The Washington bee., 1911-09-16
NATIONAL INDEPENDENT
LEAGUE?

LL@kAGOEs
A careful study OF the so-called
National Independent Political
League and its methods of opera
ton leads to the belief that the race
has only scandal and shame to reap
from it. The organization is not
league IN any legitimate sense of
the word 1t is, more properly
speaking, a loose association of in
dividuals attracted to one another
by the desire of personal gain and
aggrandiZenlent, and assuming the
name league to conceal their real
motive and to the more effectually
advance their real purpose. The
organization IS in no sense indie
pendent; on the contrary it is ab-
Solutely dependent. 1t is not sup
ported by funds raised from among
those claiming membership in it, or
from among persons who are them
selves independent and wish to en-
courage independence in others. It
is supported mainly, if not entirely,
by funds donated by Democratic
organizations and individual Demo-
Gratis. In proof of this assertion
we cite the report made by Rev.
!. Milton Waldron to the annual
meeting held in Columbus, Ohio, in
1909.
But apart from this there are
things occurring and things which
have already occurred that, when
the time comes to give the public
the benefit of them, will result in
very unpleasant disclosures. There
is the constant assertion that the
league is in debt, and every time
this debt is mentioned it has grown
bv leaps and bounds. In 1909, it
was in excess of seven hundred dol
lars; in 1910, it was stated to be in
excess Of nine hundred dollars III
1911. it has been stated in various
sums ranging from fifteen hundred
to tWentv-One hundred dollars.
Every time the debt is referred to
it has grown. There have been bit
ter quarrels between leading spirits
in the league" as to a division of
the funds collected from Demo
cratic organizations and individ-
uals. Letters appealing for contri-
buttons to defrav travelling eXpen-
ses" have been sent out broadcast.
Persons identified with the league
are to be seen about the Capitol
Building, when Congress is in ses-
sion. holding conferences with
Democratic members OF Congress
Why should an independent be
conferring with a Democratic Con
gresham or a Republican Con
gresham. either, for that matter
No Democratic statesman and nc
Republican is interested in fnanC-
ing any genuinely independent po,
litiCal movement. Democrats are
interested in movements which art
Democratic at heart, and Repubh
cans are interested in movement
which are Republican in aim. Thl
is natural, and everybody having
sense enough to get out OF
shower of rain knows it. There ar
members OF the sO-called indie
pendent league who are open an
Outspoken Democrats, and hav
been so for years; the Rev. L. {
Moore is an example. As much a
we doubt the wisdom OF such a
affiliation, we respect the man. be
cause he appears to everybody l
his true colors. But when a ma
puts on the livery of independent
to serve the Democratic party II
he forfeits the respect of rigf
thinking and acting men. becaus
he is trying to appear to be whi
he is not; he is a deceiver.
The insincerity of the address
the country issued at the BOStO
meeting of the league" is appa
ent on its face. Here is one proc
of it. The address singles Pres
dent Taft out by name for censul
in matters of appointment to offit
and lvnching. It contains no Gel
sure of Governor Foss, GovernC
Dix or Governor Wilson, all Den
ocrats. for failure to appoint co
ored men to office in MassachuSett