Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1912-07-31
BULL MOOSE CONVENTION.
Third Party Advocates Meet at Des
MOines i'm First State Con-
ventiOn.

third party movement, which had
been chosen at mass conventions
throughout the state met at Des
Moines last Wednesday and held a
state convention to elect delegates
to the first national convention of the
though the announcement had been
definitely made by the organizers and
leaders of this third party movement
that it is distinct, separate party,
not affiliated with or connected with
or part of the republican party in
any way, an absolute breaking away
from the republican party, in fact,
and the formation of an entire new
party; yet, in spite of this, men hold
ing positions of power and honor and
influence in the republican party
were delegates and participants in
that convention, evidently desirous
of keeping in the limelight by hold
ing onto their positions within the re-
publican party and still denouncing
it and taking part in the organization
formed to defeat and break down the
republican party.
The convention at Des Moines was
an enthusiastic one, and while many
of the delegates wanted to place in
nomination an entire new state tic
ket, nothing was done about it, and
the new party will have no state tic
ket in Iowa. Four delegates at large
and twenty-five district delegates
were elected to the first national con-
vention at Chicago, the delegate rep
resenting this district being j. HI.
McGee of Mason City and w. B. Gle
ments, West Union. The district al
ternates are C. F. Gardner of Usage,
and DR.. A. j. Swezey of Decorah.
The platform is a striking one,
containing one or two declarations
distinct from those of the other par
ties. After statement of the reas-
ons advanced for the formation of
the party, etc., the platform is as
follows:
I'VE recommend to our delegation
TO the progressive national conyen-
tion that in affirming the national
| platform the following propositions
be supportedt ~ lf19 q
The general application uof the
principle of nomination by the ,prim-
any election method
/ The selection of United States SEN
ators by direct vote.
The principle of the initiative and
referendum
A physical valuation of railroads
by government commission, for
purposes of general information of
| all assessing and rate making bod
les.
Preservation to the interstate COM
merce commission of it's rightful au-
thority in the regulation of transport
tation.
The protective tariff suited to the
fostering of labor employed in domes-
tic manufactures, agriculture, mining
and other industries.
Repeal of the statute under which
Canada now has the option of accep-
tance of an unfair trade proposal.
The election of postmasters by the
constituency served the postmasters
to be subject to removal by the post
Office department.
Application of the principle of the
short ballot.
The aggressive policy for the con-
servation of natural resources.
The creation of a new department
to be known as the department of Ia
bor, the head to be a member of the
presidential cabinet.
An employers liability and work
mems compensation law, under which
the injuries resulting from the risks
and hazards of industry shall be
compensated without the present ex-
pensive litigation and unsatisfactory
adjustments, and whereunder the
cost can be added to the cost of pro-
duction.
The abolition of the contract sys-
tenn of employing inmates of penal
institutions and the substitution of
system under which the products Of
penal labor shall not come into open
competition in the markets with free
labor, and under which part of the
earnings of the inmates may be paid
to dependents.
National legislation under which
state may prevent the importation OF
penal made goods from another state.
and by which each state may protect
itself against the abuses of penal la
Dor of other states.
! A hearty indorseme of the world
wide movement for the enfranchise-
ment of women
Finally, we declare our belief that
the choice of the people for presi-
dent is to be made between Theodore
Roosevelt and the democratic nomi-
nee, and upon this issue We invite
the profound Judgment of the coun-
try in favor of the prospective prog
ressive candidate"
A new religion has been invented
with only seven commandments, III