The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-11-05
ALBERT BEVER|DCE
IS A PROGRESSIVE
No Danger of Him Deserving
Cause-W Wayne County
Progressive Pivot.
az CARL MOTE.

IL tHc Danny mountain air OF S"lLZ-
erland has effected any change in his
political ideas. he is even more pro
gressive than he was when he went 10
Europe five months ago. Now he is
Tor the initiative and referendum, and
he was converted while abroad.
Beverage declined to join the nat
ional progressive league two years ago
and 1t has been limited that he could
not. at that time, accept the leagues
position on the initiative and refen-
dun and therefore remained without
the fold Of the progrcssivcs' organiza-
ton
In the long career ahead Of the ma
ton, the position Of one man upon
public question does not grcaly matter,
except for as far as his own future is
concerned. The progrcssivcs in Ind-
ana have been hoping that BcvcriGge
still would be progressive in thought
and political activity but they had not
reached the point Of believing that the
fate OF the progressive movement de-
pended altogether upon Bcveridge He
IS young. active, thoroughly we'll in
formed upon public questions and we'll
groOmcd to lead any movement with
which he might associate himself 1t
is certain that he will add greatly to
the progress OF progressive thought
among men OF all parties.
Beveridge's article on the initiative
and referendum in the current issue Of
The World Today may be regarded as
the expression of his latest views on
the subjects. Bcveridge may be ex-
pectcd to take position on every
public question Of the future but he is
not much given to interviews and his
present beliefs may be dcduced from
his views of the initiative and refcren-
dun in the Swiss republic, rather than
any definite statement he made about
the twin reforms in this country.
Asked what he would do in the
period before the opening of the next
campaign. Beveridge pointed to a pile
OF manuscript on the table and emu
merated the "orders" he has from var
ious magazines for special articles He
is Fastening the preparation of his
book on Canada and this will take
some Of his time. The former senator
is not concerned in political progress
and may be expected to get into the
next campaign with the supreme pur-
pose OF crystallizing sentiment in fav-
or OF progressive ideas. There was
time when the Indiana senator con-
sidered Senator La Toilette, progress
i've candidate for president, too rad
ical," but 1t may be guessed without
fear OF going wrong that their polit-
ical swan songs now would sound in
unison, like the music OF the spheres.
II Beveridge takes an active part in
the next campaign in this state. as he
may be expected to do, the reaction
aries will find HIM the most annoying
thorn they have yet encountered. They
proclaim publicly that his political
power is broken but really they fear
the hold he has on the people and they
recognize the difficulties ahead of
The whole fabric of the reactionary
organization is built around the choice
patronage at their disposal and it is
impossible for them to conceive of
any very widespread political move
ment upon any other than a selfish
basis. When they are told that the
days when men fought for principles
have not passed. they smile. They
consider the statement as incredulous,
as they believe progressiveness here
teal.
The rebuke Of Wayne county re-
publicans to the county central COM
mittee last for their refusal to enter
tain Senator LaFollette "officially"
was one of the most significant polit-
zeal developments in recent months.
After the committee had met. voted
that "by the exchange Of thoughts and
ideas mems opinions are broadened."
and in the face Of that declaration re-
fused to entertain LaFollette. more
than 100 shop men gave public ex-
preston to their disapproval.
The shop men will entertain La
night perfected an organization for
that purpose. Their desire to hear the
progressive gospel will find express
ion in action rather than words. The
high cost of living was discussed and
the position of Senator Beveridge in
the progressive movement was COM
mended
Il believe Senator Beveridge burned
the bridges in 1910" said a prominent
Wayne county republican who ad-
dressed the shop men. land ! think
there is no doubt about his being ac-
lively associated with the progressive
movement in Indiana"
Wayne county may become the
pivot about which the progressive
movement in this state will turn. This
county was made progressive several
years ago. and 1t has remained stead
fast. In 1910. there was difference
Of more than 1000 between the vote
Of w. O. Barnard. standpat candidate
for congress and the legislative ticket,
pledged to support Senator Beveridge.
The 1900 votes represented the pro-
test of the independent voters OF
Wayne county against standpatters
and standpat policies.
The democrats probably will hold
their state convention early next year
BILLY" O'Brien. auditor of state, be-