The Commoner
----, WILLIAM J. BRYAN, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
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VOL; 11, NO. 10
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TTie Recall
Senator Bailey 'a resignation (and the -withdrawal
of the resignation) has given to the
initiative, referendum and recall more advertise
ment than the direct legislation league could
have purchased with a million dollars, and ad
vertisement is all these reforms need. As soon
as the people understand them they will adopt
them shocking as this may seem to those who
think that these reforms will destroy the institu
tions bequeathed by our fathers. As the recall
is the reform least understood, and therefore
most violently attacked, let us examine this
method of dealing with officials.
There may be differences of opinion as to
how many signers should be required in order
tor-invoke the recall, but that is merely a matter
of detail. When the right of recall is admitted
the percentage required to call an election can
be fixed by agreement among those favoring the
recall and it will probably be a compromise
between extreme views as to notice of elec
tion, time required for consideration and means
used to inform the public. These also, are
matters of detail and do not affect the right
itself. Such safeguards will be thrown around
the use of the recall as experience may prove
necessary. But as to the right of recall two
questions are raised:
First Have the voters-a right to terminate
the contract entered into, when the candidate
accepted the office? This question cannot arise
Yf the candidate is elected after the adoption
of the recall, because he will take the office sub
ject to the right of the people to recall. But the
'question could not give much trouble any way,
because provisions could be made, If necessary,
for'.the salary- to be paid for tho unexpired term.
If an official demonstrates his unfitness for an
office the people can much better afford ta pay
him while not serving than to allow him to
serve even without compensation.
The second question the only real question
in fact is whether the recall so robs the official
ot independence as to injure the public service.
This question admits of but one answer. Why
should a public official be independent of the
wishes of his constituents? It is an aristocratic
r-not a democratic conception of representa
tive government that contemplates that the rep
resentative will be indifferent of the wishes of
his constituents. The democratic theory is that
the people will think for themselves and select
representatives to give expression to their
thoughts. The moral and intellectual standard
of the representative will not be lowered by an
increased watchfulness on the part of the public.
Banks have not lost anything in standing and
character by the fact that they are now
examined and may be closed without a moment's
notice. On the contrary, the banking level has
been raised and it will be raised still more when
the law requires the bank to give absoluto
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CONTENTS
, THE RECALL
s A SPECIAL SESSION PROGRAM
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ROCKEFELLER'S PASTOR
MOVING ON MEXICO
EXIT THE OLD GUARD
DENVER PLATFORM
,,'f MICHIGAN DEMOCRATS
.THE COMMONER'S WORK FOR THE -
f PUBLIC GOOD
"NEVER SO DRAMATIC A FILIBUSTER"
OPINIONS ON THE BAILEY RESIGNATION
"NAGGING AT BRYAN"
HOME DEPARTMENT
WHETHER COMMON OR NOT
WASHINGTON NEWS
- ? ! NEWS OF THE WEEK
Lincoln, Nebraska, March 17, 1911
Whole Number 530
A SPEOTAIi SESSION PROGRAM
How impossible It Is to read the future! Who
would have prophesied January 1st, 1009, that
by July 1st, 1911, aa income tax amendment
would have been submitted by a republican
president, senate and house, and ratified by a
majority ol states? Who would have predicted
that by that time an amendment would havo been
submitted for the election of United States sena
tors by popular Tote? Who expected tariff re
duction so soon? And yet tho special session
democrats wanted but could not compel is hero
and brought by the "old guard 1"
Now democracy has its chance. Let it im
prove it; let it meet tho responsibilities of tho
hour.
First Let it ratify the reciprocity agreement
tho failuro to ratify which brought tho special
session.
Second Let it admit Arizona and New
Mexico.
Third Let it submit a constitutional amend
ment providing for election of United States
senators by direct vote.
Fourth Let it reduce tho tariff, schedule by
schedule, and either relieve tho people or pre
sent an issue for tho president and his party
to meet.
Cannonisin has already been overthrown and
there ore other reforms that need attention, but
tho ones .mentioned come first. Now for business.
security to depositors, so officials will be better
when the betrayal of trust the embezzlement
of power is dealt w.lth as a crime.
But if Independence is the thing desired, is
that not already menaced by frequent elections?
If independence is necessary, how can we secure
it except by life tenure? How can a congress
man, act independently if eleven months after
-the first regular session convenes his consti
tuents may defeat him at the polls because of
some vote he has cast or some speech ho has
made? In state and city the situation is tho
same. The recall asked for would only be in
voked on rare occasions, while the form of re
call which wo now have in frequent elections
acts as a restraint on all officials and acts con
stantly. How can we condemn the proposed
recall as dangerous or destructive, and at the
same time approve of short official terms?
And does not impeachment act as a restraint
on independence? The regular election is a
form of impeachment; it gives the people a
chance to remove at stated times, by refusing
re-election. The recall simply goes a step
farther and permits the voters to shorten the
term when, in their judgment, the official has
betrayed his trust. The fact is, that opposition
to the recall is a reversion to aristocracy, plu
tocracy and monarchy. Tho objection rests upon
a distrust of tho capacity of the people or upon
a contempt for their rights. Because the people
have a right to self-government and the capacity
for self-government, and because the people
are conscious of their right and confident of
their capacity, they favor the recall and will,
in time, secure it.
ROCKEFELLER'S PASTOR
Rev. Charles F. Aked, John D. Rockefeller's
pastor, has announced to his congregation his
probable resignation, and In so doing ho gave
expression to his disappointment at the failure
of the church to live up to its possibilities. As
there was no lack of money 'in the church
Rockefeller himself could have supplied, with
out sacrifice, all the money the pastor could
have used the explanation must bo found in
lack of inclination. If the pastor Is deeply
interested in applied Christianity he cannot be
blamed for desiring to escape from the pesti
lential moral atmosphere which surrounds the
oil magnate. The only criticism is that he did
not anticipate this very condition. If he will
re-read Christ's explanation of the parable of
the Sower he may have a new appreciation of
the Savior's wisdom when ho declared that
"Tae cares of this world and deceitfulness of
xtefees choke the truth."
Mr. Bryan in Tennessee
Mr. Bryan addressed tho Tennessee legisla
ture at Nashville, February 18th. Th Naih
villo Tennessean gives the following report of
Mr. Bryan's address:
Mr. Bryan was Introduced by Representa
tive G-. M. Miller, of Marshall county, who said:
"Mr. Chairman, Members of the General
Assembly of Tennessee, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Somo years ago a prominent minister of this
state was called to tho pastorate of a church
In a distant state. Upon reaching his new field
of labor, he held a conferenco with tho officers
of his charge and inquired of them as to tho
progress of tho church. Ho was informed that
tho church was not prospering; that ono addi
tion had been made to tho church in several
months, and that was a very small boy. Tho
minister was interested in this boy, and as
sisted him In every possible way toward a
better life.
"This boy became a regular attendant at
Sunday school and mid-week services, and soon
the officers of tho church were proud that ho
was a member. The minister, after some years
of labor, left tho charge and went to another
state; tho boy also moved to another state.
"This young man had so Impressed himsolf
upon the life of his pastor that he watched his
course with a great deal of interest. Ho saw
him in Nebraska as a factor for good in the
state; he saw him in congress associated with
Governor McMillln and others, preparing an in
come tax law; he saw him three times selected
as the standard-bearer of a great national
party.
"It is this boy, now tho most distinguished
citizen of the nation, who is the guest of our
fair state; and it is but fair to say that more
ideas of governmental affairs advocated by this
man havo become crystallized into national laws
than any other man In the last 100 years.
"X am not unmindful of tho honor conferred
upon mo by tho committee to present to you
this most distinguished visitor, and the nation's
distinguished son, the Hon. William J. Bryan."
Mr. Bryan was greeted with enthusiasm which
was evidenced by universal applause as he rose.
Mr. Bryan spoko as follows:
Members of the Senate and House of Repre
sentatives and Gentlemen: I esteem it a very
great honor to be invited before your legisla
ture to deliver an address. I recognize the
prominent position which your great state occu
pies among its sister states; I recognize the
conspicuous part that Tennessee has played in
tho nation's history, and I appreciate tho op
portunity that Is thus given to mo to deliver
an address upon subjects of Interest to a group
of men to whom has been intrusted the direc
tion of your governmental affairs at this time.
I need not assure you that in speaking to you
I recognize that I speak purely as a citizen.
I am entirely conscious of the fact that my
words will carry no weight except as they com
mend themselves to your judgment and your
consciences, and I am not sorry that in speak
ing I must speak, under this seeming embarrass
ment, for I think I can speak with more free
dom when I know that you are free to reject
that which you do not approve. One who speaks
with authority speaks under restraint, for when
people must obey when they cannot refuse, the
responsibility is so great that one Is fearful
that his words may have a force that they do
not merit. But when one can speak as I speak,
and allow what he says to havo influence only
so far as you think the words deserve influence,
he can then say. what he pleases and you bear
the responsibility with him. And yet I shall
not abuse tho courtesy that you have extended
to me; I shall not endeavor in speaking to you
to force upon you any ideas which I may enter
tain alone, or in company with but few. Rather
let me be the voice, if I may, of a large number
of people and let me present to you some
thoughts which are the result of a large ex
perience, not of my own, but of tho multitude.
I never address a legislative body without
being impressed anew the duties of the legist
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