The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1911-01-26
PROGRESSIVE REPUBLICANISM.

PROGRESSIVE REPUBLICANlSM.
One of the most important and stri-
king actions of the country. recorded
Tuesday, is the formation by progress
sive Republicans, of the National Re
publican Progressive League, at the
head of which are noted members of
Congress, many governors of states and
prominent men in all walks of life. The
league, it is stated, is not intended to
further the ambitions OF any man or any
set of men but is organized with one
genuine purpose-to unite for political
reform. The object of the League in
nutshell is the promotion of popular
government and progressive legislation.
1t advocates the election of senators by
direct vote of the people; direct prima-
rias for the nomination of all elective
officials; amendments to state cOnstitu-
tons providing for the initiative, refer
endum and recall; a corrupt practices
act; the direct election of delegates to
national conventions, etc. The move
ment is, without doubt, the most ad-
vanced, the most striking and the most
progressive one that has been made,
headed as it is by such men of nigh
character and prominence within sew
eral decades and if earnestly pushed, as
it no doubt will be, viii lead to results
in connection with political reform and
countrywide good government that is
incalculable.
Much do we pirate about politics.
Greatly our standpatters, insurgents,
conservatives, flat failures, tariff sched-
ules, eX- presidential hippodromings pos
tai banks and malefactors of great
wealth agitate the editorial mind. Loud
has been our praise of this man or meas
ure, ditto our denunciation of that other
person or plan. Here, however, we
have a project which can and will re-
ce1ve universal favor, so necessary is it
to our political system and to the coun-
try at large. Here now is the begin
ming of a great change in thought.
The vote.of last November ought to
reveal to the men in charge Of this
Nations affairs that by using their
powers to prevent progressive action
demanded by the public they are sit
ting on the safety valve-that an eX
plosion is certain unless prompt and
sweeping changes and concessions are
made to the people. In the earlier
stages Of our democratic evolution it
was believe that it was sufficient
that the people should elect their
officers; but years of painful and often
shameful experience revealed that this
was not enough. Government by party
is a fixed American policy parties rep
resent schools of political thought and
citizens hesitate to vote against candi-
dates of their chosen parties. even
when party management is faithless
and corrupt, lest they do injury to
favored principles. So gradually, our
best minds came to realize this truth.
Popular nominations are absolutely
necessary to the existence OF popular
government. 1t has been foolishly
argued that nomination of state candi-
dates by primary election is impractl
cable because of the great size of the
vote. How childish this is, is shown by
the fact that it IS decided by popular
vote every four years, for what candi-
dates the states electural votes shall be
cast Let US nominate our state officers
and our United States senators-by
popular vote.
The people have determined to run
this nation. They will run it through
one of the old parties, if they can; but
they are going to run it-and the Ma
tional Republican Progressive League
suggests, by its policy, an adeqeate
means. If the people are forced to
choose between evils they will choose
that which they believe to be the lesser
in this case policy certainly meant
to further their welfare. If the present
leaders of the Nation are wise, they will
not resist the peoples will but obey it
in such measures as will keep progress
steady and within safe bounds. If they
do this, and the peoples will is in line
with the policy laid down by the Nation
al Republican Progressive League, it
will be found that they have here a leav-
ening force of incalculable value.