The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-01-23
Peoples Rights Have Been De-
MED by Special Interests
Which Control Caucuses,
Delegates and Conventions
League FavOrs Direct Election
U. S. Senators, Direct Primar-
les, Direct Nomination of
President and Vice President
Also Amendments to State Con-
stitutions Providing For lni-
tiative, Referendum and Re-
call-Plan to Extend Through
out Nation
Especial from United Press }

Especial from United Press.)
Washington, Jan. 23-Carrying pos
sibly greater significance than any
political movement in years. the for
nation of the National Progressive
Republican league was announced
here today. Backed by nine United
States Senators, six Governors, 1a
members of the House of Represen-
tatives and many other prominent pro-
gressives, the new organization binds
itself to make nationwide fight "for
the establishment Of popular govern
ment."
Representing the progressive wing
of the Republican party, the league
was looked upon here, today, as the
progressives to gain control Of the
party before the next Presidential cleo
tion.
In the Senate, the organization is
composed Of the LaF'ollette-C -Cummins-
Beveridge faction, with Senator
Bourne, (Rep. Ore.) named as pres
ident of the league. On the House
side, the Norris-Murdock insurgent
element forms the representation.
Among the private citizens appearing
in the original list are William Allen
White, of Kansas; Louis D. Brandeis
of Massachusetts,; Clifford Pinchot,
former chief forester: James r. Gar
field Of Ohio; Francis j. Heney, Of
California; Ray Stannard Baker Of
Massachusetts, and many others.
The declaration Of principles-the
platform of the new organizations
as follows:
I'VE. thet undersigned, associate our
selves together as the National Pro-
gressive Republican League.
''The object of the league is the pro-
motion of popular government and
progressive legislation.
Popular government in America
has been thwarted and progressive
legislation strangled by the special
interests which control caucuses, dele
gates, conventions and party organi-
cations and through control Of the
machinery Of government, nominations
and platforms, elect administrations.
gress and United States Senators, and
control cabinet officers.
Under existing conditions, legisla-
tion in the public interest has been
baffled and defeated. This is evfdenc-
ed by the long struggle to secure laws,
but partially effective, for the con-
troll of the railway rates and services;
the revision Of the tariff in the inter-
est Of the producer and consumer:
statutes dealing with trusts and COM
binations based on such economic
principles as apply to modern indus
trial and commercial conditions;.
wise, comprehensive and impartial re-
construction of banking and none
tary laws; the separation of coal. oil
gas, timber, water powers and other
natural resources belonging to the
people; and for the enaction Of all leg
islation solely for the common good.
The Progressive Republican Lea
que believes that popular government
Is fundamental to all propositions. To
this end it advocates:
THE election of United States
Senators by direct vote of the people.
2-Direct primaries for the NOM
fnation Of all elective officials.
"3-The direct election of dele
gates to national conventions with
opportunity for the voter to express
his choice for president and vice
president.
"4-Amendment to state constitu-
tfcns providing for the initiative, ref
erendum and recall.
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