A Betrayal of Trust by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jan 24, 1911

A Betrayal of Trust

By Editor

A Betrayal of Trust.—We suppose that when progressive politicians advocate the initiative, referendum, and recall, they mean what they say. When they declare that the people should speak at the primaries and so overthrow the corrupt party caucuses, they are sincere and mean to respect the voice of the people at the primaries. This latter has been repudiated by the California Legislature. The primaries gave Mr. Al. G. Spalding an overwhelming majority for United States senator; but the legislature has elected, contrary to the expressed wish of the people, Mr. John D. Works. Now we know nothing of the character or comparative ability of these men. Judge Works may make a better senator than Mr. Spalding; that is a question which only actual experience can demonstrate, and is not the point of this note. The action of the legislature, it seems to us, is a gross breach of trust, an exceptionally bad example. Apart from its effect on political ambitions in the future, which the people may remember, what will be its greater educational, moral effect upon the people and the aspiring young men of the State?