The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1912-08-09
RO0SEYELT'S Big SPEECH
STATES HIS VIEWS ON ALL I'M.
PoRTANT QUESTIONS OF DAY.
Negro Question Has Been Trouble.
some and Committee Turned
Down Negro Contestants.

session OF the national progressive
convention was called to order and
twelve minutes later Roosevelt APP
peared at the Coliseum and made his
way to the platform. A tremendous
wave Of applause GREETED him and he
waved his hand in Acknowledgement
of the greeting. The cheering con-
tinued. the Grand Army fife and drum
corps on the stage joining in the din.
The doors of the Coliseum were
thrown wide open during the Roose-
Welt demonstration and the hall was
filled TO capacity.
The Roosevelt demonstration lasted
ffty-seven minutes. before Chairman
Beveridge finally secured order.
At las Beverage introduced Roose-
welt and the colonel began his speech.
The delegates listened to his speech
with the understanding that they must
either adopt the platform substantially
In consonance with his views or look
elsewhere for a nominee for president.
Colonel Roosevelt in setting forth
his views on the negro question, spoke
In part. as follows:
I'm the republican national conven-
ton hitherto there has been n large
representation OF the colored men all
from non-republican states by virtue
OF taking the only form OF trying to
make democratic states be good Do
you see what I mean. the colored dele
gates all como from states that never
cast republican electoral vote. that
never elected n colored man to ONCE,
where. largely owing to action partic-
ipated In for forty hve years by n re-
publican party the colored man has
as a matter Of fact lost all his politi-
cal rights.
so that the old policy OF attempting
to impose on the southern states from
without certain rule of conduct to-
ward the negro. has In fact broken
down: and friends. regret to say that
every man who has ever been to a ma
tional convention knows that the
character OF the great majority of tho
colored delegates from the south from
those old rotten borough states was
such as to reflect discredit upon the
republican party and upou the race
itself.
These are the conspicuous points
In tho Roosevelt programme:
The recall of judicial decisions as
hrst advocated by Roosevelt In tho
spring campaign and for which he was
subjected to wide criticism. Roose-
welt now advocates its extension to
apply to federal courts as well as dis
trict courts.
The use of tho government to as
sist workmen to become owners Of
business in which they are employed.
He declares against blanket revis-
Ions of the tariff. saying changes
should be made schedule by schedule.
A measure to reduce tho high cost
or living among which are suggested
the elimination Of the middle-man.
Legislation to stop speculation which
initiates prices.
Tho assistance of the farmer by tho
state and national governments.
The use OF improved business meth
DDS.
The reclamation Of arid and swamp
lands.
Development by the federal govern
ment OF the Mississippi river rs
deep waterway. by the use of the plant
employed on the Panama canal upon
the completion OF the canal.
Fertilization OF the Panama canal.
Free passing through the canal 70,
coastwise trafiic and tho imposition
OF equal tolls for all other ships OF
whatever nation
Concluding. the invincible colonel
said: Il hope we shall win and I be-
lieve that II we can wake the peoplo
to what the fight really mean. wa
shall win. Our cause lis based on the
eternal principles of Righteousness.
Now to you men. who in your turn.
nave come together to spend and be
spent In the endless crusade against
wrong to you who face the future res
dilute and confident. to you who strive
IN spirit Of brotherhood for the bet |
ferment Of our nation. to you who eird
yourselves for this great new fight In
The never ending warfare for the
good Of mankind. say in closing. we
stand at Armageddon. and we battle
Tor the Lord"
After listening attentiveiy for near
y three hours to Colonel Roosevelt
he crowd broke loose In q pandemon-
um Of applause as he ended his re-
narkable contribution to the great
'peeches Of history. After the adop-
Ion OF the report Of the committee on
the convention adjourned
Il 4:ls p. m. to meet at 10 a. m. We'd
,esday.
The committee on resolutions went
INTO session late tonight to complete
Ell draft Of the platform to be adopt
d by the convention. The sub-com.
had worked all day.
Fight Over Seating Negroes.
Chicago. Aug. s.-The second day Of