The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1912-08-08
KEYNOTE SPEECH
Of Third PARTY
Roosevelt Sets Forth Principles
Of National PrOgressIveS
'OLD PARTIES MERELY HUSKS"

Stands For Regulation Of Courts and
Tackles tho Tariff, High Cost Of Liv-
Ing, Currency and Conservation.
! Mr.. Roosevelt's speech strikes q key
note for his followers and supporters
IN the new party. 1t lays down the plan
OF battle to be waged by the National
Progressive party. He discusses those
principles under twelve subdivisions
namely, the helplessness Of the old par
ties, the right of the people to rule, the
courts and the people, constructive con-
troll Of the trusts, rights Of the wage
worker, the farmer, the tariff, the high
cost OF living, currency, conservation,
Alaska and international affairs. 1.-THE
two old parties" he said, "are husks,
with no real soul within either, divided
On artificial lines, boss ridden and priv
uege controlled, each tumble of in
copgruous elements and neither daring
to speak out wisely and fearlessly what
should be said on the vital issues of
the day" AS opposed to this incon-
gruity and insincerity Of action he as
serted that the National Progressive
platform will be "a contract with the
people," with definite and concrete pro-
vision to be carried out if the people
ratify the contract on election day as
exactly and honestly las If it were ac-
tually enforceable under the law"
No Heip From tho Old Party Machines
Neither the Republican nor the Dem
ocratic platforms or managers show
any adequate recognition of the mighty
fact that we are now In the midst Of
great economic evolution" This
Irresistible movement for economic
change and improvement must be guild
ed "by common sense and the highest
ethical standards in order to prevent
reasonable evolution from becoming
dangerous revolution. The Democratic
party, as is indicated by it's present rec
ord In congress, lacks the common
sense and the Republican party, by It's
record Of stolen delegates at the Chi
cago convention. lacks the ethical
standards.
1.-THE men who presided over the Chi
cago and Baltimore conventions and
the great bosses who controlled the
Parker. Mr.. Barnes and Mr.. Murphy.
Mr.. Penrose and MIR. Taggart, Mr..
Guggenheim and Mr.. Sulllvan-differ
from one another, Of course, on GER
tain points, but these are the differ
ences which one corporation lawyer
has with another corporation lawyer
when acting for different corporations.
They come together at once as against
common enemy when the dominion
of both is threatened by the supremacy
of the people Of the United States.
If this country. is really to go
forward along q path Of social and eco
nomic justice there must be new
party Of nation wide and nonsectional
principles, party where the titular
national chiefs and the real state lead
ers shall be in genuine accord, a party
In whose councils the people shall be
supreme, party that shall represent
In the nation and the several states
alike the same cause, the cause Of hui
man rights and of governmental eff
cheney" The reassertion Of the states
rights doctrine Of the Democratic party
cripples and forecloses any real or gen
uine relief to the people. 1t reduces
their promises to hopeless and empty
phrases. The mission and spirit Of this
progressive movement will thrill the
republic from end to end.
Tho Right Of tho People to Rule
'"The actions Of the Chicago conven-
ton and to an only less degree Of the
Baltimore convention have shown in
striking fashion how little the people
do rule under our present conditions"
In order to assure this popular rule Mr.
Roosevelt urged the adoption Of presi-
dental primaries, popular election Of
senator's, the short ballot, efficient COZ
rupt practices act, qualified use Of the
initiative and referendum and recall
The recall should be applied to admin
istratiye officers.
Mr.. Roosevelt asserts that the adop-
tion Of these new methods Of political
administration Is not antagonistic to
representative government. call I de-
sire to do by securing more direct con-
troll Of the governmental agents and
representatives Of the people is to give
the people the chance to make their
representatives really represent them
whenever the government becomes
misrepresentation instead Of represent
alive. / have not come to this way Of
thinking from closest study or as
mere matter Of theory. l have been
forced to 1t by long experience with
the actual conditions Of our political
life"
Tho Courts and tho People.
Under this head Mr.. Roosevelt
strongly emphasizes the necessity Of
the sovereign people preserving a check
on every branch Of public service. IN
der this head Mr.. Roosevelt reiterates
his now we'll known uioma rnnnrdi,, q.