Evening times-Republican., 1911-06-24
WILLIAM e. oDELL, STUDENT OF
POLITICS, DISCUSSES PoLlrlc-
Al TENDENCIES.
PRINCIPLES MUST BE HELD
ABOVE PERSONAL AMBITION
Mr.. 0deII Questions IL Iowa Has Gained
by Progressive Support Of Carroll and
Other Standptters Because They
Wore Nominees Of Party-Move-
mont Born in Wisconsin.
Special to mes-Republican.

. Des Moines, June 24.-William e.
Odell, of this city, lawyer, student,
publicist, a man Of keen observation
and forceful, one who has dene some
effective campaigning for the progress
sive cause, in an interview given the
writer is rather disposed to recall the
Iowa progressives back to the begin
ment.
"The birth Of the progressive or in
surgent movement" he says, "was oc-
casioned by reason Of the offensive
and dominant influence in national and
state affairs, both political and legisla-
tive, Of the corporate power of the ma
ton. This influence finally aroused the
public conscience that resulted In all
of the national and state legislation
along the lines now familiar to the
old world today. This is a good time
to recall this fact and let it become
we'll understood by all who discuss
public questions.
'The real purpose and hope OF the
future is the establishment and recos-
milton of the principle of representa-
tive government as distinguished from
government by corporations or special
interests. The danger, I apprehend, in
Iowa in particular. is that the desire
and anxiety Of a few progressives for
political preferment will affect injur-
iously their patriotic motives and
thereby weaken their power and in
f1uence in the contest for the greater
principle of representative government
which is the real issue involved that
at any time interests the patriotic citi-
zens and which has but little force or
effect upon the mere politician or
chronic office seeker.
Principles and Not Men.
IF the progressive republican or
ganization in Iowa or elsewhere" con-
tinued Mr. Odel!, sis now to be used
to perpetuate men in office or to en-
able others to obtain official recogni-
ton, then in that event, to the rank
and file who are not office seekers, the
movement is but sounding brass and q
tinkling cymbal,' Notwithstanding what
has been accomplished in the past ten
years. If this Is a correct estimate OF
the present situation the newly self
appointed managers little appreciate
the meaning and Importance Of this
great movement on the part OF the
people CHaC HOW cNlC1luS lIOul lIle AZ
lantic to the Pacific oceans. TO the
non office seeker this awakening Of
t.ae people a!ang these patriotic lines
is far greater and more important
than the personal or political ambi-
ton Of any man or set Of men, and in
wolves finally representative govern
ment. and we protest against the mar
rover construction.
Principles Above Party.
"1n the heart Of the progressive
movement there can be found no place
for the partisan or the chronic office
seeker It rests with the people upon
principle and not upon party success.
When there Is collision the party
must give way or else the movement
collapees Individuals must realize
now that this movement is one on the
part Of the people and not for the
benefit Of any individual.
"The progressive sentiment in Iowa
under proper direction is as strong
as elsewhere and will so remain unless
the confidence Of tho people in the
good faith of the movement is destroy
ed. If party success is the thing most
to be desired, and principle shall be
sacrificed for that. then the patriotic
voter will soon -epudiate the party and
its managers. This proposition seems
self-evident. but II not, proof is
abundant; for example. last fall. Sena-
tor La Toilette from his sick bed is
sued a circular to the Wisconsin vot-
ers He made no other appeal. Among
other things he said:
DO not permit either political
party to fool you into voting for un-
desirable candidates. Your only weap-
on is your ballot, and If the republican
party places in nomination undesirable
candidates vote against them
Upon this statement Of policy La
Toilette carried his state at the pri
mary election by over 100000 major
ity. Can it be successfully maintained
that tie proper method of establishing
progressive PRINCIPLES is the election Of
standpetters because they happened to
be nominated at thesprimary?
Iowa Pays Dearly For Party Success.
"FIas tho election Of Carroll md
other standpat nominees IN Iowa been
a good thing for the progressive move
ment or an injury? Have we not paid
dearly for party success, and how is it
expected that the people at large will
submit longer to this political game
which breeds conditions that prevailed
here all last winter during the session
OF the legislature WHICH was only end
ed at the close of session when from
fear Of returning home without the
election OF senator these patriotic
heroes finally elected the only candf-
cate :c- the position that possessed
senatorial timber in his composition If
the political game had not been played
by both progressives and standpatters
alike this question Of the proper man
to elect would have been as apparent
at the beginning of the session as 1t
was after three months Of foolish en-
deavor to accomplish a result that
would have reduced the standing Of
the state in the eyes OF the nation.
Movement Born in Wisconsin.
'It is mistake to think that the
progressive movement is Of recent orr
gin: it has only become revolution in
later years. AS far back as 1872 it had
taken root and form in Wisconsin To-
cally. The people Of that state about
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