The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1911-07-20
GATHER At FARGO AND FORM
STATE BRANCH OF NATIONAL
PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE.
A. G HANSON, FARGO, PRESIDENT
Resolutions Condemn Practices Of
Existing Organization, Assert
ing Special Interests Con-
troll All Branches.

Fargo, N. d., July l5.-PrOgreSslVo
Republicans of North Dakota fired
the first gun in the campaign for the
nomination of Robert M. La Toilette
LOT president, but without going on
record. Meeting here in the number
OF about 200, they organized a state
branch of the National Progressive
League. They did so with the assist
ance of Clyde Jones, Of Chicago, ma
tlonal organizer, while prominent
progressive leaders Of the state, men
like Thomas z. Marshall, Joseph De-
vine, Frank Tucker, Arthur Fowler,
former Senator Kraabel, former SEN
ator George M. Young, former Sem
ator Beecher Cox, former Representa-
tive Fred Tragnor, Judge Lander,
Speaker Hanley, j. A. Buchanan and
others We're present.
At the banquet which was given in
Prizes hall in the evening the chief
speaker was Congressman Gilbert N.
Haugen, of Iowa. Addresses were
made by Organizer Jones and by
many of the we'll known North Da-
kotans present.
Officers Elected.
The officers of the league are: A.
G. Hanson, Fargo, president; Beecher
Cox, Valley City, first vice president;
Thomas Hall, Bismarck, second vice
president; G. ]. Traynor, Devils Lake,
Secretary; III. M. Johnson, Lankin,
treasurer
The following resolutions were
adopted: "We, the undersigned asso
ciate ourselves as branch of the Ma
tlonal Progressive Republican league
and endorse the declaration of princi
pies Of such league. The object Of
the league is the promotion of popu-
lar government and progressive legis.
lation. Proper government in Ameri
ca has been thwarted and progressive
legislation strangled by the special
interests which control caucuses, dele
gates, conventions and party organ
izations and through this control Of
the machinery of government, dictate
nominations and platforms, elect ad-
ministrations, legislatures, representa-.
tives in congress, United States SEN
ators, and control cabinet officers.
Under existing conditions legisla.
ton in the public interest has been
baffled and defeated
"This is evidenced by the long
struggle to secure laws, but partially
effective, for the control of railway
rates and services, the revision of the
! tariff in the interest of the producer
and the consumer, statutes dealing
| with trusts and combinations based
IN sound economic principles as pa
[ piled to modern industrial and COM
mercial conditions, wise, compre-
hensive and impartial reconstruction
of banking and monetary laws, non
subsidized merchant marine, the con-
servation of coal, oil, gas, timber, wa
ter powers, and other natural re-
sources belonging to the people, and
for the enactment of all legislation
solely for the common good.
"Just in proportion as popular gov
eminent has in certain states super.
seeded the delegate convention system.
and the people have assumed control
of the machinery of government, has
government become responsive to the
popular will, and progressive legisla
ton been secured.
1.-THE Progressive Republican
League believes that popular govern
ment is fundamental to all other ques
tons. To this end it advocates: First
the election of United States senators
by direct vote Of the people. Second
direct primaries for the nomination Of
all elective officials. Third, the direct
election of delegates to the nationa
convention with opportunity for the
voter to express his choice for presi
dent and vice president. Fourth
amendments to state constitutions
providing for the initiative and re
call. Fifth, thorough-going corrup
practices act.