The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-07
CONSTRUCTIONS. NoT rnoscnIprIoN.

TO progress In government II is
framed not In opposition. but In aspira-
ton: Its policy is construction. not
prescription.
IL has been interesting and crafty
Ing to us to observe how closely the
trainers OF this platform have follow ed
those policies for which The Times
Dispatch has been contcnding for
years Nino OF the twelve planks of
the platform are I'm precise accord with
the reforms advocated by this paper
We have proposed, that violations of
the election laws shall be made a
felony; the league takes the same posi-
ton.
We have opposed the payment OF
any citizens poll taxes by any other
citizen; so does the league.
! We have commended that the officers
| OF primary elections should be APP
pointed in the same manner as those
serving at general elections the league
agrees.
! We have urged that contested pr-
mary elections be settled In the
courts; tho, same course Is approved by
the league.
| We have argued against the activity
nizes this as an evil to be corrected
/ We have championed open committee
hearings in the General Assembly; tho
! league demands them.
: We have appealed for a State Demo
cratic Convontion-in 1912 and again
In 1918; the league Joins in that APP
peal.
I we have advocated tho election OF
delegates to the National Democratic
Convention in primaries; tho league
urges the same policy.
! We have sought to correct tho evils
/ of the fee system; the league promises
its support
( AS the men who drafted this plat.
form did not consult with The Times
Dispatch. we rejoice to find that tho
views we have expressed are those
which meet with tho approval OF so
many of the leaders in the movement
for better government in Virginia.
But the greatest interest in the plat
form of the league will probably be
aroused for the novelty, for Virginia
At least. of the proposal to adopt the
Initiative the referendum and the re-
call. Upon these The Times Dispatch
has not heretofore expressed an
opinion.
We realize that it is folly to de-
nounco and TO reject these new
agencies of government simply on the
ground that they arc violation OF
the representative principle. 1t IL
equal folly to praise them as cure
for all our political ills. II Is wis
dom, VIC take 1t, to view them as
means to an end--the reflection OF the
Will of the people
ours is At present a system OF repre-
sentative government because, when
| 1t was devised, that seemed to be the
best possible means OF putting into
effect the popular will. When repre-
sentative government was adopted for
America, the sparsity of our population
and our faulty communications made
popular government Impossible We
/ had all the disadvantages of the pres
cnt scattered electorate with none OF
the present means OF reaching that
electorate Even as representative
government was best suited to the are
/ of its creation, so II may become m
suited TO an age when the telephone
the telegraph and the newspaper en-.
able every man, In some measure. to
become a lawmakcr
But If representative government
does not In every instance reflect tho
viii OF the people, so the modification
of that system by the initiative tho
referendum and the recall must moi hc
viewed as fnallty. These expedients
are perhaps valuable In themselves.
but even more valuable in that their
adoption In America is a recognition of
the popular right to change our form
i or government when +, is unsuited
Government must change with tho
changing needs OF the people. is The
fundamental tenet of the new Demo
crazy That this change should he ac
compiished by placing the necessary
Instruments for change In the hands
Of the people is the view Of tho new
league Judging their action by this
standard, The Times Dispatch in
dorses, as part of Virginia's future
program of reform. the Initiative. the
referendum and the recall, except as
the latter relates to judges.
We do not believe there is presen,
pressing need for the application of any
OF these eXpedients In Virginia we
have no huge graft and no gross dis
honesty Of the type that can be reach