davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1912-08-06
Right of People to Rule
Is First Essential Needed
In Progressive Movement
Stringent and Efficient Corrupt Practices Act Applying
to the Primaries As Well As to the Elections,
Necessary to Success.

the wages Of women, taking the present
Massachusetts law as basis from
which to start and on which to inn
we pledge the Federal Government to
an Investigation of industries along the
lines pursued by the Bureau Of Mines
with the view to establishing standards
Of sanitation and safety: we call for the
naturalization of mine and factory in
spection by Interstate agreement or the
establishment OF Federal standard.
we. stand for the passage Of legisla-
tion In the nation and In all states pro-
yiding standards of compensation for in
dustrial accidents and death. and Tor
diseases clearly due to the nature OF
conditions Of Industry, and we stand for
the adoption by law Of q fair standard
Of compensation for casualties resulting
fatally which shall clearly fix the mini
mum compensation in all cases.
In the third place, certain industrial
conditions fall clearly below the levels
which the public today sanction.
We stand for q living wage. Wages
are subnormal II they fail to provide
. living for those who devote their
time and energy to Industrial occupa-
lions.
The monetary equivalent of living
wage varies according to local condf-
tions, but must include enough to secure
the elements Of a normal standard of
morality possible, to provide for edu-
cation and recreation, to care for imma-
ture members of the family, to maintain
the family during periods OF sickness,
and to permit Of reasonable saving for
old age. .
The Washington times., 1912-08-06
Resorted to Thievery
To Garry Point.

In the contest which eliminated six
weeks ago In this city I speedily found
that my chance was at a minimum IN
any State where l could not get an ex-
preston of the people themselves In the
primaries. ! found that II l could ap-
peal to the rank and file of the Republi-
can voters l could generally win;
whereas, II l had to appeal to the po-
noisy defenders of the old system-I
generally lost. Moreover, I found, as a
matter of fact, not as matter OF
theory, that these politicians habltualy
and unhesitatingiy resort to every spS, sn
order to carry their point; 1t is De
cause of the general recognition OF this
fact that the words politics and poll
ticians have grown to nave SINISTER
meaning throughout this country.
The bosses and their agents In the
national Republican convention at
Chicago Treated political theft n u
legitimate political weapon.
1t Is Instructive to compare the votes
of States where there were open pri-
maries and the votes Of States where
there were not. In Illinois. Pennsyl-
vania, and Ohio we had direct primaries
and the Taft machine was beaten two
to one. Between and bordering on these
States were Michigan, Indiana, and
Kentucky. In these States we could
not get direct primaries. and the poll
ticians elected two delegates to our one
In the first three States the contests
were absolutely open, absolutely honest.
The rank and file expressed their wishes
and there was no taint of fraud about
what they did. In the other three
States the contest was marked by every
species of fraud and violence on the
part of our opponents. and half the
Taft delegates in the Chicago convcn-
tion from these States had tainted titles.
The entire Wall Street press at this
moment II vigorously engaged In de-
nouncing the direct primary system
and uphOIding the old convention sys-
tenn, or as they call IT, the "Oid repre-
sentative system"
They are so dc ing because they know
that the bosses and the powers OF spe-
cial privilege have tenfold the chance
under the convention system that they
have when the rank and file of the peo-
Pile can express themselves at the pri-
maries.
The Washington times., 1912-08-06
First Charge on
Industrial Statesmanship.

The first charge on the industrial
statesmanship Of the day Is to pre-
vent human waste. The dead weight
Of orphanage and depleted craftsman
ship, of crippled workers and workers
suffering from trade diseases. Of casual
laborr of insecure old age, and Of
household depletion due to industrial
conditions are, like our depleted soils,
our sashed mountain-s sides and flooded
river bottoms. 30 many strains upon
the national structure. draining the re-
serve strength of all industries and
public element and public concern In
industrial health.
Ultimately we desire to use the Gov
ernment to aid, as far az can safely be
done, in helping the industrial tool
users to become in part tool-owners,
mately the Government may have to
Join more efficiently than at present in
Strengthening the hands Of the work.
ingmen who already stand at a high
level. industrially and socially. and
themselves. But the most pressing
and Immediate need Is to deal with the
cases Of those who are on the level,
and who are not only in need them
selves. but, because of their need, tend
to jeopardize the welfare Of those who
are better OF.
order, In no Commonwealth. In NO
industry he carried On under cOndi-
lions inimical to the social welfare.
The abnormal. ruthless spendthrift in
down all to the level Of the least con-
siderate.
The Washington times., 1912-08-06
Business and Control
Of the Trusts.

The present conditions Of business
cannot be accepted as satisfactory.
There are too many who do not pros
per enough, and OF the few who prosper
greatly there are certainly some whose
prosperity does not mean we'll for the
country.
Rational Progressives, no matter how
radical, are well aware that nothing the
Government can do will make some
men prosper, and we heartily approve
the prosperity, no matter how great,
OF any man, If 1t comes as an incident
to rendering service to the community;
but We wish to shape conditions so
that a greater number Of small men
who are decent, Industrious, and ener-
getic shall be able to succeed, and SO
that the big man who is dishonest shall
not be allowed to succeed at all.
Our aim In to control business, not
to strangle it-and, above ali, not to
continue a policy of make-beIieVe
strsnEIe toward big concerns that do
evil, and constant menace toward
both big and little concerns that do
well.
Our aim is to promote prosperity
and then see to its proper division. W.
do not believe that any good comes to
any one by a policy which means
destruction of prosperity; for In sSos
it is not possible to divide 1t be;
there is nothing to divide.
We wish to control big business Sc
as to secure among other things good
wages for the wage-workers and rea-
sonabie prices for the consumers. Wher-
ever in any business the prosperity OF
the business man is obtained by lower
ing the wages of his workmen and
charging an excessive price to the con-
sumers we wish to interfere and stoss
such practices.
We will not submit to that kind OF
prosperity any more than we will sub
nit to prosperity obtained by swindling
investors or getting unfair advantages
over business rivals. But Ii Is obvious
that unless the business Is prosperous
the wage-worker employed therein will
be badly paid and the consumers badly
served
The Washington times., 1912-08-06
Should Have Right
To Vote Disapproval.

Even as regards such q policy, and
the actions taken Hereunder, We our
selves should have the right ultimately
to vote our dAapproval of 1t, II we
feel such disapproval. But in the next
place our representatives are chosen
to carry out certain policies as to which
we have definitely made up our minds,
and here we expect them to represent
US by doing what we have decided
ought to be done.
All I desire to do by securing more
direct control Of the governmental
agents and agencies OF the people Is to
give the people the chance to make
their representatives really represent
them whenever the. Government be-
comes misrepresentation instead Of rep
resentative.
thinking from closet study, or as .
forced to Il BY . long experience with
the actual conditions Of our political
life.
was very little demand in this country
for Presidential primaries. There would
have hay, been no demand now II the poll,
carry out the win Of the people as re-
largely under the influence Of special
privilege In the business world, there
have arisen castles Of politicians who
not only do not represent the people,
but who make their bread and butter
by thwarting the wishes Of the people.
This Is true Of the bosses of both po-
~litical parties In my own State of New
York. and 1t is just as true of the bosses
of one or the other political party In a
great many States of the Union. The
power of the people must be made su-
preme within the several party organi-
The Washington times., 1912-08-06
Should Not Be Above
Peoples Control.

But this is not the matter of most
concern at the moment. Our prime
concern is that in dealing with the
fundamental law Of the land, in as
suming finally to interpret 1t, and
therefore hnally to make It, the acts
Of the courts should be subject to aud
not above the final control of the peo-
pie as a whole, deny that the Ameri-
can people have surrendered to any
set OF men, no matter what their POSI-
uon or their character, the final right
to determine those fundamental ques-
tons upon which free self -gove ernment
ultimately depends.
The people themselves must be the
ultimate makers OF their own Consti-
tuition, and where thsir agents differ
In their interpretations OF the Consti-
tuition the people themselves should be
given the chance. after full and deliu-
crate Judgment, authoritatively to set
tie what Interpretation II is that their
representatives shall thereafter adopt
as binding.
Whenever in our constitutional sys-
tenn OF Government there exist general
prohibitions that. as Interpreted by the
courts. nullify. or may be used to null
lily, specific laws passed, and admitted
iy passed, in the interest of social JUS
tce, we are for such immediate law,
:hat be necessary. as will thereafter
permit reference to the people of the
public effect Of such decision, under
forms securing full deliberation, to the
end that the specific act of the legisla-
tive branch Of the Government thus
judicially nuliified. and such amend
ments thereof as come within its scope
and purpose, may constitutionally be ex.
cepted by vote Of the people from the
general prohibitions. the same as *
that particular act had been expressly
adopted
This will necessitate the establish
ment Of machinery for making much
easier of amendment both the national
and the several State Constitutions,
especially with the view Of prompt ac-
ton on certain judicial decisions--action
as specific and limited as that taken
by the passage of the Eleventh Amend
ment to the National Constitution.
The Washington times., 1912-08-06
Would Prohibit
Child Labor.

Hours are excessive IL they fail to
afford the worker sufficient time to re-
cuperate and return to his work thor
oughly refreshed. We hold that the
night labor Of women and children is
abnormal and should be prohibited; we
hold that the employment of women
over forty-eight hours per week is alb
normal and should be prohibited.
We hold that the seven-day working
week is abnormal, and we hold that one
day Of rest in seven should be provided
by law.
We hold that the continuous indus
tries, operating twenty-four hours out
Of twenty-four, are abnormal, and
where, because of public necessity or of
technical reasons (such as molten metaD
the twenty-four hours must be divided
into two shifts Of twelve hours or
three shifts of eight, they should by
law be divided into three of eight.
Safety conditions are abnormal when.
through unguarded machinery, poisons
electrical voltage, or otherwise, the
workers are subjected to unnecessary
occupations should come under govern
mental regulation and control
Home life is abnormal when tenement
manufacture L. carried on in the house,
education. and childhood, and should,
therefore, be entirely prohibited. Tenn
porary construction camps are abnor-
NAL homes and should be subjected to
governmental sanitary regulation.
The premature employment Of chill
dren Is abnormal and should be pro-
htbited: SO also the employment of
women In manufacturing, commerce
or other trades where work compels
standing constantly, and also any en-
pioyment OF women In such trades for
period Of at least eight weeks at time
Of childbirth.
The Washington times., 1912-08-06
Right of the
People to Rule.

, 1t seems to me, therefore, that the
time is ripe, and overripe. for a genuine
Progressive movement. Nationwide and
justice-loving, sprung from and respons-
ible to the people themselves, and sund-
cred by a great gulf from both Of the
old party organizations, while represent
ing all that is best in the hopes, beliefs,
and aspirations Of the plain people who
make up the immense majority of the
rank and file of both the old parties.
The first essential in the Progressive
program is the right Of the people to
rules But a few months ago our oppo-
nents were assuring us with insincere
clamor that it was absurd for us to talk
about desiring that the people should
rule, because, as a matter Of fact, the
people actually do rule. Since that time
the actions of the Chicago convention
and to an only less degree of the Bal
timore convention, have shown in strik-
Ing fashion how little the people do rule
under our present conditions. We
should provide by national law for
PRESIDENTIAL primaries. We should pro-
vide for the election Of United States
senator's by popul lar vote. We should
provloe Tor a short ballot; nothing
trai aHes tsa,. ~ narder harder for the people to con-
uoI tnelr public servants than to force
them TO vote for so many officials that
they cannot really keep track of any
one or them. SO that each becomes in
him. ouho
There must be stringent and efficient
corrupt practices acts. applying to the
primaries as well as the elections: and
there should be publicity of Campaign
contributions during the Campaign. We
should provide throughout this Union
!or giving the people In every State
the real right to rule themselves and
really and not nominally to control
their public servants and their agencies
for doing the public business; an in
cident Of this being giving the people
lie business If they find 1t Impossible
to get what they desire through the
The Washington times., 1912-08-06
kid in Production
For the Farmer.

moreover, every invention and i'm
provement, every discovery and econ
omy, should be at the service Of the
farmer in the work of production: and.
In addition. he should be helped to co.
fellows. SO that the money paid by the
consumer for the product of the soil
shall to as large a degree as possible
80 lnto the pockets of the man who
raised that product from the soil
eratiye activities with their proHt-
sharing to the city man of business
so long will the foundations of wealth
ne nnndermined and the comforts Of
country communities.
In every respect this nation has to
learn the lessons Of efficiency in pro-
ducton and distribution, and of avoid
ance OF waste and destruction; we
nrhn,s must aevelop and improve instead of
exheusting our resources. 1t Is entire-
iy possible by improvements in produc-
tion, in the avoidance of waste. and in
business methods on the part of the
narna darmer Ito TO give him an increased in
time reducing to the consumer the
price OF the articles raised on the
farm. -
Important although education is
in the country. The country school
must fit the country life; in the coun-
try. as elsewhere, education must be
hitched up with life.
The country church and the country
Young Mems and Young women's
Christian Associations have great parts
to play. The farmers must own and
work their own land; steps must be
taken at once to put a stop to the
tendency toward absentee landlordism
and tenant farming; this is one Of the
most imperative duties confronting the
nation.
The question of rural banking and
rural credits Is also of immediate i'm
The Washington times., 1912-08-06
Decrying Of Courts
Enacted at Chicago.

We are not In this decrying the courts.
That was reserved for the Chicago con-
vention in its plank respecting i'm
peachment. Impeachment implies the
proof of dishonesty. We do not ques-
ton the general honesty Of the courts.
But in applying to present-day social
conditions the general prohibitions that
were intended originally as safeguards
to the citizen against the arbitrary
caste and privilege. these prohibitions
have been turned by the courts from
safeguards against political and social
Justice and advancement.
Our purpose is not to impugn the
courts. but to emancipate them from
q position where they stand In the
way OF social justice, and to eman-
cipate the people, i'm an orderly way,
from the iniquity Of enforced sub
mission to . doctrine which would
turn constitutional provisions which
were intended to favor social justice
and advancement into prOhibitions
against such justice and advancement.
We in America have peculiar need
thus to make the acts of the courts
subject to the people. because. owing
to causes which ] need not now dis
cuss, the courts have here grown to
occupy a position unknown in any other
country, a position of superiority over
both the legislature and the executive.
Just at this time. when we have begun
In this country to move toward social
and industrial betterment and true IN
dustrial democracy, this attitude on the
part of the courts IS of grave portent,
because privilege has intrenched itself
In many courts, just as 1t formerly IN
trenched itself in many legislative bod
les and in many executive offices. Even
in England, where the constitution Is
based upon the theory of the suprema-
cy Of the legislative body over the
courts, the cause Of democracy has at
times been hampered by court action.
The Washington times., 1912-08-06
Justice to the
Wage-Workers.

especially challenge the attention OF
the people to the need Of dealing in far
reaching fashion with our human re-
sources, and, therefore, our labor power.
In q century and q quarter as a ma
tion the American people have subdued
and settled the vast reaches Of q con-
tinent; ahead lies the greater task Of
building upon this foundation, by them
selves, for themselves, and with them
selves, an American Commonwealth
which Is Its social and economic struc-
ture shall be four square with de-
mocracy. I
with England striving to make good
the human wreckage to which scrap
heap scheme Of induBtrialism has rele-
gated her, with Germany putting the
painstakng resources OF an empire at
industrial sciences, with the Far East
placing In the hands Of its millions the
tools invented and fashioned by West
ern civilization, II behooves Americans
changes and to show that tho people
themselves, through popular self-gov-
ernment, can meet an age OF crisis with
wisdom and strength.
In the last twenty years an increas-
Ing percentage Of our people have
come to depend On Industry for their
livelihood, 80 that today the wage
workers In Industry rank In isnpor-
tance side BY side with the tillers of
the soil.
As a people we cannot AFFORD to let
any group of citizens or any individual
citizen live or labor under conditions
which are injurious to the common
welfare.
Industry. therefore. must submit to
such public regulation as will make 1t
a means Of life and health, not of
death or inefficiency. We must pro-
tect the crushable elements at the base
of our present Industrial structure.
The Washington times., 1912-08-06
No Hope for the
Old Party Machines.

The prime need today Is to face the
fact that we are now in the midst Of
great economic evolution. There Is
urgent necessity Of applying both COM
mon sense and the highest ethical STAN
dard to this movement for better eco
nomic conditions among the mass Of
our people II we are to make 1t one
of healty evolution and not one of rev.
olution. 1t Is. from the standpoint of
our country. wicked as we'll as foolish
longer to refuse to face the real issues
Of the day.
Only by no facing them can we 10
forward, and to do this we must
break up the old party organization
On the dead issues Inherited from NJ
ty years ago.
Our fight is fundamental fight
machines, for both are under the do
fessional politicians who are controlled
and sustained by the great beneficiaries
Of privilege and reaction. How close
,is the alliance between the two ma
chimes Is shown by the altitude of that
portion Of those Northeastern news
papers, including the majority Of the
great dailies In all the Northeastern
cities - Boston, Buffalo. Springfield.
II1dItiOtut ohub oboNo oiA'
New York-which are controlled by or
representative of the interests which.
in popular phrase, are conveniently
grouped together as the Wall Street
interests.
The large majority Of these papers
supported Judge Parker for the Presi-
dency in 1904; almost unanimously they
supported Mr.. Taft for the Republican
nomination this year; the large ma1ori-
ty are now supporting Prof. VIII
son for the election. Some Of them
still prefer Mr.. Taft Ato Mr.. Wilson,
but all make either Mr.. Taft or Mr..
Wilson their first choice; and one of
the ludicrous features Of the campaign
is that those papers supporting Prof
Wilson show the most Jealous parti-
sanship for Mr.. Taft whenever they
think his interests are jeopardized by
the Progressive movement-that Tor IN,
stance, any electors will obey the Will
OF the majority of the Republican vot-
ers at the primaries, and vote for me
instead Of obeying the will Of the
Messrs Barnes Penrose- -Guggenheim
combination by voting for Mr. TAFT
The Washington times., 1912-08-06
The Farmer and
Peoples s Interests.

There is no body of our people whose
interests are more inextricably inter-
woven with the interests of all the peo-
pie tnan is the case with the farmers.
Inc country life commission should be
revived with greatly increased powers:
its aDandonment was q severe blow to
the interests Of our people. The welfare
OF the farmer is basic need of this
nation. 1t is the men from the farm who
In the past have taken the lead in
every great movement within this ma
tion. whether in time OF war or in time
Of peace.
It Is well to have our cities prosper.
but 1t Is not well IL they prosper at the
expense mi, s,at Of the E. country.
tons of our country there has been an
extraordinary revival of recent years i'm
intelligent interest in and work for
those who live In the open country. In
this movement the lead must be taken
by the farmers themselves; but our
people as whole, through their gov
ernmental agencies, should back the
Everything possible should be done
to better the economic condition of the
farmer. and also to increase the social
value OF the life of the farmer, the
farmers wife. and their children.
The burdens of labor and loneliness
bear heavily on the women in the coun.
try; their welfare should be the espe-
clal concern of all Of us. Everything
possible should be done to make life in
the country profitable SO as to be at
tractive from the economic standpoint
and also to give an outlet among farm
ing people for those forms of activity
which now tend to make life in the
cities especially desirable for ambitious
men and women.
There should be just the same chance
20 nVe as fuil. as well-rounded, and as
highly useful lives In the country as in
The Government must cooperate
with the farmer to make the farm
more productive. There must be no
skinning OF the soil The farm should
De left to the farmers son in better.
ana no worse, condition because of its
The Washington times., 1912-08-06
Would Establish
Wage Commissions.

To the second end, we hold that mimi
mum wage commissions should be es-
tablished in the nation and in each State
to inquire into wages paid in various
industries and to determine the stand
ard. which the public ought to sanction
as a minimum; and We believe that, as
present installment Of what We hope
for in the future, there should be at
once established in the nation and Its
several States minimum standards for
The Washington times., 1912-08-06
Self Interest of
The Wage Garner.

Therefore not merely as a matter
OF justice TO the business man. but
from the standpoint OF the self-in-
terest of the wage-werker and the
consumer we desire that business