The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1919-08-07

PUBLIC OPINION



list am an anti, as to all the
new brands OF democracy.
2nd. | am an anti progressive
democrat. because the democrat par
~ was formulated upon democratic
principles, and there is no such thing
as principles progressing; II a princi-
pie is right one time, II is right all
the time.
Bird. am an anti new-party DEM
ocrat, because the move il wrong
and will lead TO bad politics.
4th. am an anti RATHER because
ratification Of the suffrage amend
ment by the Legislature annuls the
voice of the people.
5th. am an anti, as to the rights
Of women to vote in the primary elec
tons, because think its unconstitu-
tional.
9th. am an anti, as 10 the Fed
eral Suffrage and prohibition amend
ments, because they encroach upon
reserve rights of the States. (Here
think it fair to say, ] favor State pro
hibition
Democracy means Government by
the people
A form Of government in which
the supreme power is retained by the
people but is indirectly exercised
through system of representation
and delegated authority.
A constitutional representative
government webster
The law making power of the leg
islator is limited by the written CON
stitution. made and adopted by the
people. The procedure in carrying
out the principles of democracy re-
qures big men; not of the Webster
class, but a man that can stare a po-
litical right or wrong in the face, no
matter how either may glitter, and
stand for right, and put his back up
on wrong, is a big man.
OF late years there has been some
criticism of the government taking
action in the business affairs of the
country 1t is fundamental principal
Of democracy, for the government by
law, TO protect the people against
frauds, oppression, organized com
bines, trusts and profiteering At
the same time by fair laws. to pro-
tect and encourage, all legal business
enterprises, public and private. In a
nut shell, the cardinal principles Of
democracy are That the supreme
power Of government is retained by
the people, and that the voice Of a
majority Of the people expressed at
The ballot box by legal methods, is
the supreme law of their government,
and that the organic laws adopted by
the people is limit direct and indi-
rect, upon the powers delegated to
their representatives
OF course. as time rolls on new
political issues come up, which
should be fairly canvassed before
the people. the first and main ques-
ton is, does the issue counter the or
ganic laws-the constitutional not
then the peoples representatives has
the power TO make the law, based up
on said issue, and it will be demo-
cratic.
Years ago, when a man announced
himself as a candidate for a political
office mot a ministerial Officer es-
pecially Legislative office. he had to
go before the people and state as to
what party he belonged to, and how
he stood on all the political issues
then pending before the people There
was no hope of being elected without
he did so.
A few years ago, as rule. this
was all changed. and the sweet talk
method come in vogue, the candidate
had to still come before the people,
but only to make promises. what he
was going to do for the dear people.
IL elected, but this kind Of stuff fin
ally petered out AT present the
method is so il seems, the moon meth,
cd, as to the candidates politics, and
how he stands on pending political is
sues, he simply gets the endorsement
of few men Of all grades of politics
as to his standing as a citizen This
endorsement is published throughout
the election district, and the endorsee
campaign is ended And the bulk Of
the people are expected to vote for
this candidate. without ever seeing
him. and without knowing his poll
ties as how he stands on pending po-
litical issues.
No wonder a well informed good
man [ man that |. like) asked me:
Judge. what does democracy meant
what kind Of democrat are your"
With all candor | ask can a man
vote for a moon political candidate
without voting blindfolded?
A