Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1912-11-01

PROGRESSIVE Rally


Putnam, Thompson, and killingly
were in the hands of the Progressive
party leaders and nominees for State
offices Thursday evening. Automo-
hiles scooted here and there transfer
ring speakers from one meeting TO the
other, but as far at least as Putnam
was concerned, everything was car.
ried out on schedule time with no
waits nor bitches. Some MONDAY
meetings were also held at some of the
surrounding mill villages.
Shortly before S o'clock the Ameri-
can band played several selections in
front of the Putnam Inn while the
square was llt up with red fire. From
there they marched te the Empire the
atre where the rally was held. The
national colors and American flags
adorned the stage and balcony, and
pictures of Roosevelt and Johnson
were also in evidence. There was
large gathering present. that evineed
an interest in learning from the lead
ers the doctrine of the Progressive
party,
John q. Johnson acted as chairman
of the meeting. Seated on the stage
with the chairman and speakers were
Charles X. Shaw, Ernest b. Kent,
Philip l.. Benoit, and Rev. Mr., Elm
quist. Herbert Knox Smith, candi-
date for governor, was the first speak
er. lie said that the progressive par
" wished to take the government of
the nation into their own hands be-
cause the old line parties had failed
them. He alluded TO the national com
vention at Chicago, where he said that
Republican delegates were fraudulent
~ seated by the national committee.
He said the Republican reactionary
committee controlled the convention
and would continue TO control conven-
tons. He spoke of the Democratic
party and its policy of States rights
and narrow construction OF the consti-
tuition, which he said was cowardiy
Sinking of responsibility. The states
he said, cannot settle the big problems
such rs the child labor situation, tho
big trusts, etc. The progressive party
came like the dawn Of sunrise. Its
platform Is the American citizen, his
protection and advancement. The
Progressive party is party of power,
they can and will do things II they are
followed and supported. They can be
held responsible for the exercise Of
their power by the initiative, referen-
DUN and recall The convention at
Hartford was the first Embossed con-
vention ever held. No candidates, no
slate. Don't have to boss the people
of Connecticut. They can take care OF
themselves. He lauded the progressive
convention at Chicago. He said the
only difference between Republican
and Democrat is that one is in power
and the other out. The first thing he
the state the direct primary. He ex-
planned the direct primary andssaid
the state could be cleaned up with 1t.
He said Roosevelt was one of the is-
sues of the campaign. He lauded him
ms a. fighter and IS a man Who did
things, He touched ona woman suf-
frage and other planks in q platform
of which the party are proud.
Edward N. Rossell, a,laboring man,
candidate for secretary of state, DIR. A.
r.. Croft of New Haven, aud Frank
Butterworth, candidate for lieutenant
governor, followed In turn. They ,alI
spoke along the same lines telling of
the ineiiiciencv of the old parties and
the things contemplated by the pro-
gressive party. Control by the people,
the direct primary, initiative, referen-
dun, recall, child labor, and employ
ers liability legislation, an end of lob
bying, woman suffrage, were all
touched upon. Every allusion To
Theodore Roosevelt brought forth APP
pause. If not successful this year,
The speakers said the fight would be
Immediately taken up with hope OF
success four years hence.