The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-13
CLASS LEGISLATION HARMFUL.
II Accounts for the Plight Of the Dis.
CHARGED Railroad EMPLOYEES.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SCS-Sr:
read with Interest the editorial article
OF March 30 on the plight OF the
railroads of the country. and although
moved to pity BY the suffering and hnan-
clal distress that are now being visited upon
tens OF thousands OF employees who must
join the great army of unemployed, still
1t seems TO me that such deplorable con-
ditions were inevitable from the past poll
cies OF the Government and II may be
said that the employees are. in large meas
ure. themselves responsible for these very
policies.
Recognizing the principle that in union
there is strength the employees have COM
bned and exerted their united energies to
influence the selection OF legislators and
public officials pledged practically to act
as their agents. The greater principle.
the truth Of which always Is demonstrated
in the end. that the prosperity OF every
part depends upon the prosperity of the
whole, these public agents of the labor
organizations have lost sight of. There
should be no such political division as the
labor party" II those In whose hands
the governing power is placed are to act
only for a class. the result will be in
justice and the State will be imperiled
The great fundamental principles on
which our Government was founded are
being attacked on every hand by the
fanatical and visionary men who have
Dttll pliCtu IN power through inc lgNO-
rance and neglect of the voting public.
Pure democracy appeals to the masses,
but the experience of ages has proved
It's impracticab!ilty. especially In large
country our wonderful plan Of repre-
sentative government Is the object OF con-
slant attack. The checks and balances of
power so carefully worked out by the
fathers, after long discussion and exam
nation of precedence, are being thrown
out OF adjustment. The election Of Sena-
tors by popular vote instead OF by the
sovereignties they are meant to repre-
sent is a dcplorable instance. Recently a
bin was actually introduced IN our Legis-
lature to replace the two houses with one
chamber. Could the proposer have been
conversant with French history?
Strong men are not inclined to-day 10
seek Office, for in most instances the poll
ticians take up some successful dema-
goeue's doctrine, and because IL promises
10 'be "A vote catching slogan. cast around
for "A candidate who is willing to advo-
cate it for the sake Of election. Only
weak or intellectually dishonest men are
then available.
The long discussions and deliberations
of our Representatives and Senators do
not centre about what is best for the coun-
try so much as about what nearest con-
forms TO a hastily framed declaration of
a small committee of a political conven-
ton. normally adopted. II ia true, by the
whole convention. but generally without
a knowledge Of what is meant. Il listened.
as II delcSatc, TO the reading Of the plat =
form N Baltimore and could not hear a
third of what was read in the confusion
OF the closing hour)
Since the number OF voters advocat lng
a principle now influences legislators and
we are to be governed by numbers, not
Intelligence and the least informed are
the best organized, IL is important that
the Intelligent industrious and best in
formed should also organize. The argu.
ments and appeals OF presidents and di-
rectors of business industries have been
disreearded. II Is therefore time that
stockholders form a union and exert the
influence of their vast voting power To ste
that Justice be done. There Is no doubt
that such an influence would do more real
good for the cause Of labor. which is best
promoted by the general prosperity. than
the short sighted, III directed energies tina,
have been msrepresentinG II.
A, OCTaAM SHERMAN
NEW Tohk, April ii.