Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1920-02-13
REPRESSION

in Greater New York are today with
out representation in the Assembly
of the State Legislature. The right
of the lawful elected representatives.
of these citizens to sit in the Assem-
bly, has been challenged by a combina-
tion of Democratic and Republican
Assemblymen, one hundred and forty
of whom sustained Speaker Thaddeus
C. Sweet and Majority Leader Simon
L. Adler in their vicious and pre-
meditated assault upon the very fun
damentals of representative govern
ment.
Here is no isolated instance of the
determination of the dominating
groups in both the Democratic and
Republican parties to suppress minor
ity opinion in this country. Despite
the protests of more astute leaders,
the fact remains that the forceful
election of five elected representatives
is but one move in the concerted at
tack upon democracy that has been
waged by both old political parties
with unexampled ferocity during this
past year.
This attack takes now the form of
injunctions prohibiting workers from
striking to better their living condi-
tions. Again it appears in the forma-
ton of so-called Investigating COM
mittees" with the professed purpose
of unearthing seditious activities but
with the practical result of increasing
unrest, creating widespread con-
tempt of law and order and giving
comfort to adherents of violence by
conducting illegal raids and irrespon-
sible press campaigns. Now it shows
its head in barring from the mails
newspapers that voice opinion dis
pleasing to offcialdom. Again it is
evident in the acquiescence of State
and Federal officials in the use of
force and suppression of free speech
and assemblage in the recent steel
strike.
From neither party comes the
slightest hint of any intelligent pro-
posal for eliminating the obvious
economic causes of unrest.
Back Of this far-fung attack, con-
Quoted it is true through pulpit, uni
versity, platform and press but most
effectively of all through plant pol
itical lieutenants in both old parties,
are private individuals, inconsidera-
BILE in number but dominant in in
fuence. These individuals control
the transportation facilities and ma
tural resources of this country. They
hold land and patents out of use for
speculation. Through ramifcations
of their power they have their grip
on the credit systems. The press,
the source of our opinions, is for the
most part under their alert super
vision.
They are aroused to-day because
their control is threatened. They will
continue their assault upon true dem
ocracy so long as they see any evil
dence of intention on the part of the
people to take back the trusts which
they have so brazenly abused.
The abstract principles of law and
order, free speech and assemblage
and minority rights find ready lip
service from the representatives Of
these individuals who are constantly
processing upon the roof-tops their
love for these principles.
The moment, however, that the
people begin to take democracy seri-
ously and demand it's immediate and
practical application to political,
economic and social affairs, chat mo-
ment these docile lieutenants, Repub-
lican and Democrat alike, throw aside
all pretenses and raise the t,'tiIe-cry
of reaction.
Let US not deceive orselves. The
disgraceful incident at Albany does
not mark the height of the campaign
against democracy as so many would
like to have us believe. 1t merely
brings the enemies of Amer AN insti-
tutions into the open. 1t shows them,
unmasked, for what they are. 1t is
significant since it indicates the utter
ircapacity for governing wisely that
is characteristic of both old parties.
1t is beneficial since it clears the air,