Bisbee daily review., 1910-08-19
MISLEADING APPEAL TO THE FARMERS.

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 perhaps realizing that all other
 classes are for progressive ideas in
 government, turns its attention to
 the farmers of Marieopa county.
 Whether this will be considered by
 the farmers as a compliment remains
 to be seen. They may not appre-
 ciate this standpat appeal made to
 them after everybody else has
 turned it down.
 But the point in the Republicans
 appeal to the farmers against the
 initiative and referendum is found
 in the fact that the whole argument
 is based upon the alleged views of
 Taft and Roosevelt, whom the Re
 publican calls two of the wisest
 patriots of our time" The only
 basis for connecting the two men
 with opposition to the initiative and referendum is the assertion of the Republican that they have an- nounced the real issue to be be- tween the American form of gov ernment and socialism" The Re publican logic is that the initiative and referendum is socialism, there fore Taft and Roosevelt are against the initiative and referendum.
 It is to be feared that the Repub- lican is not keeping track of what is going on at Beverly and Oyster Bay, as well as in some of the of the republican party in the west. The Republican ap- peal to the farmers of Maricopa coun- ty must have been written a few hours after Roosevelt issued his statement with reference to the New York situation. in which he placed himself within the ranks of the progressives. Instead of quot ing or referring to Roosevelt in its to the initiative and refer endum, the Republican might better have cited the example of the dying fragments of Tom Platt's "Old Guard" in New York state, which is Roosevelt. This faction is no doubt opposed to the initiative and referendum. It embodies stand patism gone to seed.
 And Taft? Has the Republican heard the news from Beverly regard ing the new deal" which leaders declare is necessary in order to save both Taft and the republican l party? Ballinger has to go The Cannon and Aldrich influence in l the administration IS to be eiimi- i hated and Taft is to give heed to 1 the voice of protest from Iowa and Kansas. Ballinger is against the ini- ative and referendum. Cannon and I Aldrich are against it. Taft can no onger afford to stand with these nen. He must get away from them, pr the republican party is doomed, md he knows it. He is going to get way from all that standpat influ snce, which still controls the Phoe. lix Republican and he will get closer O the people who are demanding a arger measure of self gover~nenr The entire logic of the situation is hat. whether he personally believes n progressive politics or not, the movement is so strong within the re- eNe-4~e~L ReAN- 70 VOAupCA alt O bow to it. or to align himself with it fin a measure.
 In regard to the assertion of the I republican that the initiative and : eferendum is socialism. attention is ( alled to the opinion of some ad- -anced political students, who have ' ome to the conclusion that the measure of self government provided 5 necessary in order to WARD OFF I SOCIALISM. Between the largest ossible measure of government by !, he people. and the rule of special I rivilege. there can be no compro- lise. The cry Of socialism" will !, eceive no one.