Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-12-19
been put in a straightjacket.

illinois Is no exception 10 the rule.
The problem will be not only to
adapt our constitution to the present.
but to the future TO that end cei.
tain large Observation-Disclosures in
character-will engross the attention
of the convention.
The !. and r.
"The initiative and referendum ar"
direct attacks upon the representative
principle. Representative goNernmer,
was adopted because no direct denof-
racy in the history Of the world hal
ever proved a success and the trainers
of our constitution knew that to b'
so They knew that where democ'
racy had been allowed TO go nncon.
trolled, democracy had degeneratel
into anarchy and from anarchy INFO
despotism. Representative govern
ment was adopted advisedly in tha
light OF history.
THE proposition is, shall we abah-
don or weaken one OF the fundamental
principles of our government because,
fors0oth, 1t Is said that the legislature
In sporadic instances, has been cor
rupt, in other instances, has failed 10
RESPOND to the demands OF group
interest?
'IShall we countenance a return to ii
pure democracy which all past history
and current history OF Russia .~
warn MS to avoid? Shall we rejec'
the wisdom and conclusions of tn"
statesmen who rejected democracy as
"A peril? Shall we give opportunity 10"
a group interest to dominate and con
troll?
Minority Representation.
Does our present constitution a.
ford IA means by which the people may
select true representatives? Is IN"
system of minority representation CO.
sonant with the true theory of repre-
sentative government?
1T was adopted in this state as an
experiment. 1T was somewhat OF an
expedient Its purpose was to aHoFh
democratic representation in the nort1
and republican representation IN the
south. The occasion has long since
passed No other state has COPIED ,At
Illinois experiment.
"On general principles it VIII no
stand the test Of American consttd'
tional theory. 1t Is based upon grol y
consciousness. 1t has for its end rep
resenta,ion by classes Pushed to its
ultimate end it is soyietism pure and
unauthorized.
Our general assembly is bi.camerd'
in form, but unicameral IN pfactlce.
Senators and representatives az"
elected from the same territorial area.
They speak for the same interests.
The question has suggested itself as
to whether or not it would not be not
ONLY wise but eXpedient to adopt the
federal scheme and provide for repre-
sentation of large territorial areas IN
the senate and smaller territorial
areas in the house Philosophic stu
dents of politics maintain-and thei,
contention is justified by the political
practice Of this country-that the WIN
Of the people--the forces. opinions
and ideas common to the majority OF
the people--can be ascertalned by rep
resentatiOn based, in two houses, upon
dissimlar units.
Is Retrogressve Step.
Minority representation, as We
have il now. is not the last word IN
the theory of representation. Like
MANY other novel proposal in govern
ment. it has proved if not failure !
distinctly retrogressive step.
THE convention cannot go wrong II,
in constituting the legislative depar =
ment. ii adheres to the Fundamental
PRINCIPLES of representation embodied
in the federal constitution.
The Taxing Problem.
"The purpose Of the general pro +
arty tax was to spread the public Duf-
den as evenly as possible over all
persons in the community in accord
ance with their respective abilities 10
paw. The general property tax was
suited to an age Of simplicity. when
the forms of wealth were homogene-
ous This tax was never ideal, But
il worked fairly well during the aeli-
cultural stage of industrial develo,'
ment. But we nave passed the asri'
cultural stage. We have reached IN"
commercial stage. The forms and eco
monte characteristics of property nav"
changed. Corporate and lntanSlbl"
forms of wealth are more extensive
than tangible.
The general property tax has
broken down both in theory and n
practice This is conceded by all FAR
minded men.
But the principle of the general
property tax and many OF the details
of a revenue law are written into orr
present constitution. 1t Will be Tor
the convention to devise and state Il
principle under which revenue law
lust and equitable. may be enacted.
"The subject of taxation is the ono
concrete subject in which business
men are Interested Their experience,
brains and convictions should be at
the service of the convention. BS
their aid, assistance and cooperation
the convention should be able to WRIT
a principle of taxation which is fair
Just and equitable.