Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923 | View Entire Issue (July 22, 1910)
7f "'" j- jr, . UULrY 22, iia 5f -" v ,,tv,'fT-'f!"'ir,TK' ,"--"f- gont public sentiment condemns the man, mat ters not what his ability, wealth or position, who not only refuses to obey tho golden rule, but actually practices its opposite. Ho is felt to bo a mean man, an enemy to himself and his kind. J. W. Dutton, Oakland, Cal. Senator Owen's pertinent question starts out with the disjunc tive conjunction "if." Now if the peoplo indeed ruled, of course, they would then get what they wanted, and there would be no necessity for tho senator to ask why they did not. The serious fact is, that tho people who do tho "ruling" are not "tho people" at all, not oven their honest representatives; they are merely the creatures of great special interests astute professional politicians who, having captured the machinery of political parties, are running the government in tho interests of their employers. They are working politics as a private industry. While we continue to be so handicapped by this com plex political machinery it seems to be impos sible for the peoplo to rule. Take the case of the recent democratic state convention in Ohio. There is not the slightest doubt but that the honest voters of the democratic party in that great state, that is "the people," would like to express their opinion at the polls as to who shall be their candidate for the United States senate, but by the ingenious manipulation of the party machinery by self-seeking men, they are not permitted to do so. The only way that I can see that it is possible for the government to be restored to the people, is to "cut out" all side issues and confine ourselves exclusively to direct legislation. If we had the initiative, the refer endum and the recall, based upon reasonable percentages of the vote cast, wo would be in a position to defy political dictators, and the peo ple could then indeed rule, and would be in a position "to get what they want." F. W. Bigger, York, Pa. The answers to this question are so many, and involve so much his- tory, it would take a volume to answer it fully, so I will attempt but one answer. In most parts of America we have been taught to look upon our representatives as rulers instead of repre sentatives, and as out masters instead of ser vants.' This idea has been1 handed down to us for centuries, and we are not to blame for that we Inherit. We are to blame, however, if we do not try to throw off those false doctrines which have removed the departments of govern ment from our control. For the first sixty years of our democratic republic, our office holding population did, with a few exceptions, acknowl edge their positions as public servants, but when Lincoln became president, the opposite idea at once took root, and a military despotism was established. Citizens were deprived of the right to either think or speak their sentiments. The actions of Lincoln, or his party leaders, all the way through were based upon the doctrine that people elected to public office are masters instead of servants, and that it was treason to think of them otherwise. This is a paTt of aristocratic philosophy to which the leaders of the republican party have always subscribed secretly while never daring to espouse openly. They are republicans, they say; so are the demo crats republicans, but people will not stop to think of the difference between a republican arid a democratic republican, which was the demo cratic party's original name. I think it lies prin cipally in the distinction which I have drawn between the office-holder's view of his position. If he looks upon himself as a ruler he ought to be a member of the republican party, while if he considers himself a servant or representative he ought to be a member of tthe democratic party. This is dealing with principles and not issues. I wrote above that we have been taught to look upon our representatives as rulers, and in confirmation of this, I will quote the twenty third article of the Articles of Religion of the Episcopal Methodist churches: "The president, the congress, the general assemblies, the gov ernors, and the councils of state as the delegates of the people are the rulers of the United States of America, etc." The prayers used in many, yes, most of the churches of this country give one the impression that the president, the gov ernors, and all others in authority "are our rulers," and seldom, if ever, do wo receive tho impression from the pulpit that these people are our hired servants. It would seem that to correct this evil it will be necessary to create such laws as will make it possible to recall those people with diseased minds who Imagine them selves to bo rulers, and to elect others to fill their places. Tho people must have an opportu nity to express their wishes or it will never be possible for their representatives to know what The Commoner. they want Wo may havo to pass through a long period of evolution to reach this state, but tho initiative and referendum aro aiming to that end. Tho mind of mankind is slow, but moves forward to tho end that ho must havo his rights, and ho will unless thwarted by tho powers of evil to deceive and entrap him, thus hindering his progress. God bless Tho Commonor; it is doing a good work. A. M. Mobley, Holliday, Texas. In the first instanco it seems plain that peoplo do rule; they havo tho right by law to cast their ballot for any candidato who is offering his services to repre sent them. That much they rule. Tho peoplo, as a rule, elect tho candidate and give him power and place that rules peoplo, so they rule and they don't rule. That placeB tho peoplo in tho attitude with the old negro who said, "I don't know and I don't know, tho peoplo rules and thoy don't rule." This is tho best answor to Senator Owen's question as I can give. As for getting what they want it seems to mo as com plicated matter as it is to The Commoner. J. M. Burton, Melrose, Idaho. Three reasons why tho republicans rule and not tho people: First, prior to the presidential election thoy give notice to the working men that their shops and factories will bo closed if the republican party is not elected. Second, tho money used direct and indirect to secure votes for tho republican party. Third, If the democrats are elected wo will have hard times just like it was when Cleveland was president. Would it look good to you to take tho eagle off our flag and place a dollar mark in its stead. Then let tho peoplo rule instead of a special few. C. C. Ratliff, Groesbeck, Texas. Our repre sentatives, great and small, to a great extent are elected with money, hence are mercenary men. They must have their money back. Their votes and influence are for sale. They are plat form jumpers, bribe takers and bribe givers. Our United Stales senators and supremo judges should be elected by a popular vote. Dr. J. M. Fulton, Audubon, Iowa. The peo plo do not rule. Why? Because there is a defect in the constitution of the United States. This can be proved, for did not Alexander Ham ilton and Thomas Jefferson disagree over this question as to whether certain parts of tho gov ernment should be elected by the people or bo dictated from the throne. A compromise had to be made or some of tho thirteen original states, ruled by the lovers of monarchy, would not havo joined in the union of the states. Rule by tho people is blocked by the supreme court and the senate of the United Stales. It has been knovn for ages that it is easier to control a few than it is to control all of the people. It is the old question of the populists of Rome against the senate. And now through many years of republican rule shrewd and greedy men have, through the courts, and different heads of the government been able to annul any laws the masses of the peoplo make. There Is a good deal of talk these days about progressives but when they constantly vote with centralized wealth to assist the Alexander type of govern ment we need never to expect to rule. The pro gressive republicans (those who are dissatisfied with the tendency to one man rule) must come under the banner of democracy, where all men are equal under the law and then we will not be burdened by the "rule of the'rich." No, the peoplo do not rule yet! L. J. Coppage, Crawfordsvllle, Ind. In the first place, the people don't know vhat they want. It Is no disparagement of the common intelligence to say that the averago voter has not the time requisite to consider and deter mine the many complicated questions that arise in the administration of the government. Many of those below the averago have not the capacity to deal with tho intricate problems which pre sent themselves to the legislative, judicial and administrative officials for solution. Some have not the facilities for Investigation, and some un fortunately have not the disposition to investi gate unless their personal interest is involved. Herein lies one of the advantages of a repre sentative, over a pure democracy, viz., adminis tration by men chosen on account of their su perior intelligence, impartiality, patriotism and zeal for the public welfare. Could men of this character be always chosen, I doubt not that they would bo more competent to perform the official functions, legislative, judicial and execu tive, than the averago voter to say nothing of the considerable number who are far below tho average In tho second placo, tho peoplo who know what thoy want, don't Bccm to know how to got it. No sensible man whoso llfo or for tuno was at stake in tho courts, or whoso re covery from violenco or disease, would employ a lawyer or a surgeon on account of his party loyalty or zeal, nor on account of his Importunity in begging or scheming for tho Job. Men pro curo good conduct of machinery, successful surgical operations, and cases in tho appellate courts well briefed by selecting for such tasks respectively, those who aro by natural bent, propor education and special training, eminent ly fitted to attain such results. In politics, how over, especial qualification for tho pcrformanco of tho particular functions of tho office, nppears to be among tho last things to bo considered. If men woro selected to control tho ordinary en terprises of llfo with as llttlo regard to their special adaptation to tho respective duties re quired as in choosing officers to mako laws and administer tho government little progress would be made in art, agriculture or manufactures. Wo permit tho vulgar Importunities of tho poli tician wIiobo inordinate lust for office Is prompt ed by avarlco and ambition, to completely over shadow the disinterested patriotism of him who is not only willing, but eminently qualified to servo as a public benefactor if summoned so to do, but is unwilling to blazon forth his own merits or. sorvo as a purveyor of patronage. Thus, bofore a man's fitness for an offico Is recognized ho must exhibit himself ns a dema gogue, thereby advertising ono of tho most con clusive evidences of his unfitness. James P. Murray, Dillon, Mont. As I hoist tho stars and stripes on my residence this memorable day, when every American citizen Bhould feel glad that he Is an American I pauso for a moment to ask the question, are we Indeed a free peoplo? No, we aro slaves; and do tho people rule? No, money and tho powers that bo rule. Trusts, combinations, mergers, all backed by tho multi-millionaires, aro fast sap ping tho very life out of the peoplo and this once glorious republic. And what Is tho rem edy? I will tell you. Elect William J. Bryan president in 1912. Give him a majority in both houses of congress. Then go way back and sit down and watch the results, and see the peoplo rule. He Is our salvation, because ho Is of tho people and for the peoplo. Tho greatest Ameri can of today. G. G. Lclovler. Editor Douglas Industrial, Douglas, Ariz. The people do not get what they want, because as a rule, they do not rule in- fact but by proxy. The proxy does not give what tho people want because thoy think thoy own tho proxyship; In lieu, they give what they want and not what the people want. To Illus trate: They give but the crumbs that fall from their tables, and the people must be satisfied and leave th"e pies to be swallowed by their proxies. As these pies are generally supplies by the corporations, In tho shape of profits, it will be readily seen what chance the peoplo have. In participation. The president and senators as a rule do not think thoy owe any allegiance to the people, but to the party to which thoy belong. They do not feel bound, 'as wo have seen, by any promises made to the peoplo but rather to the party, and they think they owe their jobs not to the people, but to their party. The remedy lies in the election of senators by the direct vote of tho people, so they can turn tho rascals out, and keep tho honest ones in. Mary Wilson, St. Louis, Mo. I would just say they don't rule and never will under such men as Taft, Aldrlch and Cannon. Too much bribing, too much intimidation and too much money used In the election of. scoundrels to office. I must say they are getting what they voted for; they helped to make the times. Let them reap the whirlwind. T. B. Menosmith, Bay City, Mich. First tho "system," the capitalistic class, own a majority of stock in most of tho influential papers. Sec ond, because a large percentage of the voting population depend on daily wages for their daily bread and are made to believe they would lose their jobs if they voted against, contrary to the wishes of their employers. Third, a large number of men who do not depend on daily wages for a living, have obligations to meet at banks and otherwise, and fear a possible panic in case the "system" is beaten by a small ma jority. Fourth, conventional partisanship con trols many votes. The fourth class can not (Continued on Page 7) , ii i II m 1 'M ,.. ,,t i t i - J .: 9 1 MH mu ill M m ; t