Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-05-17


- cry political conversation
and speech and editorial 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 1t would be OF serY-
ice 10 establish some definitions
that might find common aceep'
lance. In any science precise
Technology is a prime necessity.
/ Even IN field as unscientific as
politics there may well 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 will be of assistance TO
the public during the. coming cam
paign. Nothing is more difficult
than TO define and what follows is
surely falllble. 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 lighting, usually with
in his party, against some things
he thinks are wrong.
PROGRESSIvE.-An insurgent
who is fighting for certain definite
reforms, e. G., the initiative, refer
endum and recall; the short ballot
the direct election of United States
senator's, 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 adj
vanced progressives who, impa-
tent with treating only the symp-
toms of evil. would remove the
causes. They aim to change the
foundation of the social system.
CONSERVATIYE.-One who
views with timidity any effort to
change political conditions by I'M
tried means; useful, pessimistic
citizen, who thinks this is static,
not an evolving, world; who honest
ly believes that things are as right
as can be.
STANDPATTER.-One to whom
any political change is necessarily
a change for the worse; a conserv-
alive who has a personal or bust
ness reason for resistance to prog
ress. Satisfied with the hand dealt
to him in the game of life he
Stands pat.'
REACTIONARY.--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-all the so cali
ed natural resources that have not
already been taken up by indiyid-
uals.
DIRECT LEGISLATTON.--A gen
eric term for the initiative, referen-
dunn, recall, short ballot, etc.
INITIATIVE.-The right Of a GER
tain percentage OF all voters (say
20 per cent? to force the legislature
to submit given question to a 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 to exercise the
right of the employer to dismiss the
employed-i e., the right Of the
voters who have placed a public
servant in office to recall him from
that Office at win, even before his
term has expired.
RECALL OF DECISION.-The
right of the voters TO annul by
referendum any judicial decision on
a constitutional question.
SHORT BALBOA reform to
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