The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-09-12
PROGRESSIVE PARTY OF THIS
SECTION.


The following letter is being wide
ly circulated over the State by the
local Progressive organization.
j. Williamson. w. Va. Sept. 9Th, 1912.
Dear Sir
1 Where are we att and What
shall we do to be saved?"
The first idea that became preva-
llent among the leading Progressives
Iof, West Virginia, it seems, was that
the way to get the most votes for
Roosevelt was to court the popular
lily and avoid the opposition of all
the state, district and county candi-
dates nominated at the primaries by
endorsing them, and we have no
doubt but Roosevelt would get GER
tain votes on that plan that he would
not otherwise get, but we could have
no hope Of carrying the state for
him and would stand very slim
chance to get second place, as we
can have no representation on the
registration boards nor in the yot-
ing places. The old party machines
would have the voting done princi-
pally by the election clerks fixing
the ballots for certain States as
they always do,
That view of the situation seems
to us to be rather superficial for the
reason that it is plain on the face
iof things that IL we can carry this
state for Roosevelt at all 1t will have
to be done by a rushing campaign, a
sort OF stampede at the closing
weeks of the campaign. This can
only be "ccomlished by thorough
preparation. This preparation must
consist of thorough organization Of
the Progressives and by concentrat-
ing and crystalizing their sentiment
on a set of candidates not only for
presidential electors, but for all
state. district and county offices. By
this means we enlist the enthusiastic
pull and assistance of great army
of influential men all over the state
/ instead of having to vote for set OF
| candidates who are either antago-
nistic to our cause or at best indif-
| ferent and inactive. As the situa-
| ton now exists there is no enthnsi-
asm in anything connected with the
movement The candidates are
afraid to speak and the Progress.yes
are disgusted and are dividing be-
tween the Democratic and Republi-
can tickets. II the situation Is not
changed Immediately the state is so
easy for the Democrats that ahey
don't need to make campaign.
If we nominate ticket we put to
work about $50 candidates for
county offices in the state. % can
dida.es for the various iudgesaips.
Is candidates for state senate;, s
oand dates for con sress and Ii can
didates for state offices.
This means the enthusiastic sup.
port of over 400 leading citizens.
whose hands are now tied, whose
mouths are closed and whose follow
ers, friends and supporters know not
what to do.
This does not include the candi
dates for magisterial district offices.
which would naturally folloow the
enthusiasm engendered by the state,
district and county conventions and
nominations. This army of magis-
terial district candidates would
number approximately 1000 local
leaders in the whole state and their
influence would reach to every out
of-the-way nook and corner of every
county and bring out the full Pro-
gressive strength of the plain peo-
pie where most of such strength OF
sentiment exists in this state, and
would furnish the only possible
means Of getting rush toward the
Progressive ticket and its candi-
dates.
Not only is this necessary for this
campaign, but 1t Is a necessity for
the future II we in West Virginia
are to be part OF the great Ma
tional Progressive movement, which
is destined to control this country
in the immediate future. a
We are willing to endorse and
support any candidate who has been
nominated on any other ticket, pro-
vided he is actively supporting the
Progressive ticket. Il
The separate column on the bal
lot for Progressive electors furnishes
our opportunity. Let US hasten to
embrace 1t and carry the state for
Roosevelt and Johnson.
i H. r. JUiTHLING. Chairman.
County Committee and Member
State Committee for Mingo Co.
EVERETT LEFTW1CH, Sec.
County Committee and Progress