The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-07-01
BOURNE HAS PLATFORM
FOR POPULAR RULE PARTY
Oregon Statesman Advances
Plan Which He Thinks Would
Cure Defects

WASHINGTON, July 1.-ASenatof
Jonathan Bourne, Jr. today suggested
a platform for popular government
party, should one be formed. He said:
The sovereignty OF the people Is
the fundamental principle OF Ameri-
can government, but professional poll
ticians have manipulated caucuses
anG conventions by corrupt use Of
money and Official patronage with the
result that In many instances the peo-
rle' have been permitted merely to
choose between two candidates. each
selected for them by teh representa-
tives of special privilege. Thus the
theory of popular, sovereignty has be-
come delusion and a snare, serving
the purposes of men whose sole
thought is for personal selfish interest
rather than for the general welfare OF
the American people.
Years OF experience, together with
rec ent political events, convince me
that all other issues should be subor-
dinated TO the problem of establishing
truly representative government. The
fundamental issue Is the substitution
of popular for delegated government.
Il therefore advocate:
Substitution Of direct primaries
for caucuses and. conventions In the
selection OF candidates for all elective
Offices, including candidates for presi-
dent and yice-president
Adoption of the Initiative, referen-
dunn and recall In the several states
in order that the people may control
their legislation and dismiss from
office be unfaithful or Incompetent
public servants.
State and national laws regulating
and requiring publicity Of campaign
expenditures and prohibiting the bar
ter and safe OF official appointments.
The ratification of the pending
constitutional amendment for the d.
rect election OF United States SEN
ators.
Equal suffrage regardless OF sex.
"Divestment OF the presidential
power OF nomination Of federal APP
pointees in the different states with
their election In their respective juris-
Gictions. Thus only can the federal
machine be destroyed and congress be
made independent OF and truly CO.
ordinate with the administrative
branch of the government.
Recognition Of the principle that
all laws regulating personal corporate
activity shall be Comprehensive and
explicit, defining what can and what
cannot lawfully be done, so that this
shall be a government of law and not
or men or OF bureaucratic rule and
regulation so that every citizen may
point 10 the plain language of the
statute that prescribes the extent OF
his duty or the limitations upon his
Observance or the policy OF dele
gating as little power as possible 10
any one individual, but providing the
greatest possible opportunity for indl-
yidual demonstration, resulting in
leadership dependent upon and com.
with ethics and ideas.
Creation OF permanent, non-parti.
san tariff commission acting under d.
rection OF and reporting directly 10
congress-.
Development OF a financial system
rssulthg In greater finidity and elias
ITCHY or our money. with less posi-
blllty OF individual control
establishment OF PARCELS post
with rates varying according TO the
service rendered and as low as the
cost OF the service win permit. which
service should be extended as rapidly
as experience demonstrates the desir-
ability and practicability.
Liberal appropriations for river
ana hafbor improvements.