New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-23
RoosEvELTIsM UP TO DATE.

The platform Of the Third Ierh
party in Michigan is significant, for 1t
was adopted under the supervision OF
Senator Dixon, Mr., Roosevelts per-
sonal representative undoubtedly sets
forth the principles which Mr.. Roose-
welt is Just now prepared TO advocate
and as the first National Progressive
platform win serve as q model for
other state conventions,
After Mr.. Roosevelt made his %
lumbus speech criticism Of his views
was met by the statement that he dealt
only with the state government and
had no thought Of applying 10 the fed
eral government measures which would
entirely change It's character. But now
in Michigan that restraint IS laid aside
and the campaign for third term IS
frankly based on an appeal to those
who would throw our historic ConSti-
tuition, with its checks and balances,
into the scrap heap.
The platform declares for the initia-
tive, referendum and recall, including
the recall Of judges, and direct nomi-
nations, mot only as applied TO state
"but also in the extension Of those
principles 10 the nation" That means
that the Chief Justice Of the United
States shall be subjected to recall; that
the President Of the United States may
at any time be drawn from his duties
to defend himself in some sort Of pOpu-
lar election brought about by dis
gruntled faction The Chief Justice Is
not now elected by the people, but If he
is to be recalled by them Of course he
will be, and the platform IN section
dealing with state affairs opposes APP
pointive officials and declares for more
general election of them, showing that
il has no sympathy with the short
been thought Progressive. The plat
form favOrs government ownership Of
express and telegraph lines, the physi-
cal valuation Of railroads as basis of
fixing rates, government regulation Of
corporations doing an interstate bust
ness and a variety Of propositions along
that line. But its really important
feature is this declaration in favor of a
consolidated democracy in place Of the
federal republic, for that IS what the
initiative, referendum and recall as
applied 10 the general government
mean Its logic IS the popular election
III -
Judges, regardless of state lines, and
legislators not really responsible TO
their constituents in the several states,
but to the initiative and referendum Of
q consolidated electorate. This may or
may not be what the American people
have come TO want They should at
least understand that 1t is what the
Third Term party leads to--if it can be
surely said to lead TO anything.
There's the rub. Perhaps we should
rot take these principles too seriously,
The Michigan platform, 1t IS true, says:
I'VE favor principles rather than men,"
but then it shows its fundamental prin-
ciple as follows: eve repudlate as
unworthy Of the confidence Of the
people Of the State Of Michigan any
candidate now holding Office who does
mot favor the Progressive measures
advocated by Theodore Roosevelt"
Perhaps we should consider all the rest
Of the platform as mere fubdub. The
measures advocated by Mr. Roosevelt
at any particular moment are Progress
siye, and all who oppose them are I'M
worthy of confidence That is a simple
creed. And 1t Is said 10 have been APP
proved beforehand at Oyster Bay,