The Advocate and news. [volume], April 05, 1899, Page 2, Image 2

About The Advocate and news. [volume] (Topeka, Kan.) 1897-1899

Image provided by: Kansas State Historical Society; Topeka, KS

                
AfKlL 5,
2
THE ADVOCATE AND NEWS.
I A Simple and Inexpensive Remedy. 5
v 5
Direct Legislation a Way Out of th Cojshm and Corruption Which Hakes
J Representative Government So Imperfect. t
legislate on the subject, although the as
i' ' ' ' , , "'J ''''"
Prof. W. H. II. Lccky, Conservative mem
ber of Parliament, author of "Democracy
and Liberty," "History of European Mor
als," etc.:
"The referendum would have the im
mense advantage of disentangling Issues,
separating one
great question
from the many
minor questions
with which it
may be mixed.
Confused or blen
ded issues are
among the great
eHt political dan
gers of our time.
It would bring
into action the
opinion of the
great silent class
es of the commu
nity and reduce
to their true pro
portions many
movements to
which party combinations or noisy agita
tion have given a fictitious prominence. The
experience of Switzerland and America
show that when the referendum takes root
in a country, it takes political questions, to
an immense degree, out of the hands of
wire-pullers, and makes it possible to de
cido them mainly, though perhaps not
wholly, on their merits, without producing
a change of government or of party pre
dominance." From Democracy and Lib
erty. Col. David B. Henderson, Republican
Congressman from Iowa and Chairman of
Judiciary Committee:
"It would be a great advantage to a pub
lic man if expressions on measures could be
had from the
people, and in a
general way I can
say, without hes
itation, that any
plan which will
enable the people
to know what
they are think
ing; in other
words, to let A
know what B, C
and D believe
cannot do other
wise than good,
and, above all, an
intelligent ex
pression of the
mass of the vot
ers on any and
all leading ques
tions would be of great value to public ser
vants. On these two leading propositions-
in untrammelcd ballot and the free, intelli
gent expression of the people I will ever
be found favoring both, and can be so
quoted. Whatever is done should permit
the fullest discussion before the vote is
taken, so that the citizens may compare
notes fully and Ihe questions discussed may
enter into the campaigns among the peo
ple." Rt. Hon. Arthur James Balfour, M. P.,
First Lord of the Treasury and leader of
Conservative party in House of Commons:
"If under the leadership of this or any
other government, the House of Commons
is to be deprived
of its deliberate
functions and the
House of Lords
checked in the
exercise of its
constitutional du
ties, then a direct
appeal to the
people, and that
alone can save us
from the greatest
legislative disas
ter." Speech in 1895.
Rt. Hon. Chas.
C. Kingston, Q.
C, Premier and
Attorney Gener
al of South Aus
tralia, and Pres
ident of Federal Convention:
"By the declaration of policy made by
the present government on taking office in
1893 the referendum was spoken of most
approvingly.
"Since then the present government at
the general elections of 1890 included the
referendum in their policy and took a vote
of the people at the same time on certain
sutrirested amendment of the education
laws.
"We have not vet asked Parliament to
'i ' , '' 'V '. I;
V' ; ' .V.! ' ' I'
sembly elections in 1890 were altogether
favorable to the government; for federal
ii alters have occupied a considerable por
tion of parliamentary attention,' which has
also been given to questions of great domes
tic urgency.
"You will note that both at Adelaide and
Sydney, at the sessions of the federal con
vention, much attention was given to the
question of the referendum, particularly in
connection with the solution of deadlocks
between the two houses.
"I am sanguine that at no distant date
some form of referendum will be introduced
into the constitution of this colony."
Extract from letter to one of the editors.
It. S. Thompson, Prohibitionist, editor of
the New Era and the Beacon, of Springfield,
Ohio:
"I advocate direct legislation, because:
First. It is inherently right. The divine
right of the peo
ple to govern is
now recognized,
and only through
direct legislation
can that divine
right be exer
cised. "Second. It is
practical. Under
our present bal
lot system there
is no difficulty in
submitting to a
direct vote of the
people all laws
that are likely to
require such ref
erence. "Third. It is
the only manner
In which we can get a fair expression of the
will of the people in regard to each separate
question that is up for settlement. Under
our present system people are compelled to
vote for measures which they oppose in
order to obtain the measures which they
favor and to vote against measures which
they favor in order to defeat measures
which they oppose. It is therefore the only
method of securing the will of the majority
in regard to every important measure.
"Fourth. It will do away with the boss,
the boodler and the lobbyist. Corporations
could not afford to buy legislatures if the
acts of those legislatures could be reversed
by the people; neither could they elect cer
tain candidates if those candidates were
powerless to aid them after election.
"Fifth. It is the only practical way of
securing the reforms of which the country
is so badly in need."
Prof. J. R. Commons, Professor of So
ciology in Syracuse (N. Y.) University:
"One of the most important issues before
the American people at the present time is
bribery. JNo re
form movement,
no citizen s'
union or the like
can fully cope
with it. A des
potism, a mon
archy, an oligar
chy, and aristoc
racy can be cor
rupt and survive;
for it depends
upon the army
A republic, a
democracy, de
pends on mutual
confidence, and if
bribery shatters
this confidence, it is of all forms of gov
eminent the most despicable. It can sur-
ive only bv the army and the police.
"The referendum is the only complete
and specific cure for bribery. It alone goes
to the source of corruption. It deprives
law-makers and executives of their monop
oly of legislation. I hey can no longer
'deliver the goods.' The secret ballot, ofli
cial primaries, civil service reform, propor
tional representation, are all needful, but
thpv nil liiiv( to n. few the mononolv or
government and the power to sell at a
monopoly price. If they should all be
adopted, the immense interests dependent
on legislation will pay not less but more
money, and will control them. Even public
ownership of public enterprises, although
it ultimately destroys the largest corrup
tion fund, must first be brought about by
legislation, and this will be the signal for
a carnival of bribery more profligate than
anv hitherto seen.
"With the referendum, the use of money,
whether honest or corrupt, will be almost
abolished. In fact, the main objection to
the referendum is that it defeats sound
reforms as well as 'jobs,' because the peopl
lack confidence in their law-makers. In
1
.v
the lonsr run it is too conservative. It will
disappoint the radicals who now advocate
it. The conservatives who now oppose it
will be its hottest champions. The initiative
will give but little help in this direction.
Other reforms, particularly proportional
representation, are needed for progressive
legislation. But that is in the future. Bri
bery must first be settled. Every citizen,
whether conservative or radical, can unite
at once on the referendum, the only death
blow to bribery. The political machine and
the boss will then go, too, for they will
have no corporation treasuries to feed upon.
After that we can think of positive re
forms." Judge W. L. Stark, Populist-Democrat
member of Congress from Nebraska:
"In this country for more than six years
our party has platformed the initiative and
referendum. We
have explained
the doctrine in
meetings until
matter is fairly
understood. Per
sonally, I am
convinced that it
is the fundamen
tal reform. Our
political cam
paigns are but
' AS: 7K. :;i
Wars of the
Roses.' Jefferson
was right: 'Trust
the people.' Lin
coln was right:
'A government of,
for and by the
feople.' I am for any proper plan to en
urge the rights of the people and curtail
the powers of ollice-holders. I will be glad
to do anything I can to forward the initia
tive and referendum, as I consider it one
of the greatest reforms of our time."
W. S. Carter, editor of the Locomotive
Firemen's Magazine:
"Whenever people are represented in leg
islative matters, either by individual per
sons or political
parties, they are
necessarily d i s
franchised in all
questions upon
which there ex
ists a difference
of opinion be
tween themselves
and such persons
or parties repre
senting them.
For instance, a
voter may favor
a protective tar
iff and at the
same time may
favor the free
coinage of silver.
The Democratic
platform and candidates during the last
campaign were pledged for the free coinage
of silver, but were opposed to a protective
tariff. The Republican party favored a
protective tariff, but were opposed to the
free coinage of silver. Thus, when a voter
cast a ballot favoring a Democratic candi
date he exercised his franchise in favor of
free coinage, but defeated his object so far
as protection was concerned, if he was in
favor of a protective tariff. If he had voted
the Republican ticket he would have exer
cised his franchise on the question of tariff,
but would have stultified himself so far
as his desires for free coinage of silver were
concerned. Direct legislation would provide
for the enfranchisement of all voters on
all subjects and at all times.
"When the people are represented in leg
islative matters, either bv individual per
sons or by political parties, they are often
betrayed by such representatives. Legisla
tive action and special privileges are bought
and sold to-dav as commodities. Direct
legislation would immediately and effectu
ally prevent such legislative corruption
representatives would no longer sell legis
lation or special privileges, because there
would be no buyers; lobbyists would no
longer purchase legislation, because repre
sentatives could no lonirer 'deliver tne
goods;' dishonest men would cease to buy
legislative positions, because their dishon
e&ty could not bring tnem revenue in sucn
positions: special privileges couia not te
bought when only obtainable through
direct legislation.
Prof. Thos. K Will, President Kansas
State Agricultural College:
"1. Concentration of authority in the
past has always resulted in the building up
of some at the expense of the many, and in
the ultimate overthrow of liberty, .hxam
plea are afforded bv aristocracies and mon
archies almost without exception, and by
non-representative republics, as the Roman,
in which authority was lodged in the hands
of a few citizens of the cap tal.
"2. Power is now becoming concentrated
in a few hands in American cities and States
and in the American nation. The wieldera
of this power represent but few. They can
not be effectively reached by their conatit-
44 Love and a Cough
Cannot be Hid"
It is this fad that makes
the lover and his sweetheart
happy, ana sends the suf
ferer from his cough to hh
doctor. Bat there are hid
den ills larking in impure
blood. " Ihe liver is wrong'
it is thought, "or the kid
neys." Vid it ever occur
to you that the trouble is in
your blood?
Purify this river of life with Hood'a
Sarsaparilla. Then illness will be ban
iHhd, and strong, vigorous health wil'
result. Hood's Sarsaparilla is the best
known, best endorsed and motit natural
of all blood purifiers.
Nervousness " My mother suffered
from nervous weakness and loss of appetite.
My trouble was Impure blood, disordered
stomach and sleeplessness. Hood's Sarsa
parilla cured both." John V. Gkuuabt, Box
170, Mlddlctown, N. Y.
DY8CeD3la - " For six months my sys
tem was out of order with dyspepsia and
Impure blood. Spent lots of money In vain,
but Hood's Sarsaparilla cured me thor
oughly for $1." Jos. S. Zanha, Genoa, Neb,
Malaria-" I was a soldier, and after
typhoid fever, I had fever and ague, rheu
matism, and nervous prostration so that I
could not work. Nothing helped until
Hood's Sarsaparilla cured me completely
so that I lose no time now." J. II. Stillman,
Cheltenham, Pa.
Scrofula-" For months I went to hos.
pita! for treatment of scrofulous ulcer
without results. They said It was the
worst they ever treated. I tried Hood's
Sarsaparilla. Twelve bottles entirely cured
me." Cyrub a. Upham. Needham, Mass.
Diphtheria - " My little nephew ' was
troubled for two years with sore throat
and tonsilitis. Was threatened with diph
theria butlllood's Sarsaparilla warded It
off. He is now entirely well." Inez G.
Reed, Oak Hill Ave., Watcrbury, Conn.
Poor Health "I never saw anything
beat the way Hood's Sarsaparilla lifted nm
up. It sharpened my appetite and Rave me
a new lease of life. I can work every day."
Freeman N. Bixbt, Meredith, N. II.
lOodS SaMafywiit
Hood's rills cure liver Ills, the non-lrrttKtlnR and
only cathartic to take with Hood's SumRjiiirllla
uents until their terms of office expire. The
balance of powet among them is often he'd
by the venal, making possible the purchase
of legislation by those possessing purchas
ing power. In consequence, legislation be
comes often a matter of dollars and cents.
When legislation can be bought, it not
infrequently follows that the agencies of
wealth production, and especially of wealth
distribution, fall into the hands oi tne
wealthy, the result being such a manipula
tion of the industrial system as results in a
further enrichment of the rich and impov
erishment of the poor. Among the most
potent of the engines of inequality may be
mentioned the machinery of taxation, both
direct and indirect, and of currency and
banking and Bpecial privileges, as embodie I
in franchises and monopolies.
"3. Direct legislation has been tried, as
in Switzerland, and has proved eminently
successful.
"4. With us such legislation might bi
expected to enable the people to get what
they want in legislation, or to ascertain that
their wants are unattainable; to check bri
bery by making it relatively impotent; to
prevent the betrayal of a constituency by
its representatives; to stop the accumula
tion of needless and foolish, and to render
far more difficult the enactment of vicious
legislation; to concentrate attention on
measures rather than on men, on real rather
than on sham issues, and on the public
good rather than on party success; to dis
sipate the fog aa regards what an election
has settled, and what the people have actu
ally voted for (at present, with our medley
political platforms, and the immeasurable
influence of cash payment and the personal
equation, it is practicably impossible to de
termine the meaning of an election), and to
cut the ground from under the feet of the
advocate of violence by making attainable
needed reforms and rendering possible
peaceful progress. The danger, therefore,
that necessarily accompanies the increasing
delicacy of the social structure would be
minimized, for without confinement there
can be no explosion."