The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-19

whom it belongs, of the burden of se- lection of a Presidential candidate lie and in defiance of their wishes, through manipulation of southern delegates composed of federal office holders and political machines in northern states, al e endeavoring to nominate the present President as the candidate.
 Tn California; and I speak of course only for the group of progressives with whom I am familiar) we gave evidence of our faith in December, last, by announcing a Presidential pre- ganization was in our hands, the power was ours under the law to send a delegation to Chicago of our own choosing but, following that definite policy from which there has been no departure since the old, machine was overthrown, we have put up to our state the question of it's preference for candidates and yielded the advantage and power which came to us legiti- mately.
 "Our people, therefore, all will de- eide at the polls by direct primary how California's vote shall be cast in the national conventions. And it is just this sort of thing, the yielding of power and advantage to the determi- nation of the people because of their right to decide, that marks the diff ference between the progressives and the reactionaries.
 .'The admiration of California pro- gressives for Senator LaF'ollette is un- diminished and they recognize his splendid services and great sacrifices for the cause Tn California, how ever. with the cause ever the deter mining factor. it is obvious that pro- gressive policies can best be accom- plished at present through the lead- ership of Theodore Roosevelt. MT. Roosevelt is recognized throughout the west as the greatest teacher the coun- try ever had
 t,o1;o,-o ed the public conscience and, by his courage and hrmness for the right, made possible our victory and the redemption of our state government from the southern Pacific machine To him the west has ever looked as the guide in righteousness, in govern ment as-the exponent of equal op-| portunity for all and as the cham pion of popular rule. Today. there is not a hamlet or a city in this coun- try where, upon a ballot. legitimate ly taken. the people would not by five to one prefer him to his principal op- ponent. What a travesty upon a boasted government of the people that, with this overwhelming sentiment there should be for one instant doubt of the result!
 ed over to his successor a Republican party at high tide of success and en- trenched in the confidenc of all. To- day with the record of the past three years, the Republican party is at it's ebb, with confidence in it sadly shak- en. With but rare exceptions, it is only where progressivism has been victorious that state governments are yet Republican and to continue with the leader whose three years have wrought such disaster can mean only political suicide.
 Clear cut therefore, is the situa- tion: shall the people rule and shall Roosevelt. their choice, be nominated, or shall Republicans court defeat by the nomination of a candidate who has wrought such disaster. With our confidence and trust in those who compose this government and our be- lief in the principles upon which it was founded, we are in this national struggle for MT. Roosevelt and the progressive policies he represents