The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-02-25
Initiative andReferendun
pART II.
rim and DEVELOPMENT of Representation.
by G.. c. GAKNETT.

Il.
Origin and Development of Representation.
In of his historical essays, John Fiske
making with the Roman method, and these two
with the English Teutonic In the ancient
Oriental world, as for instance among the
Persians and the Egyptians, may observe,
nations grow powerful by conquest without In
corporation. tribe grows to national dimen-
sions by conquering its neighbors, supJectlng
them TO slavery and refusing them any share
in it's national life. The essential feature of the
Roman method of nation making was con-
quest with Incorporation, but without represen-
tatioa Romes imperial sway like that Of
Persia, was always spread by conquest: but diff
tered from that of the Oriental nations in the
tact that every conquered city, province and
and. in time. the citizen Of those conquered
places would proudly boast, Civis Romanus
gladly shed his blood for the empire
There defect, however. In this great
imperial system account of which it finally
crumbed and fell The great Capitalization OF
power was at the expense of local self-govern-
nent The Romans never devised system in
which the strength of union was Incorporated
with the liberty of local self-government.
Now. the Teutonic or English idea of nation
making differs from the Oriental or Roman!
First, in the fact that the English nation is a
federation without conquest; and, secondly
local independence has been maintained by a
new idea in government namely. representation
When, in the barens war, or contest between
the KING on one and Fs of
called the first real parliament in 1855, in
Humes words, he ordered. returns to be made
Of two knights from each shire; and what is
more remarkable. of deputies from boroughs
order of men, which in former ages, had
always been regarded too mean to enjoy a
place In the national councils" Before this
time the king had called to his council only the
privileged classes in person, but henceforth the
people had representatives in the council of the
nation. The principle of representation applied
there was the same that had been applied to es-
tablish trial by jury and that had persisted to
build up a nation out of the West SaXons the
East Saxons the South Saxons the Danes and
other Teutonic people scattered the island
II the same principle that was applied later
to unite England and Scotland; and il in
Of thlF he don
company, under the enlightened leadership of
Sir Edwin sandys, instructed Governor Yeard-
resentative. assembly in America To meet at
jamestown, on the Soth Of July. 1919
BY failing to observe the strength and force
Of this principle. and the hold that it had upon
the Anglo Saxon mind, George the Third and
by making this the basic idea of government
that new nation was born on this Western
Representation the Basic Principle of Our Gov
ernment.
1t not without the expenditure of blood
and treasure IN the contest between the oriental
idea of dissolution and the Anglo Saxon idea
Of local sef-government that this great prin-
Ctple was established in the constitution of Eng
land and 1t ITO vindiCate this first prin-
ciple of liberty that our ancestors suffered the
privations OF the revolution and set up an in
dependent government this continent. AS IL
Is sometimes charged that the adoption Of the
initiative and referendum means tho overthrow
of the principle of representation in government
that governmental idea has played in our his
tory, and. if possible get a clear and definite
view of what is meant by the term
Whether we apply the term To Simon de Mont
lords parliament, or to the first meeting of the
house of burgesses at jamestown. 10 the con-
tinental congress, or to any representative body
in the world today. the central idea of a repre-
sentatives duty is that he must see that the peo-
pie whom he represents shall have due share
in the deliberations of the body in all matters
pertaining to the common veal, and that the
body shall not encroach upon the local self
government Of the borough. county, district or
State which he represents
Present Day Problems of Legislation.
So long the spirit of union is not strong
and the different governmental units, on account
Of diverse needs, desire different things. there Ia
little chance of a representative misrepresentng
his people. But as in the course Of time sec
tional differences lose their strength and the peo-
pie OF the state begin to divide on economic or
social lines; as the problems of government be-
! come less territorial and more question of ad-
justment of the burdens of taxation or the more
equal distribution OF wealth or the conservation
of the natural resources, then the representa-
tive is subjected to greater temptations, and be-
comes more doubtful as to his responsibility
The real problems before a legislator in Nir
GINA, today. are not local ones--the liquor ques-
ton, the revision of our tax laws. the question
of suffrage, the question Of reforming cleo
ton laws so as to make fraud at the polls impos-
sible primary laws. reform in legal procedure
regulation of corporations, educational prob
iems-these are not local questions. II must he
noted also that represe ntative system was not
evolved to give power to the representative, but
to conserve and give expression to the power of
the people represented: and when representa-
tive announces himself opposed to giving the
people of his State opportunity to vote upon
any tof these great questions he is liza Bile to be
some private interest rather than of anxiety to
preserve the representative system.
Because this governmental idea has been
instrumental in gaining and pro Getting lib
critics in the past is guaranty of adequate
protection in the future. In the almost proph-
etic words Of FislSe, 1.-The Inherited predatory
tendency of men to seize upon the fruits of other
peoples labor is still very strong, and while
have nothing more to fear from kings. may
yet have trouble enough from commercial mo-
nopolies and favored industries, marching to
the polls their hordes bribed retainers Well
indeed has it been said that eternal vigilance
is the price OF liberty. God never meant that in
this fair but treacherous world in which he has
placed us, should earn salvation without
steadfast labor"
pie 1t rare that representative proved re-
creant to his trust; but in these latter times
while the people have not been the alert an
insdious and deadly foe has been stalking the
legislative halls divorcing the representative
from his people and corrupting the fountain
head of government