The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1910-07-27
Congressman Says So Called In
surgerts Seek to Protect Legiti-
mate Property Rights and to
Furnish Equality of Opportunity
For All Men.

1.-THE socalled insurgent movement
in the two branches of the national
legislature of the United States" said
Congressman Poindexter, speaking to
q large audience in Seattle Saturday,
''is so termed from the fact that men
composing the insurgent forces con-
sist of republicans, who, dissatisfied
with the extreme Subordination of in
divdual ideas and initiative to party
principles and action, required of
them by their party bosses, have COM
bined for the purpose of so changing
existing regulations that the voice of
the whole Legislative membership
may control the policies of the par
ty, instead of the select few socalled
party leaders. This movement started
some ten years ago.
ut has constantly gained strength
until its power was sufficiently for
midable during the last session of
congress to defy. and by combination
with the democratic membership, to
overthrow the long established power
of the republican party leaders in the
control of the rules governing pro-
redure in the house Of representa-
tives.
What insurgency Means.
II shall attempt to enlighten you
as to the principles of these progress
sive republicans, their aims and hopes
and the causes which led to their
break with the leaders and dictators
of the policies of their party, in fact,
what insurgency means.
Perhaps a better conception of
what | mean may be gained by nam
ing certain elements that are in no
way allied with it. The corrupters of
public officials, those who seek to mo-
nopolize the great resources Of the
United States, still part of the ma
tional domain; the politician who
uses his official position to amass a
fortune by himself; the beneiiciaries
of excessive tariff protection; the
heads of railroads who oppose any
government control over them, none
of these have any sympathy with OF
love for progressive republicanism.
ION the other hand, those elements
of our population who would mere
deny that property has any rights
who prefer anarchy to order, thes,
are rot more identified with progress
sive republicanism than the CLASSES
first mentioned. The progressive
movement stands first of all for hon
esty in public life. 1t will never make
alliances which will tempt it to shut
it's eyes to graft in high places
Campaign contributions from specia
interests will not influence it. Exec
utive tariff beneticiaries and trust
controlled industries will not shape it
policies.
Rely on Constitution.
progressive republicans see in the
constitution of the United States, no
a shield for the protection of Wrons
but great instrument designed fol
the preservation of the rights of mer
to the pursuit of happiness. They
believe that as civilization has adj
vanccd and its changing conditions
may make the constitution made
quate to fully preserve these rights
il should be amended to conform t,
the prevailing spirit of our time they
believe that men of great wealth who
violate our laws should be given the
same Kind of punishment as ordl'
nary criminals. that the doors of ou1
penitentiares should b" open to al
alike, rich and poor, who are guilt!
of criminal conduct.
"Progrcssive republicans seek t,
protect legitimate property rights am
rnish as far as possible equality O
opportunity for all men. 1t seeks {,