United labor bulletin., 1911-10-12
PR0GRESSIVES WILL
NOMINATE CANDIDATES
Progressive Republicans Send
Out Notices for Convention.

The following is. a copy of letter
which Senator Jonathan Bourne, Jr.,
president of the National Progressive
Republican League, yesterday addressed
to every member of the Republican Ma
tional committee:
My Dear Sir:-In the near future the
Republican National committee, OF
which you are a member, will meet to
issue call for the next Republican Ma
tional convention, at which candidates
for president and vice-president will be
nominated. In behalf of that large ma
jority of Republicans who believe in di-
rect primaries, l earnestly request you
to insist that when the call is issued it
shall contain a strong recommendation
that in all states wherever practicable
the state committee call presidential
primaries at least so days prior to the
Republican national convention thus
giving every member of the party an op-
portunity to express his preference fof
party candidates for president and vice
president.
This system of direct vote for candi-
dates has already been established in
five states. having been first adopted in
Oregon in 1910 by the enactment of my
presidential preference bill. | enclose
herewith copy OF the Oregon law which
has been followed in substance in laws
since enacted in Nebraska, North Da-
kota, New Jersey and Wisconsin. Where
that law has not been enacted and where
state laws do not prevent, a popular
/ vote can be had in primaries if state
/ committees so direct. and I believe they
viii so order if requested by the ma
tiOnal committee.
| I urge this action upon you because 1
| believe it is right in principle. expedi-
ent as party measure and beneficial to
the industrial welfare of the nation. 1t
is right in principle because the mem
bers of the party are entitled to an ef-
fective voice in the selection OF candi-
dates they are expected to support for
election II is expedient as a party
measure. for no party candidate could
go before the country with a stronger
argument than that he had been Sc
lected by a direct vote of the members
of his party and not by a convention
dominated by operators of a steam
roller. Is it wise to ieopardize the
election on the assumption that the
| party electorate will subsequently sup
port candidate nominated by steam
| roller methodist
Popular selection of candidates for
president and vice-president would mean
a saving of hundreds of millions of dol.
lars now wasted through industrial in
activity due to the unsettling of condi.
tions incident to every presidential cam.
party electorates would select for their
nominees the individuals possessing the
confidence of the greatest number and
the general electorate would elect the
man in whom they had the greatest con
fidence. Confidence in our government
is a prerequisite to full business eff
cheney.
Assuredly this plan of nationwide
presidential primary should receive the
cordial Endorsement of every man who
contemplates being candidate for the
nomination. No man could consider him,
self a presidential possibility If he cues
tened the ability of the people to ex-
press an honest and intelligent choice
amonE men who aspire TO be the ma
tion's chief public servant
The power of popular selection of
candidates is of utmost importance TO
sood government. for the ballot is OF lit.
tie value to the voter If he must cast il
for one Of two candidates. both selected
by federal Office holders or professional
politicians. Let us make this in fact. as
we'll as in name. truly representative
government.
Yours very truly
JONATHAN BOURNE. JR.,
President National Progressive Republi-
can League.