The Evening standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1910-1913, 1910-10-28
PROGRESSIV E
REPUBLICAN
LEAGUE

A progressive Republican League
has been organized In Utah county.
and the following letter from the
league has Joen addressed TO Senator
Reed Smooth
Open Letter.
Provo. Utah. oct %. l9lO.-Au op-
en- letter 10 the Honorable Reed
Smoot. United States Senator.
Sir.-You said in your speech In
Provo. Saturday October p. 1910.
that the liquor plank in the RepuOli-
can state platform commits the party
10 absolute prohibition in the coun-
tics of this state outside OF iucorpor-
ated cities Of the FIRST, second and
third classes, and you further said
that all the legislative candidates on
the Republican ticket so understood
IT, and 20 make the matter absolute
YOU. as nominal head OF the Republi
can party In Utah, pledged the parry
II elected this fall. 10 enact into law
such provisions, making the counties
absolutely and permanently dry
In answer TO questions directed TO
you at the close of your speech. yoJ
admitted that the platform In this
matter was ambiguous and capable o.
TWO interpretations, bur the purport
OF il was as YOU Indicated.
Now, Senator, since you have shown
your authority-by what source con
ferred We do not know-to thus 20
back OF the official declarations Of
the state platform OF the party and
write into that instrument an addi-
tional plank. and have further as the
head of the party organization, plcdg-
ed the party TO enact into law your
supplementary principle We grow
hopeful OF the cause We represent
and feel prompted to appeal 10 you TO
exercise your unique authority in our
behalf and further supplement the
platform with the matters TO which
our membership are committed To
this end We call your attention TO oar
cause.
1t is no doubt. apparent to you and
your associates I'm the party organlza-
tion that the rank and fle of the Re
publican party in this state are diyll-
ed on this plank, and you might also
be aware OF the existence within the
party OF an element Of So-called lusur-
genCy, which has been and rs now
working to commit the party 10 pio.
gressive Republicanism. as Is = mar
ally throughout the United Stats,
wording TO make the party more p9pu-
lar In its organization, representa- q
of the demand OF the common people.
as would be guaranteed by such me s-
urcs as the following The dir c.
primary law whereby the voters wac
are called upon 10 elect men to office
might enjoy the rl1ht TO select their
own candidates directly rather t0an
through delegate conventions. which
too often are. as they have been, 5ns
ccptihle to persuasion and dictation by
political party machines
This same progressive element Is
also working In many states for tho
initiative and referendum. whereby III
people. on their own initiative. ma
force upon the statute books any and
all laws I'm the interest OF the com
mon people, should the legislature,
county commission Of city council ne
glect or refuse to carry out their VIII;
and whereby these same common peo-
pie might veto and annul any and all
laws proposed or passed by their leg
lslatiye assemblies as would be con
trary TO the will and welfare OF the
voters.
These progrcssives also demand the
right 10 recall from office any public
servant elected by them who should
prove recreant TO his trust. aud objec-
tionable TO the people In the manner
OF his using his office.
They also demand a corrupt prac-
ticeS nct-a law that shall undertake
to prevent the improper use Of money.
favor OF power In the matter OF cleo
tions and legislation
These same pro-rcssives favor the
establishment by law OF a commission
or board representing the people and
empowered 10 regulate and control
big business interests within the state
especially the railroad. telephone tele-
graph and other corporations and per
sons engaged In the public service.
or in business affecting the public
welfare.
Now. the Progressive Republicans OF
Utah county ask YOU since the party
In It's state platform omitted mention
OF these progressive demands. that
YOU pledge the next legislature. in the
event OF the election this fall OF the
Republicans 10 a control Of the same.
10 pass such laws as viii guarantee
the demands herein mentioned and
for your pledge. made publicly We
promise 20 support and vote Tor the
Republican ticket In Utah county and
state.
Should YOU disregard our petition.
we must follow the dictates OF our
consc enccs. and. placing principle
above party. citizenship before poll
ties. W shall vote against our own
party's legislative ticket this fall. as.
scrtlne that it does not represent the
people. Very respectfully. PROGRIcS-
SIVE REPUBLICAN, LEAGUE OF
UTAH COUNTY.