The sun., 1910-05-16
WHAT THE INSURGENTS WANT
OWEN or OKLAHOMA EXPLAINS
THEIR AMBITIONS.

Talks 70 the American civic Alliance with
n. Lafaystte-aaVAy and HsnFy CleWS
Both PFesent-lA Feilotte and Hb
Followers Are Just HOusecleAners.
Senator Robert VI. Owen Of Oklahoma
told an audience gathered yesterday
afternoon at the Columbia Theatre under
the auspices Of the American Civic ALI
ancs that the aim Of me insurgents Al
Washington was 20 bring about honest
government within their party. alone "
they could. but in conjunction with the
Democrats u they had TO.
Il was not a large audience that gath
cred 10 hear the OklAhoman. The Ameri-
can Civic Alliance is a body over which
y. L.afayette-Savay used 10 preside and
which at . recent convention undertook
70 corral under Ia organization all Of the
civic societies Of tho country. Henry
Clsws presided at yesterdays meeting.
After Mr.. Lafayette-Savay had deliv-
cred lengthy address upon -Ths Spirit
Of the Tines Mr.. CleEs introduced tho
Senator from Oklahoma a. one who could
tell New York audience something new
and informing about that mysterious
body in Congress which was doing things
under the name Of insurgents.
The insurgents In the Senate and the
House Of Representatives represent a
protest Of Intelligent patriotism against
leadership inspired by special privi-
lege.- said Senator Owen by way Of in
PRODUCTION. The greatest evil Of the
Government Of the United States. na-
tional. State and municipal. is the too
potent influence Of commercial interests
over the party organization. party man
Agement and consequent control Of Gov
ernment. Il 10 just this infiuence which
the insurgents combat.
when Robert ". Ia Follette began a.
an insurgent in Wisconsin he did - on
the theory that the great body Of the
Republicans of Wisconsin were honest.
that the leadership was not homes, hut was
working oorruptly and in partnership
with special privilege exploiting the
people of the State. He determined not
10 abandon the party but 10 drive the cor
r1ipt leadership out Of Il. IL was a hard
battle and il has not yet fully succeeded.
but many victories for the doctrine Of
righteousness and the peoples rights
have been won.
When senators D0lliver and Cum
Minis ~ Iowa. Bristow Of Kansas and
Clamp and Nelson " Minnesota faced the
cautains nf the senate on the lats tarin
ball Il was a conflict between the repre-
santatives of the people ot the Repub-
lican ranks of Iowa Kansas and Mime
-ota and the representatives ~ the
machine of Rhode Island. MASSACHUSETTS,
and other machine States engaged IN
promoting special interests ~ the eS-
penso ~ the people. when victor Mur-
dock Morris and Cooper ard the tnaur-
gents Of the House faced Speaker Cannon
and his Committee on Rules they repre-
sented the protest of the people behind
them against the ironclad rule Of the
machine. which had placed the judgment
and the conscience of the party In power
In the House in the keeping Of one man,
who was regarded by them a. safe and
sane.
That man ls safer and saner now
His commercial and political allies have
rapidly become safer and saner also.
senator Owen then put before his au- !
dience categOrically just what in his
conception the Insurgents stood for. !
Ne recited their platform tersely thus:
The insurgents In Congress represent |
a protest Of the people against the rule I
Of the few: they represent a protest Of /
righteousness and fair dealing against |
the craft and sOrdid meanness Of special /
privilege intrenched by possession Of the |
machinery Of great party. They repre- |
sent lower prices for the people against |
To-
aThe Insurgents stand for reform and |
an improved condition within the ranks |
Of the Republican party. u that be pos
zihle. They are marching steadily In the /
direction Of the rule Of the people against /
the rule Of the few. The chief insurRents /
believe cordially in ths election Of Sena- |
tors by direct vote Of the people; they |
believe in the initiative and referendum, |
the mandatory primary honesty registra- !
tion, the Australian ballot and a fair |
count, in tlve corrupt practices act, IN |
the right Of recall. The distinctive badge /
Of insurgency Is integrity and courage
under dificulties.-
The speaker said that the regulars
Of the Republican party in Congress /
support special privilege. high tariff, /
the cutting on Of foreign competition |
They are opposed. he said. TO election Of 4
senators by direct vote. the mandatory /
primary ana, m short, everything that Il
the Insurgents sponsor. They ARP too /
crafty. said the senator from Oklahoma, /
10 express this opposition by word Of /
mouth except when driven 10 L. They /
lee their sentiments be known by the way /
they vote and by crafty opposition
senator Owen referred 70 the speech |
made on May s by senator Jonathan 4
Bourne on the Oregon law a. the best /
speech on good government ever made |
in Congress. The State government Of |
Oregon, said he. represented all that /
the Insurgents stood for.
Both parties arc affected by machine /
politicA' said senator Owen, and the \
party IN power Infinitely mors. because |
the party IN pOWennan deliver the rewards l
Of corrupt bargaining and the minority 4
party cannot. Corruption In public life |
knows no such thing AZ party. Il IA q /
question OF opportunity and Of oppOr-
tlInitY alone.
An honor 70 the Insurgents who are
making q gallant hRht Tor the purginR /
of ths party 20 which thsy belongi All l
honor 70 tho Democrat who refuses 70 /
recognize o. connive at organised ras- /
cAlity on the inside Of his own partyl'