The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1911-01-27
POPULAR LAWS ARE
DEMANDED
ocRESSIV REPUBLICAN
LEAGUE ORGANIZED AT
WASHINGTON, D. c.
cs,ators. congressman, Governors and
other Prominent Men Take Part in
oroanization Which Will Fight for
The establishment of Popular Gov
eminent.

Washington, JAM REORGANIZATION
Of the Republican Progressive League
nv progressive" Republican senators,
CONSERVATIVES, governors and others
an organization which will seek ito
foht for the establishment of popular
government twas announced here
Yesterday.
plans for the new league, which
have been under way since the as
sembling of congress, were concluded
at Meeting here Saturday night,
when a declaration of principles was
signed a constitution adopted and the
following officers elected:
The Officers.
President - Senator Jonathan
Bourne, jr., Oregon.
First vice president-Representative
George w. Norris, Nebraska.
Second vice president-GOv. Charles
S. Osborn, Michigan.
reasurer-Charles r. Crane, Chi
cago
Executive Committee = Senator
Moses E. Clapp, Minnesota; Senator
Joseph L. Bristow, Kansas; Represen-
tative e. H. Hubbard, Iowa; Represen-
tative Irvine l.. Lenroot, Wisconsin;
Representative-elect William Kent,
California; Clifford Pinchot, Pennsyl-
vania; George l.. Record, New Jersey,
and the president, vice presidents,
treasurer, members eX-OfficiO.
Principles Declared.
The declaration of principles, signed
by nine Republican United States SEN
ators, the governors of six Republican
states, thirteen members of the house
and others, follows:
I'VE, 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
progressive legislation.
Popular government in America has
been thwarted and progressive legis-
lation strangled by the special inter-
ests which control caucuses, delegates,
conventions and party organizations,
and through control of the machinery
of government, dictate nominations
and platforms, elect administrations,
legislators, representatives in congress
and United States senators, and con-
troll cabinet officers.
Legislation Baffled.
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 re-
vision OF the tariff in the interest of
the producer and consumer, statutes
dealing with trusts and combinations,
based on sound economic principles as
applied to modern industrial and COM
merclal conditions, wise, compre-
hensive and impartial reconstruction
OF the banking and monetary laws, the
conservation of coal, iron, gas, timber,
water powers and other natural re-
sources belonging to the people, and
1or the enactment of all the legisla-
lon solely for the common good.
Popular Government.
Just in proportion as popular gov
eIhmentshas in certain states super
Seded the delegate convention system
nds government become responsive to
the popular will and progressive legis-
lauon been secured.
The Progressive Republican League
oeleVes popular government funda-
mental to all other questions. To this
ehd 1t advocates:
Inc election of United States sena-
'ors by direct vote of the people.
Direct primaries for the nomina-
'ion OF all elective officials.
Inc direct election of delegates to
aa'lonal convention, with opportunity
ioi the voter to express his choice for
president and vice president.
amendment to state constitutions
pio'idlng for the initiative, referen.
uum and recall.
A thorough general corrupt practice
act.
Inc league will cooperate with pro
e,esslves in the several states and
"nefeVer acceptable will render assist
auee IN promoting the organization OF
state leagues.
Will Aid Others.
Whenever requested by any pro
1as state league or by progressive
tauers IN state legislatures, the Ma
, r.onai Progressive Republican League
nni n aid IN the propositions of appro
e t bills and resolutions and will
.uinlsh speakers and literature in sup
port of legislative action upon the
roposltlons enumerated in the five
numbered fa paragraphs set forth in the
O.egolng declaration of principles.
(SigneO:-
Pm, united States Senator'S Jonathan
ia dune 1r., Oregon; Albert j. Bever
So 60 indiana; Joseph L. Bristow, Kan
as, Norris RrOwn NohroSlxo. A1r,ar