republican rule in America, has not at
least been inspired by our example and
cheered on by what we have been doing
here under the American flag.
Michigan Even the Leader
"But it is said that this is an era of
social and industrial injustice and that
he conscience of the country is aroused.
1t is said that the greatest problem of
.he hour is the conversation of humanity
md that the highest function of the
government is to better the conditions Of
he common men.
with this splendid doctrine the re-
publican party always has been in hearty
lccord am making no idle boast
when assert that the republican party
las done more in the so years of its
existence to better the conditions of the
common man than any other political
that has ever existed in
my age or in any land.
"a few days ago distinguished gov.
,rnor of a western state made trip
through Michigan by special train in
behalf Of new party. Among other
hings he told our people here in Michi.
IAN OF the evils OF child labor. He
pointed out the deplorable fact that
wen under our flag two million children
" tender years who ought to be In
school are employed at a mere pittance
a the mills and factories of this country
Ind that their little lives are being
sacrificed to swell the profits of greed.
As he addressed the people OF our