The weekly Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1911-1922, 1911-10-26
PROGRESSIVE" CONFERENCE
(South Bend Tribune)

distinctly disappointing. The "plat-
FORM adopted lacks the virility
that was expected and fails t. add |
new emphasis to the so-called prin-
ciples. Instead of SIGNALLING the
cr,stalization of definite move
ment the conference must rather be
considered an effort in behalf of |
| Senator La Toilette, and. at that. an |!
effcrt of doubtful value to the Wis |
consin senator.
The resolutions are indefinite No |
definite principle is presented save
in one part cular. that of favoring
the dire 4 pr mary for the acertain-
mont of presidential preferences.
The only other point that is clear
is the Endorsement of La Toilette. !
That the 'platfcrm declares for
the senator for the presidential !
nomination. there can be no doubt !
and that the resolutions were drawn
in behalf of the senator, there can
be no doubt. Even though 1t was
apparent previous to the conference
that any resolutions adopted would
declare unequivocably for La Fol
| lette. there was no reason TO believe
that the platform would be
mere collection of generalities.
Rather did. it seem that they would
be positive because Senator La
Toilette never has any difficulty in
expressing himself in definite terms.
The fact that some of those whose
convictions and courage along in
sursent lines cannot be doubted
were not in attendance is. also sig
nificant This alone would warrant
the conclusion that the Chicago af-
fair does not mark the crystalization
of definite progressive movement
were there no other indications. The
Ialisence OF such men as Senator
ICummins and Senator Borah Is suf-
iicient evidence that the plan to
hold a conference under just the
conditions prevalent in connection
with the oe in Chicago did not meet
with the unqualified approval of all
the insurgents. The position assum-
ed. previous to the conference. by
James II. Garfield indicates that he
had his doubts in the mater and he
finally went to Chicago under pro-
test. Then. too. the letter of form
er Senator William F.. Chandler. of
New Hampshire. is another similar
indication. for the former senator
said that if he knew of progressive
republicans in his state who were
ready to declare publicly for Sena
tor La Toilette he would ask them
TO attend the Chicago conference.
Considered altogether, these things
point to but one conclusion and that
is that the Chicago conference lack.
ed the backing of all the insurgents
and that by no manner of means
can it be considered as marking the
crystalizing of definite movement.
Viewed solely as a move in behalf
Of Senator. La Toilette. the expedi-
eney of the action is doubtful While
the conference servei 10 give the
WISCONSIN senator additional pnbli-
city, even this is of unquestionable
value. considering the kind. The
resolutions certainly add nothing to
his reputation. Even those who do
not approve of La Toilette cannot
deuy that he is man of conviction
and is ever possessed of the courage
10 make definite declarations. He
is not given to generalities. vet he
is now presented to the people on a
platform" that is general save in
one particular. and which may well
he termed evasive. whether or not
ii was Intentionally so drawn. Then
there is another point which serves
to make the conference of doubtful
value even to La Toilette. Had it
heen presented as tie launching of
the La Toilette boom it at least
would have been given its proper
classification.
Much as the Republican progress
sives who sponsored the Chicago
conference may deny it and much as
they may doubt ii. President Taft
is The real gamer. That the meeting
resolved itself into an effort in be-
half of Senator La Toilette, that It
tended to make the movement
more and more one man affair and
that those concerned were after all
merely playing politics, augur well
for the president. The Chicago con
ference means that President Taft
will gain the support of more pro-
oressives who too long have been in
clined to doubt his progressiveness.
After exposure, and when you feel