The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-11-12

I'M AND SUN-TELEGRAM,
political methods, do away with the !
need of third parties, and enable peo-
pie. without deserving their party. to
their commondesires.
Propose Uniform Law.
1t is proposed that uniform law be
enacted in all 48 states, providing
way by which people may at any time
have a direct vote on any question
of national legislation. This could be
done very easily by state laws and
without waiting for a Federal amend
ment
This proposed state law would per
NIT the people of any congressional
district on a 10 per cent petition, to
cause any question to be placed on
the ballot at any regular election. 1t
would provide for the submission Of
questions at a special election on petit
ton Of larger number of signatures
say 20 per cent of the voters.
In this manner a direct vote could
be had on the Plumb plan Of railroad
control the government ownership OF
mines, or any other question which is
or which may become of absorbing IN
| terest to the public.
Without an amendment of the Fed
eral constitution such popular votes
would not be legally binding on con-
gressmcn. But the law could make
the moral obligation so strong that it
would be almost as good as a constitu-
tlonal amendment.
Shows Effect Of Law.
For instance. the law could provide
that before the names Of candidates
for congress could be printed on the
ballot, a statement should be required
declaring catcgorcally whether the
candidate does or does not agree to
abide by any such vote which may be
taken in his district
The obligation could be made even
stronger by providing that the state
mtnt of tho candiciat" must be printed
conspicuously Immediately above his
namc on the ballot.
This would establish legal method
by which the voters might instruct
their senators or representative in
congress.
Suppose, for instance, it were pro-
posed to settle labor disputes and
stabilize industrial conditions by TAX
ing the railroads and the mines out
Of the hands Of profteers. and put
ting them under control of directors
representing the government and the
workers, and providing a method Of
arbitration and profit sharing. SO that
strikes would become a thing of the
past and the workers made virtually
partners in the business with the
public.
If such plan We're urged by a Re.
. publican candidate for congress most
!, Democrats, distressing the source,
. and if a Democrat stood for this pol.
icy the Republicans would scorn it.
But if such a proposal could be well
thought out and presented directly to
the voters at a general or special
election, party prejudice would be
eliminated. Men are very loath to
change their parties. but if it were
= possible to vote on issues, people
would often vote together while in
voting for men and parties they are
hopelessly divided.
What Chance Has 1t?
What is the chance of getting such
Of the union?
j. The chance is excellent at least In
: nearly half Of the states. for in &C
e states such law could be brought to
S vote by the constitutional initiative
S and passed by direct vote Of the
y people. There is likely to be a con
t certed action in these states to plar
S such a measure in the ballot for &
r direct vote in November, 1920.
n Such measure, if placed on the
d ballot, in the initiative and refercn
d dunn states, would certainly be ad
S opted.
e Thus the system Of instructing con
l. gressncn could be established il
f nearly half Of the nation by the peopl'
r themselves, and what is eXceedingl,
A. interesting, the system could be G,
J. tablished in November. 1920, so tina
5. it could be used il lnstructing GU
S next American congress.
l. Such a system would cut acros
d party lines. 1t would dispense Will
any need for third parties. Withou
d destroying parties it would provide
e way by which the people of all pa r.ie
l. could get together in the measure
n which they favor. This would stinu
= late interest in public policies.
h would be highly educational. 1t woul,
n help to produce al enlightened publ
opinion and that is the only salvation
# Of republic. 1t would help to stee
r the country between the dangcrou
:, rocks Of industrial Prussianism o.
c the one hand, and BolshevisIn on til
W other.
" No Room For Violence
There is no room for violence i
this country The miners have jus
set q wholesome example. Order j
the first necessity. Obedience to Law
loyalty to established government.
: the beginning OF all progress. Blu
we must also strive to give the peopl
democratic control over their govern
ment and keep all the cha nnels ope
for free discussion and honest lade
pendent voting.
The people have felt divorced fror
their government. They must be NAL
vicd to it.
1t would certainly help to reviv
faith in orderly democracy and be
good aEtidote to revolutionary vas
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