URBAN COMMUNITY PROBLEMS 777 



stealthily obtained are shared between the conspirators, who thus 

 oblige the public to purchase articles at an advanced price. There 

 remains much to do to found an effective economic order resting, so 

 to speak, on axioms which would be received as those on which 

 modern democracy has been established. The present economic 

 order of things is still often blurred by the stain of its origin, for it 

 was drawn up by the privileged classes. Let democracy also come 

 here and put things aright. The rule of life is reciprocity, Confucius 

 says, and the gospel upholds the same principles." 



Thereupon Initiator denounced another peril. He insisted on the 

 duty to fight systematically against the demagogues who but too 

 often succeed in imposing upon a community their disgraceful 

 tyranny and forming a state within the state. " This grave pro- 

 blem," he asserted, " is not solved by intermittent fits of indigna- 

 tion. All the energy of good citizens should be employed to thwart 

 the rascals, whose only aim is to take possession of power and then 

 divide the spoils and to make allies by corruption and unworthy 

 promises. The domination of such men is spreading its pestilential 

 effects in all directions. To support them in any way, even by 

 remaining indifferent in their presence, is a crime. But let it be 

 remembered that the institutions which have permitted the poli- 

 tician to burrow his way into our public administration, like a rat 

 into the floors of old houses, have to be remodeled according to 

 the fruits of experience. And here we would like to have the 

 following measures taken into consideration: 



" First. State supervision over local boards, for self-government, 

 however desirable, may be abused by astute men ready to shout: 

 ' We are masters here, close the doors! ' And again a detailed 

 publication of municipal accounts wherein the sums paid and the 

 names of the persons receiving them are fully stated. This would 

 not be a superfluous incumbrance. 



"Extension of the principle of direct democracy are represented 

 by the referendum, the popular initiative, and, last but not least, 

 proportional representation, this reform being the principal instru- 

 ment for the regeneration of public life. Besides, there ought to be 

 compulsory voting and an extensive local option for various issues. 



" Finally, the starting of an independent press ready at any time 

 to expose and break abominable rings." 



"The supreme task," Initiator continued, "will consist in stimu- 

 lating morality. There are holy crusades to organize against drunk- 

 enness, gambling, libertinism, obscene literature, the demoralizing 

 theater. Every effort is needed 'to develop institutions, secular and 

 religious, official and private, all associations which aim at pro- 

 pagating instruction, education, a taste for wholesome pleasures 

 conducive to good health, both physical and moral. 



