The Washington times., 1911-01-23
THE NATIONAL PROGRESSIVE RE
PUBLICAN LEAGUE DECLARA-
TON OF PRINCIPLES.

We, the Undersigned, associate our
selves together, as the National Pro-
gressive Republican League
The object of the league is the pro-
motion of popular government and pro-
gressive legislation.
Popular government in America has
been thwarted, and progressive legisla-
tion strangled by the special interests
which control CaucuSeS, delegates, con-
ventions, and party organizations. and
through control OF the machinery of
government, dictate nominations and
platforms, elect administrations, legiS-
iatures, Representatives in Congress,
and United States Senators, and con-
troll Cabinet officers.
Under existing conditions legislation
in the public interest has been baffled
and defeated. This is evidenced by the
long struggle to secure laws, but par
TALLY effective, for the control of rail-
way rates and services, the revision of
the tariff in the interest of the producer
and COn-umer, statutes dealing with
trusts and combinations, based on sound
economic principles as applied to mod
ern industrial and commercial condi-
tionS, wise, comprehensive and I'M
partial reconstruction of banking and
monetary laws, the conservation of
coal, oil, gas, timber, water powers, and
other natural resources belonging to the
people, and for the enactment of all
Legislation solely for the common good.
Just in proportion as popular govern
ment has in certain States superseded
the delegate convention system, ana inc
people have assumed control of the ma
chinery of government. has govern
ment become responsive to the popular
will. and progressive Legislation been
secured.
The Progressive Republican. League
believes that popular government is
fundamental to all other questions. To
this end it advocates:
|. The election of the United States
Senators by direct vote of the people.
>. Direct primaries for the nomination
OF all elective officials.
g. The direct election of delegates TO
national conventions, with opportunity
for the voter to express his choice for
President and Vice President.
T. Amendment to State constitutions
providing for the initiative, referendum,
and recall.
s. A thoroughgoing corrupt practices
act
State Organizations.
The league will cooperate with pro
WreSSiVcS in the several States, and
Wherever acceptable will render as
sistance in promoting the organization
of State leagues.
Whenever requested by any progress
siVe State league or by progressive
leaders in State Legislatures. the Ma
tional Progressive Republican League
will aid in the preparation of appro-
pirate bills and resolutions and VIII
furnish sp...kers and literature in sup
port of legislative action upon the
Iropositions enumerated in the five
numbered paragraphs set forth in the
foregoing declaration OF principles;
Among the signers are the following:
United States Senators.
Jonathan Bourne, jr.. oregon: Albert
J. Beveridge, Indiana; Joseph L. Bris-
tow, Kansas: Norris Brown, Nebraska
Albert B. Cummins, Iowa; Moses E.
CIapp, Minnesota; Joseph NJ. Dixon,
Montana; A j. Gronna North Dakota,
and Robert NJ. La Toilette, Wisconsin.
Governors.
Chester H Aldrich, Nebraska; Joseph
M Carey, Wyoming; Hiram w. John
son, California; Francis c. McGovern,
Wisconsin; Chase, Osborn, Michigan; R.
r. Stubbs, Kansas.
Congressman.
Henry Allen Cooper. Wisconsin: Will
liam J. Carey, Wisconsin; c. II. Davis,
Minnesota: r. H Hubbard, Iowa: G. n,
Gaugen, Iowa; irving L. Lenroot, Wis
eonsin; c. A. Lindberg, Minnesota; Vic
tor Murdock, Kansas; f. H. Madison,
Kansas; Z. A. Morse, Wisconsin; John
NJ. Nelson. Wisconsin; George N. Nor
ris, Nebraska, and Miles Poindexter,
Washington.
Other Signers.
Alfred L. Baker, Illinois; Ray Stan
nard Baker, Massachusetts; Louis D.
Brandeis, Massachusetts: Charles N.
Crane, Illinois; Frank l.. Dingley,
Maine; James r. Garfield, Ohio; Hugh
II Halbert, Minnesota; Francis j.
Heney, California; Frederick G. Howe.
New York; Fred S. Jackson, Congress
man-elect, Kansas: Z. Clarence Jones,
New York; William Kent, Congress
man-elect, California: George S.
LOTUS, Minnesota; William l.. La Fol-
lette, Congressman-elect, Washington:
clifford Pinchot, Pennsylvania: Amos
T0incbof New York. lanes 4 paerSon
Minnesota: George L. Record, New Jer-
sey: Giirert S. Roe, New York: y. S.
.U'ran, Oregon: Merle D. Vincent, Colo
rado; William Allen White, Kansas.
Senator Bourne, president of the
in regard to its organization and pur-
poses; ..-.-. .--....----, -.------.