The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1912-09-17

1
New Party Formed.
A new political party-the Roosevelt
Progressiyes, was born In Mount Holly OIL
Saturday afternoon as the result of con
Yenti0n held In the court house by thosl
who believe 1t wise to become mugwumI
at this particular time. There was no
a large attendance. Fun, turmoil ant
pathos were marked features of the
session.
| The meeting was called to order at two
O'Clock by Charles P Farmer, mayor fo
Burlington, and were his hearing not de
fective he would have been chosen the
presiding officer That honor, however
fell to Joseph Beck Tyler, of Riverton,
who appointed the following committee
on organization: Edward D. Stoughten,
Carlton E Sholl, John C. Smith, George
Wildes and Harry G. Davis.
Frank Jess. of Camden, a member of
the state board of taxation, was introduc.
ed and he put ginger into the proceedings
right at the start. He said In part: 81
feel glad of the semi religious feeling that
prevails at this meeting because 1t was
opened with prayer by A. w. Bostwick,
of Vincentown: 1t was rare privilege
to me to have been able to attend the
National Progressive convention held at
Chicago | am glad to bring you greet
ings from the Progressives of Camden
county, and want to say that Believe we
are going to win this first fight. The
Progressive party is not a mere theory
but an actual realization. We are ready
to face defeat this time, If necessary, be-
cause we feel that the people are bound to
win IN the end.
Il am most sincere admirer of Col.
Roosevelt, but If 1t was only question of
making him president, | would not be In
this party to-day. 1t is a fight to restore
real representative government to the
people, fight to give every man and
woman fair chance before the law. Don't
forget that the important thing In this
contest Is the platform upon which we
stand. We can only win by convincing
the people that we are right, as our plat
form tends to the uplift of the American
people. 1t is one of the greatest docu-
ments this country has ever seen. 1t Is
not only definite programme, but con.
venant between the people This move
ment Is nationwide, and on the principles
which we advocate we are going to win,
II not In this campaign the next"
In order to carry on business the men,
Dership OF the convention was then deter.
mined, and on motion of Rev. Mr.. Bost-
wick the townships were called, and in
reply the delegates present stepped for
ward and signed the roll, as did other
persons who were In the audience One
OF these was Rev. Joseph Miller, of Bur-
lington township, who has always cast a
Republican ballot since he voted for
Fremont In 1855.
There was call for Judge William ].
Terrill, Of Burlington township, and the
venerable jurist spoke few words. He
felt honored that he had attended a
number of national conventions He said
he was vice president of the first conven-
tion held In Southern Illinois In 1858.
II feel the infrmities of age creeping
over me, " he said, land cannot become
active again. This contest has got to be
a school house and church fight
9. Gauntt Holmes, of Burlington, then
offered resolution which was adopted
endorsing Francis B. Potter, of Bridgeton,
as the party's candidate for Congress in
this county. Mr.. Potter made a short
address In which he said:
II have been ready to leave the Repub-
lican party years ago and welcome this
movement. If elected l will support any
measure In Congress looking to the up
lifting OF mankind. We have seen great
deal during the past few months and
have learned that this country must be
run for the people and not for chosen
few. The Democratic party has not been
made progressive by the nomination of
Wilson. We believe In removing the
tariff from politics, 1t is business prop
osition and should not be subject to party
whims. We believe that If we can pay
women wages on which they can live
2 hnr md -
leading an immoral life. We believe in
regulating the hours of labor and the
responsibility of employers; that people
who elect Legislators should have some
say in that Legislature; that women
should have voice In the nations affairs.
We know that the gods of our fathers are
with us In the fight. We bravely turn
our faces toward the foe and go forth to
the battle for the rights of the people"
A resolution that was adopted gave the
president the power to appoint county
committee.
The excitement of the convention then
came by the Introduction of a resolution
affecting the political standing of James
Mercer Davis, of Mount Holly He had
already filed a petition as candidate for
State Senator ON the National Progressive
ticket and wanted the Bull Moose party
to endorse him, too. The resolution was
couched in very strong language and
accused him of political theft The reso-
luton repudiated and denounced him as a
common political trickster, stating that 1t
was fraudulent effort to steal the nomi-
nation and deceive the party, and re-
quested that every Progressive In the
county be made acquainted with the fact.
The reading of this resolution created
disorder and turmoil, and many persons
were on their feet shouting for recogni-
ton With the tide going against him 1t
began to look as If Mr.. Davis was going
to be read out of the new party without
being given chance to be heard But
he had one strong and earnest supporter
In the person of Rev. Mr.. Bostwick, who
fought that bis friend should have the
floor, and he finally got 1t through help
from Messrs. Potter, Jess and others, and
was allowed to speak for five minutes.
Mr.. Bostwick said the resolution and
history of the matter should be made
known. "Mr. Davis Is as strong Pro-
gressive as any one present" the speaker
said. II am not fighting for the man but
for principle. Davis filed his certificate
long before he knew there would be sepa-
rate parties with the approval of former
Governor Fort and others. He was as.
sured by Mayor Farmer that he would be
perfectly In his rights to file such a cert
| ficate at that time, and with their counsel
he became Senatorial candidate. There
was no Interior motives in this matter
Davis put principle above himself and ht
will work heart and soul for the Progress
sive party, and the resolution ought to bt
put to shame"
Offering an amendment to the resolu
ton, Mr.. Bostwick moved that the con
vention endorse Mr.. Davis and there wa
some applause in the room. The chair
however, declared the motion out of order
Charles P. Farmer said that when tn,
matter was considered 1t was decided no
to endorse any one who ran on the Repub
lican ticket. A man can't run on Repub
lican ticket by the pledges he has mad,
and be Progressive.
John W. Coleman, of Palmyra, said
is coming to pass that II dollar Is comm,
our way we want to know If 1t is tainted
money" He made the application b.
stating that 1--WE want no candidate who
tainted with Republicanism."
Chairman Tyler said Mr.. Davis ha
placed his name on a ticket which Pre-
gressives could not use and he was no
the kind of man the new party was look
ing for. He urged all present to adop
; the resolution.
Joseph r. Gillian referred to the meet
Ing held on Friday night, and said it wa
! the sense Of that gathering that MI
, Davis be endorsed. He did not knol
that Davis was a wolf In sleeps clothing
} and doubted that he had any intention {
stealing this nomination.
Mr.. Davis got the floor at last and b
3 made very concise statement of the fact
} leading up to the moment of discussion
D but 1t was no use and the resolution {
censure was adopted.