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The Commoner.
VOLUME 9, NUMBER H
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XV
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The Commoner
ISSUED WEEKLY.
W1I.MAM J. UllYAM
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THE COMMONER, Lincoln, Neb.
ruption or so marked by wisdom and public
spirit as in tho old Now England town-meeting.
Horo wo find one. of tho happiest and most con
vincing illustrations of an ideal domocratic gov
ornmont in practical oporation, for here is found
,a community as a whoIo actively interested in
tu managemojiiUor public affairs; and through
diroct ViiBCffsslon and participation in tho solu
tion of all tho important questions a wholesome
public interest is stimulatod and maintained.
It is interesting to remember that Thomas Jef
ferson attributed tho breakdown of tho embargo
act to the New England system of town-meetings,
by which tho people as a whole were edu
cated on political affairs and kept in perfect
touch with oconomic issues, and were ablo by
public meetings, resolutions, and systematic and
effective agitation to powerfully influence public
opinion far beyond tho confines of the states
whore theso conditions so favorable to demo
cratic government obtain. President Jefferson,
though bitterly rogrotting tho failure of the em
bargo act, greatly admired the system of gov
ernment which mado its defeat possible, because
in it ho saw the perfect outblossoming of the
domocratic ideal and tho potentiality and
majesty of an united, educated, and alert electo
rate exorcising its sovereign right."
Mr. Flower then goes on to describe the gov
ernment of Brooklino, Mass., said to be the rich
est town in tho world. He says: "Last year's
assessment was levied on $87,172,900. The pop
ulation of the town Is estimated by the munici
pal officers to be 23,500, which we think is a
moderate calculation in view of tho fact that
the poll-assessment was on 6J34 citizens. The
town is surrounded by tho citios of Boston and
Newton. Mr Alfred D. Chandler, one of the
prominent public spirited citizens of Brooklino
and an eminent Boston lawyer, thus admirably
characterizes this unique example of pure de-.
XUOCicXCj
wiNf t0WnJ ofiLers such a demonstration of the
elasticity and adaptability of town government
as Brooklino. It furnishes tho clfw to Teto
solve the general municipal problem. Its solu
tion wi work an astonishing improvement in
all public administration. How to extend Ha
fawn-mooting system to munidpa itie Marge In
population and valuation has at last been
worked out, either for special or for genS
legislation. This was impracticable until the
Australian ballot law and recent unusual munici!
pal tests pointed the way. No town in New
England has repulsed such attacks upon its ex!
lstenco ny. Brooklino. It is completely surround!
boinHi?' U pr?SGnts town eovernment at l?s
best, in tho very heart of city government
Theso facts aro mentioned to SS speak-
ers and workers. Mr. Flower's entire article
on Brooklino should bo at hand and frequently
referred to. It adds in a most emphatic way
to tho forco of tho argument in favor of direct
legislation. ,
From facts let us turn to fundamental prin
ciples. It is well for tho people occasionally to
rovlow thoir rights as held by tho founders of
tho government, and so take courage to demand
them. Hero aro four articles in tho constitu
tion of Massachusetts which should bo commit
ted to memory. Thoy express clearly and for
cibly tho theory of government on which our
nation is founded:
"Art. IV. The people of this commonwealth
havo tho solo and exclusive right of governing
themselves, as a free, sovereign, and indepen
dent state; and do, and forever hereafter shall,
exercise and enjoy every power, jurisdiction, and
right, which is not, or may not hereafter bo, by
thom oxpressly delegated to the United States
of America, in congress assembled.
"Art. V. All power residing originally in the
people, and being derived from them, the sev
eral magistrates and officers of government,
vested with authority, whether legislative, exec
utive, or judicial, aro their substitutes and
agents, and are at all times accountable to them.
"Art. VII. Government is Instituted for the
common good, for the protection, safety, pros
perity, and happiness of tho people; and not for
the profit, honor, or private interest of any one
man, family, or class of men. Therefore, the
people alone havo an incontestable, unalienable,
and indefeasible right to institute government;
and to reform, alter, or totally change the same,
when their protection, safety, prosperity, and
happiness require it.
"Art. VIII. In order to prevent those who are
vested with authority from becoming oppres
sors tho people have a' right, at such periods
and in such manner as they shall establish by
their frame of government, to cause their public
offlcors to return to private life; and to fill up
vacant places by certain and regular elections
and appointments."
In these articles every light is declared that
the people may chooBe to claim a right to re
form, alter, or totally change their government.
The only restriction is that they shall not In
fringe upon powers expressly delegated to the
United States of America.
In article 8 tho fundamental right of recall
is plainly declared. All the people have to do
is to so frame their government as to make recall
possible when required in the interest of tho
public good. These great fundamental consti
tutional rights should ever bo kept In mind.
The times call for "men who know their rights,
and, knowing, dare maintain."
,
0000
THE BLAND FARM FOR SALE
Mrs. Richard P. Bland has decided to
sell the farm of the late Hon. Richard
1 . Bland, near Lebanon, Mo. The farm
consists of one hundred sixty (160)
acres and is well Improved. Mrs. Bland
was awarded the premium at the St
Louis exposition for several varieties of
apples and hay grown on the farm
The farm is brought to the attention
of the readers of The Commoner in order
that they may communicate -with Mrs
Bland or with her agent, Mr. F. R
currie, of Lebanon, Mo., in -case they
desire to purchase this very desirable
property.
00
HELPLESS
The Sioux City (Iowa) Journal, a republican
paper, says "If the Dingley schedules were lef
just as they are there is no reason tobelievft
we would have to worry about revenues til
many years to come." avenues for
It is dollars to doughnutq finf t,
who voted the republlfan t,Cket d the?6
A GOOD AMENDMENT
New York, Ajiril 2G, 1909. Editor Tho n
moner: It may interest your rearer f 1 om
that the American Watch tTt? onVasT
ing the government for protection against fSf
eign manufacturers in the sum of 175 per cnf :
they are also asking tho government tS protect
them against themselves by levying duty on
American watches that are bought by American
dealers in foreign countries and brought back to
this country, under the pretext that they havo
been advanced in value abroad, which in reality
means an Improvement to the value of about ten
Cents and that was done solely to keep them from
being returned to thiB country; therefore I trust
you will seo your way clear to advocate the fol
lowing amendment to the Payne tariff bill, re
garding watches:
"Watches sold in foreign countries that are
a whole or in part of American manufacture
and bearing the name and trade mark of Amer
ican manufacturers, should come into the United
States duty free."
CHARLES A. KEENE.
DECEIVED
The Wall Street Journal remarks: "The
American public is by no means so much op
posed to a tariff revision as would seem to be
tho case." Surely they did not seem to be
greatly in favor of tariff revision when they
voted for a party that derives its campaign funds
from the tariff batons. But, plainly, the people
were deceived by republican promises. Just
now they are talking pretty plainly. Sometime
they may conclude to speak just as plainly on
election day.
THE TAX IS STILL THERE
(Reprinted from Tho Commoner of October 16,
1908.)
(We promise to revise the tariff. Republican
party in 1908.)
There's a tender reminiscence that is. surging
through my soul
As I gaze upon the doughnut with a thin ring
'round the hole;
'Tis a memory abiding of the halcyon days of
yore
When I hollered for "protection" and demanded
"four years more,"
And kept up a campaign singing in a' very lusty
tone
That just what the country needed was "let
well enough alone."
Now the captains have departed, hushed 'the
loud, tumultuous din
And the dinner pail is empty but the tax ia
on the tin.
Yes, the dinner pail is empty, but the tax is on
the tin;
And a ax upon my clothing, and the clothing
There's a tax upon the cradle of the babe of
which I'm proud;
There's a tax upon my table there'll be ono
upon my shroud.
Yes, I cried out for "protection" till my throat
was raw and hoarse, ""oat
Anodf coguio!' g0t ItbUt 'tWaS ln the neck'
YewashtMn?miSe &S Gmpty M th? "Siinient
AlVdn HS? di?ner a11 Is eiPty but the tax is
on tne tin.
"ZVZZXJ.? galIy shouted! wo'n "'
"MfEK was eobb,ea by tte trust8
"oSfTattlf -"oi'" WM our
A"Sao p"01 Cbe6red US " we ma"ed
s&ss bave aepartea to "
AnPobeobra'dpEaef Ur prote(!n " Ptch
AnzrhVbe '"a ana ponto " r
n aen!1 tte Pa" 1S empty' Btl" th0 to"
Rockefeller has his millions that he crabbed
through tariff graft; graDDea
CaSem CmS" "S many' md ttey"re '
teSnS' D"POnt' and tte wh' P'-
L1r1?oraitunch Wh" yUrB truly onIy ets hot
3 l" t0 rP,etion' now a aonnuf '
A1ra;ferrtn" ttat'S M - r.ff
0'ns1heygotaiSB plenty Just aB oa
F.ri,iillnner pa" ls empty but the tax la o
th0 t,n- W. M: M.
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