New-York tribune., 1912-04-04
Refer Decisions to the People.

have proposed a practical and con-
stitutional method OF righting these
wrongs while leaving the Judge and the
Independence Of the Judge absolutely
untouched) by letting the constitution
ality Of certain acts, when decided un-
constitutional by the courts, be referred
for decision to the people. who them
selves made the constitution.
To denounce such a proposition as
putting the AK to the tree OF freedom
without proposing any more workable
or better remedy is to champion the
cause OF the special interests, in whose
favor, as against the people and against
the cause Of Justice, the courts have de-
cided In other words, such action is
nakedly in favor Of the interests OF
privilege and against the rule ct the
people; and il speaks far louder than
any words Of perfunctory adherence to
the principle Of the rule Of the people.
Every man who fights fearlessly and
effectively against special privilege in
any form is to that extent Progressive.
upholds privilege and favors the special
interests, whether he acts from evil mo-
tives or merely because he is puzzle
headed or dull Of mental vision. or lack
ina in social sympathy, or whether he
simply lacks interest in the subject, is
a reactIonary.
Every man is To that extent a progressive
n he stands for any form Of social justice,
whether il is securing proper potecuon
for factory girls against dangerous ma
Chincry or securing proper limitation
Of hours of labor for women and children
in industry. for securing proper living
conditions for those who dwell In the
thickly crowded regions of our great cities,
for helping, so far Us Legislators can help.
all the conditions Of work and life for
WdgeWOrk,rs in great centres ol INDUSTRY,
or for helping by the action both or the
national and state governments, so iar as
conditions will permit. the men ana women
who dwell I'm the Open country to increase
their efficiency bOtn IN production on thcU
farms and in business arrangements Tor
the marketing of their produce. ana also 10
Increase the opportunities, To give the best
possible expression 10 their social life. The
man is a reactOnary, whatever may be MS
professions and no matter now cNcelleht
his intentions, who opposes these move
ments or who II In high place. takes no
interest in them ana does not earnestly
help them forward.
Criticises Presidents Actions.
Wh.n. in Difference to the reactiona-
rios in Conaress, the President put a
ston TO the work Of the Country Lite
Commission, so that for three years tho
national government has done little but
marx time, or indeed to step backward,
az reoards this movement. then, no mat
ter how good his intentions, his actions
ranoed him against the Progressive
side. When the President supports
those courts which declare that the peo-
ple have no power to do social Justice,
bv enactina laws such as those have
above outlincd and when he opposes the
effort to give to the sober judgment Of
the people due effect, as against the
decisions of a reactonary court. then
he shows himself reactonary.
Wben the President characterizes a
,,od.rate proposal to render effective
th. sober Judgment Of the American
people as against indefensible and reac-
tionary court decisions in favor OF the
nriviIeued classes as laying the ak at
the foot of the tree OF well ordered free
dom" then the President is simply
et.nJ;na % AGAINST the sane and moderate
novement for social Justice and in favor
of privileoc, and he ranks himself
AGAINST the Progressives, against the
csuse of Justice for the helpless and the
wronoed and on the side Of the reac-
t;onaTies. on the side of the benefciaries
Of privilege and injustice.
Four wears ago the Pro3ressves sup
norted MIR. Taft for President, and he was
opposed BY such representatives OF special
privileges as Mr.. PenfGse, OF pennsylvania
MIR. Aldrich. of Rhode Island Mr.. Galllngcr,
- Now Hampshire. as Messrs Lorlmer.
Ccnnon and Mckinley, of Illinois, and he
was opposed by practically al! the men Of
thn stamp of Messrs. Guggenhem and
Evans, i'm Colorado and Mr.. Patrick Cal
hn''n Of Sah Francisco. These n'-n We're
W., 'prorressiyes then. and they do not pre-
,end IN he Progressives now. But. unlike
,bo president, they know who is Progress
siye and who is not. Their judgment I'm
% s%iN' ar,,ar ia good After three and "A
hau wears of association with and knowl-
doc of the President. these and their fell
lows arc now the Presidents chief sup.
porters; and they and the men who re, fefl
,,,e give him the great bulk of his strength.
Tbc President says he is a Progressive,
These men. know him well md have studied
his actions for three Years and they re,
proeressIve whom they approve.
49,. IL nrnrre sslYencss that meets ana