Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-01-30
Progressive. in Formal Array.

(CnYlg13an oCleHCo 'hoAASOA('
II organization is the key to political
achievement. the gentlemen WITHIN the
republican party who have come TO
te known and designated as the pro-
eressfves are today a good bit farther
on their way toward definite accom-
plishments than they were forty eight
hours ago For they have organized
They are definitely banded together in
such a manner that hereafter. when
one speaks their political designation
he will inevitably call to mind for him
self and his hearers circumscribed
body Of associates, membership llst'
an Official executive board, an organic
something publicly pledged to seek
stated political results. by means OF
stated political methods in behalf OF
stated political principles. From this
time on, no doubt, there will be gen
eral disposition on the part OF the pub
lie to look to the progressive organiza-
ton for the true word as to progressive
purposes and policy rather than to this
or that individual who. In congress or
out. may have bid for the laurels of the
faction with clamor that knew not
even factional control and direction.
In the new National Progressive Re-
publican League, we take 1t. the coun-
try now sees the progressive faction OF
the republican party in process OF
cryst aliization. The new light is COM
ing to a focus True, the concentration
is not vet acute: the rays are only
broadly gathered together. They are
Represented so far only by the applica-
ton Of the direct voting system TO the
election Of United States senators. to
non,fn ations Of all elective officials, to
election Of delegates to national po-
litical conventions with opportunity for
the voter to express his choice for
president and vice-president. to use OF
initiative, referendum and recall In
state affairs; and by the advocacy Of
effective laws against corrupt practises.
But out OF this brief declaration Of
purposes there Is vet q central princi-
pie that can hardly be lightly passed
over. even II 1t is lightly stated. For
more than one reason. perhaps for more
reasons that the league itself has in
tinated. there Is a call for serious con-
sheraton Of the new ORGANIZATIONS de-
clared purpose ito establish popular
government"
Here at length Is the issue clearly
stated. No longer in comparative iso-
lation VIII one here, or one there, rise
to declare that the win Of the people in
the United States today is thwarted by
the great special interests. controlling
election TO the end that legislation also
may be kept under control. To reiter-
ate this same declaration. keeping IL
before the people. there IL now a ma
tional organization. ready to mass its
strength behind any political speaker
whose public utterances tally with Its
Views And while the stated purpose
of this organization Is the enactment Of
legislation carrying out its program In
behalf OF the people against the inter-
ests, II must Of course hold itself
snuarely IN opposition to whatever po-
litica1 forces there are that attempt to
secure legislation for the interests 40
against the people.
1.his IL big business. And body Of
men. to a fair degree earnest and
reasonable. and set forth publicly to-
ward such q purpose are advanced by
the simple dignity Of their intent to
position where they can not be dismiss
"a by mere hirt Of the fingers. Their
activities as individuals have in recent
months been hailed IN some quarters
! as presaSing realigrment Of political