The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-24
This Avowed Purpose Of New
National Progressive
League
BRING PARTY CLOSER
TO ALL THE PEOPLE
Designed to Give Voters Di-
rect Voice in Selection OF
President But Not in In
terest of Any Candidate

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.-Sailing
blithely over the political sea the
newly launched ship, National Pro-
gressive Republican League. Is the
sensation OF the hour here in botn
congressional and administrative cir
cIes, and the opinion of members or
the organization as to its purposes
were sought eagerly on all sides to-
day.
is it to fight raft's renomina-
tion2''
Does At mean third party in
1922" and
Are they running LA Toilette or
Cummins for PRESIDENT"
Such questions were heard all
around the Capitol. Conservatives
asserted that II WAS IA scheme TO
gobble the Republican party. The
leaxuers replied that II was plan
to separate the party from the in
terests' and the bosses that serve
them.
kilograms from progressives In
mary Stat IS, reaching members of the
league to-day. increased their conn.,
dence that the league Will become
q widespread popular movement Fer
sonal expressions as to the objects OF
the league obtained from some OF the
organizers to-day included the follow
ing:
Not u Third Party.
Senator Bristow tRepublicanl, Of
Kansas:
1T Is not movement to organize
third party. but for the purpose OF
promoting the things which we de-
clare for. We are in favor of the
legislation outlined. and We intend to
werk to- bring about the enactment
into Law, through the Republican
party. Of the principles we set forth.
we believe that the welfare of
this country requires that the respon-
abilities of the government be placed
more directly upon the people them
selves, and when offsce-hoiders are
held to account directly 10 the peo-
pie, they will legtsiate more in the
peoples interests. That IL the rea-
son we are going to undertake to
bring about the enactment OF these
laws
From the national point or View,
the movement to elect delegates To
the national convention at general
primary and TO provide way for eN-
cry citizen TO express his choice for
President In that primary. is, In our
Judgment. OF geat Importance. AS 1t
is now. delegate goes to the ma
tionai convention. usually for the
purpose VI getting something Tor
himself He wants to stand In with
the administration, and he viii cast
his vote too frequently for the man
for President from whom he thinks
he can get the greatest favor, we
think he ought TO cost his vote for
the man. majority OF the people
In his district want for President, In
stead OF the fellow who will give him
some office"
No Political scheme.
Senator Dixon tRepubiican). of
Montana. to-day said:
The formal statement Issued In
behalf of the league covers the
ground, The object is TO get little
closer to popular government. That
IL all. Any report that there Is a
political scheme OF any kind behind
the movement Is wholly lacking In
truth"
Representative George w Norris
tRepublican1, Of Nebraska. floor
leader OF the hoase Insurgents, said:
The distinction must be drawn
that this Is not q new party. Ii is
an organization OF Republicans es-
sentially. 1t has not in its platform
any concrete propositions of Iegisia-
ton but IL confines the platform to
methods that win apply to all legis-
lation. For instance. every member
Of the league Is in favor of tarir
commission. non partisan and perma-
- Heht.-M We nH agree uu that PROPOSE
ton. but the platform does not men
ton II. The organization is for the
purpose Of giving the people an OPP
portunity OF accepting or rejecting
such propositions.
Not Aimed ut Taft.
Norris was asked II the league was
organized for the purpose of further
ing or defeating the political for
tunes of any particular person. and
he declared emphatically that It was
not.
4"wtli It injure the chances of PRIEST
dent Taft for denomination In 1912"
he was asked.
III the people want Taft it win
help him. II they do not 1t will in
5ure him." he replied.
Representative Cooper tRepubli-
CAM, OF Wisconsin, said: This Is an
organization OF those who believe IL
will be for the best interests Of the
nation and will promote the welfare
of the people. to have the principles
In the platform Of the league enacted
will do anything legitimately posi-
BILE by vote and influence. 1t Is not
designed as means OF furtherinx
the political purposes Of any man or
men. the underlying motive being
patriotic purpose to enact some laws
that the country greatly needs. and
that the people demand"
Interest Of Party and People.
Representative Gronna. senator
elect from North Dakota, said: THE
purpose Of this organization Ii to
bring the Republican party around
TO the principles that we have set
forth in the declaration of principles,
We want 70 bring the party back to q
poaitton OF responsibility to the peo-
pie. where It can have the confidence.
and support OF the country, and gain
control The movement "a all In the