The evolution of democracy . civil-service examinations, commission governments,citv managers, and recall elections. Instead ofunskilled, corporation-bound and often venal leg-islatures, we are using the initiative and referen-dum and will probably soon install expert legis-lative connnissions with strict accountability tothe people to prepare our laws for our approval. From the old petty Congressional caucuswhich once nominated presidential candidates wepassed to national conventions of legal represen-tatives of the citizen voters, and by the election of1020 we shall probably have the direct
The evolution of democracy . civil-service examinations, commission governments,citv managers, and recall elections. Instead ofunskilled, corporation-bound and often venal leg-islatures, we are using the initiative and referen-dum and will probably soon install expert legis-lative connnissions with strict accountability tothe people to prepare our laws for our approval. From the old petty Congressional caucuswhich once nominated presidential candidates wepassed to national conventions of legal represen-tatives of the citizen voters, and by the election of1020 we shall probably have the direct presiden-tial primary, as we have recently taken over theelection of the two United States senators whoguard the autonomy of the individual state. In place of lobby-guarded and money-boughtlaws, lawless railroads, manufacturers and land-grabbers, we have established the InterstateCommerce Commission. We recognize the es-sential evil of tariffs and liquor taxes; we haveset aside great national reservations and carried 16 ^^J. out vast irrigation and other reclamation of antiquated and extortionate privateownersliip of puldic utilities, we have come tosee the inicputy of granting franchises, and inspite <^f conspiracy, misrepresentation and ob-struction, we now ([uite generally acknowledgethat munici])al ownership promotes higher citi-zenship, more efficient service, economy andjustice. What of the future? Prophecy seldom brings credit, afifection orprosperity to the prophet. First of all he mustshow the inevitable tendency of present condi-tions, which entails condemnation of existmgevils, denunciation of established privilege andexposure of long established graft. It goes with-out saying that no unrighteous system is gomgto support the man who attacks it. To one who has studied the evolution of de-mocracy, it is not hard to predict the future Hneof development. It must be toward more active,more intimate and more intelligent and per-sonally responsible parti
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookidevolutionofd, bookyear1916
