The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1912-01-31

trial life and we should be very care
full not to pass laws that Will work
a hardship upon them and always
give them the benefit of the doubt
cannot, however, believe 1t would
be wise for our government 10 take
hold of the railways and operate
them. 1t would be too much; it
would weigh 1t down too heavily, and
1t would be liable to fall to pieces of
its own weight. Have thought that 1t
might be good plan to erase the
taxation on all railway property that
is necessary for the operation of the
roads, but in consideration for this
privilege, the people must have a say
In naming their rates and see that
they are equitable and just. This l
think would bring the people and the
railway companies closer together;
they would act in harmony and it
would be better for all.
There are other economic ques-
lions to be considered. The tariff is
quite important, and should be based
upon reciprocity in trade the world
over; with the view of finally estab-
fishing universal free trade. A tariff
is indirect taxation, with the burden
of the tax resting on the consumers
1t Is impossible to make an impartial
tariff; hence 1t is unjust, and it would
be. better for all the nations to elm
mate it, and join in free trade sys-
tenn the world over.
Our laws governing the sale of in
toxicating liquors should be changed
4l,o oh
every county should have local option.
The dealing in futures, gambling IN
stocks and the watering of stocks
should all be erased from our indus
trial map. The supreme court OF
the United States should be shorn OF
some of it's power. 1t should not De
given power above the congress that
enable them to annul important laws
that congress has acted upon lana
passed. Why have a congress when
the supreme court has such powers?
In every republican form of govern
ment congress should be supreme, and
let us make it so.
Well. there is no use of saying more
for have certainly enumerated
enough living issues for any new par
W
many: but let us look after land,
money and transportation at once; as
if is very necessary for the welfare
of all, that the laws now governing
these questions be changed. the
name 1 think the most appropriate
for this party is the "Agrarian Far
ty." That means party based upon
the land. 1t is an old name and every
one who has read Roman history Is
conyersant with 1t. Away back 367
r. c. Lucinius Stolo, a Roman states
man of that period, produced the
Agrarian laws, or Lucinlon Rogatlons'
and the most important law OF these
Rogations was the law limiting the
amount of land one man should own
and it was about 500 acres So you
see away back in the early stages OF
authentic history that the people were
then seeing the need of a reform IN
their laws governing the ownership
of land A little more than zoo years
later we see Tiberius Gracious, man
who sprung from noble Roman
family, again advocating the cause OF
the plebians or common people of
Rome and in one Of his appeals to the
people ne says. ihO ViiA
italy have their dens, but the brave
men who spill their blood for her are
without homes" and have no place
they can call their own where they
can rest their heads. Yet Rome today
rules the world and her possessions
extend from the Atlantic to the CAS-
plan and from the Mediterranean to
the Baltic. All along down through
the history of the past we see great
struggles and revolutions going on
just for the mastery of land. In
1864 A. D. William the Conqueror
landed in England, where he fought
the battle of Hastings, thoroughly
subdued England and established the
Norman dynasty. He divided the land
into large holdings and gave to ms
favorite officers and established the
nobility Of England, who still own
great holdings, consequently we now
see great wealth and great poverty
side by side, and it is to be hoped
that David Lloyd George, chancellor OF
the exchequer, may be successful in
establishing the reforms he is now
advocating The main cause of the
French Revolution was the concen-
tration of the land, and the wealth
of the country into the hands of a
few, causing great distress among her
poor people. In the large cities they
were crying for bread, and the con-
ditions became so acute they could
stand it no longer, and their rage
finally burst forth into passion and
France was drenched in blood
This bloody revolution, however, re-
suited in much good for France. The
| remedy was severe but effective, and
we NOW see her land divided into
smaller holdings than any country in
Europe, unless it be Switzerland, and
| her people are quite happy and con-
tented. Yes, it seems as though the
name Agrarian is very much in ac-
| cordance with the principles this new
( party should advocate. We now see