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Commoner.
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WILLIATI J. BRYAN, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
CFike
Vol. 3. No. 4.
. Lincoln, Nebraska, Feb. 13, 1903.
Whole No. 108.
A CALL TO ARHS!
. Democrats who are democrats from principle should assert themselves. Not only is it their duty to do so, but they need to do so
if they would j-ave the party from disaster and demoralization. Reports from every section of the country make it certain that those who
left the party in 1896 under the pretense of opposition to bimetallism are making a systematic effort to regain control of the party with a
view to placing it in the position it occupied under Grover Cleveland's administration. In this they are being aided by the hss extreme
representatives of the corporation element that voted the ticket for regularity's sake w thout endorsing the platform. These elements
do not work openly and honestly, but covertlv and through agents who beg for "harmony." -
It is time that loyal democrats were aroused to the danger confronting their party aud its principles. It is time they were organ
izing to combat the insidious influences at work within the p irty to republicauize it and make it acceptable to the corporation interests
for a democratic party that espouses principles acceptable to the trusts and the money power is democratic in name only. Only thorough
organization will be effective against these undemocratic influences. This work of organization should begin now and be prosecu ed with
vigor. The best way to go about this work is the organization of clubs within the party in every voting precinct in the country.
These clubs can arouse enthusiasm, perfect organization and see to it that delegates elected to nominating convent ons are men whose
opinions are -known and whc&may be relied upon to carry out the wishes of the majority aud they should be instructed by the people at
the primaries. These clubs will enable Kansas City platform democrats to know each othcr-and to act together. They will also furnish a
means of supporting democratic principles. By circulating democratic literature and debating public questions they may bring pending
propositions and existing policies before the people. The work of organizing these clubs should begin without further loss of time. With
a view to forwarding the work of organization The Commoner will furnish upon application a form of constitution and membership blanks
to all who request them, and every rea er of The Commoner: should appoint himself a committee of one to perfect the organization of a
clubjn, his. prec .net, without, delay., Jcource.oLstudywill.be,outlindin4C
.the subjects suggested. -
Secretaries are asked to report organizations, notice of which will bz made in The Commoner for the information of other com
munities. DO NOT DELAY ! ORGANIZE NOW !
A Reformer in Office
Tho readers of The Commoner had occasion
to. rejoice when a Kansas City platform democrat,
Hon. Lucius F. G. Garvin., was elected governor
of Rhode Island, for they knew that he was in
terested in doing something more than drawing
his salary and enjoying the honors of the position.
They will he glad, though not surprised, to know
that Governor Garvin is justifying their hopes and
expectations. He begins his message to the leg
islature by using language which the republicans
may regard as sacrilegious. He -points to the
great productive capacity of the United States dur
ing the year 1902, but instead of attributing this
prosperity to tho republican administration he at
tributes it to our "vast natural resources and to
the industry and enterprise of our people." He
calls attention to the abuses of governmental
functions of the state first, the passage of laws
by one general assembly which cannot be amend
ed or repealed by subsequent assemblies; second,
tho establishment of a board of police commis
sioners which spent money raised by taxation, .al
though not responsible to the people who pay
the taxes; third, the post-election sessions of the
general assembly which passed laws that they
would not dare to pass before an election; fourth,
tho domination of a third house, causing legisla
tion to be sold to the highest bidder. He also
points out that the theory of representative gov
ernment is constantly violated in Rhode Island,
and that under 'ihe constitution of Rhode Island
one-twelfth of tho inhabitants living in small
towns possess as much influence as eleven-twelfths
of the people living in large cities. He calls for a
constitutional convention, and points out other
needed reforms.
The eastern democrats are looking around for
a presidential candidate. Why is it that they Ignore
such timber as that furnished by Rhode Island?
"Why is it tljat they pick up men who have never
expressed themselves on public questions and have
never given any evidence of sympathy with the
people? Why? Because the reorganizing element
of the party does not want a president who would
bo democratic In office and who would use tho
great prestige of the presidency to protect tho
people from the encroachment of organized
wealth.
Governor Garvin lives in an eastern state,
but he would be as obnoxious to the reorganizes
as any western or southern believer in tho Kansas
City platform. If he were to announce his candi
dacy for the presidency he would be assailed as a
Bmall, insignificant, narrow-minded man, "an ac
cident in politics," and as a person lacking tho
breadth and depth which the metropolitan papers
are in the habit of conferring upon those who are
under secret obligation and pledge to the cor
porations. The democrats, however, who are interested
in good government and such democrats are
quite numerous on election day will rejoice that
little Rhode Island is going to havo a taste of
democracy. Governor Garvin will have their best
wishes as he tries to secure remedial legislation
for hlff constituents.
Alexander Hamilton's Plan
A Chicago reader of Tho Commoner takes tho
editor to task for saying that Hamilton's proposed
plan of government provided for a president and
senators for life. The reader referred to says that
that statement "has no foundation in fact," and
suggests that Hamilton's plan was to havo them
servo during "good behavior." What is the dis
tinction? If a man holds office during good be
havior and cannot be put out except by impeach
ment, wherein does his term differ from the term
of one who holds office for life, but can also be put
out of office by impeachment?
Hamilton's plan will be found in the appendix
to the Madison papers, page 581. In a note it la
stated that Colonel Hamilton placed in the hands
of Mr. Madison for preservation a document out
lining his idea of "tho constitution which ho
-would havo wished to bo proposed by the conven
tion." A copy of this document was Kept by Mr.
Madison and published by him, tho original having
been returned to Mr. Hamilton and found among
Hamilton's papers at his death. In future years
Hamilton, forgetting the text of the paper, was un
der tho impression that in his plan the president's
term had been limited to three years. Section 9,
article 4, of Mr. Hamilton's proposed constitution
says of the president that "he shall hold his place
during good behavior, removable only by convic
tion, on impeachment, for some crime or misdo
, meanor." Section 6, article 3, says of the sena-
tors tlfat they "shall hold their places during good
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