Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-23
WATKINS HEADS
MICHIGAN TICKET
OSBORN MEN OPEN FIGHT WHEN
SENATOR is NOM MATED
FOR GOVERNOR
ACCEPT T. RS WISH
Convention Names State OFFICERS
After Dixon Brings Word;
Leave Republican
Party.
ACCEPT T. RS WISH

progressive republicans divorced them
selves absolutely from the republican
party in their state convention here.
BY an almost unanimous vote the
delegates went on record as favoring
the placing of an entire ticket, both
state and national, in the field. A few
instructed delegates voted against the
move in order to record the sentiment
Of their home counties, but explained
to the convention that they personally
were for separation from the old
party.
Watkins the Nominee.
Members of the state central COM
mittee recommended the following
men for state offices:
For governor. Whitney Watkins
OF jackson. state senator.
For United States senator-Theo-
dore NJ Joslin of Adrian.
Friends of Governor Osborn pro-
tested vigorously but futilely against
the Endorsement by the convention OF
a candidate for governor. They IL
sisted the people should not be offered
any suggestions regarding candidates.
When the convention Endorsed Sena-
tor Watkins, circulation OF Osborn pc
titions was begun Immediately.
Nathan p. Hull of Diamondale was
recommended by the convention for
congressman at large, but he declined
to make the race.
Delegates to the national progress
sive party convention in Chicago,
presidential electors, members of the
state central committee and a member
of the national committee were chosen.
BY the provisions OF the Michigan
primary law any man can file petit
ton for any nomination Of the progress
siye ticket Il he has a sufficient num-
her Of names.
Only six days remain in which the
petitions may be filed with the secre-
tary Of state. Many petitions were put
In circulation at the close Of the day
session Of the convention
The coming of Senator Joseph M.
Dixon to the convention probably had
as much to do with carrying the full
ticket plan as anything. He addressed
the convention, and declared it was
Roosevelts wish that full ticket be
named.
The Platform Adopted.
The first state convention of the ma
tional progressive party here as
senbled puts forth the following dec
larations:
1--WE denounce in unequivocal terms
the crime against popular government
perpetrated at Chicago in the national
republican convention. We repudiate
the action of that convention made up
in part of fraudulently seated dele
gates and declare that the fraud there
perpetrated strikes blow at the very
foundations of the republic, which can
only survive through free and untram.
melted popular government. We de-
clare the action thus consummated
cannot be and is not binding upon any
citizen.
"The situation thus produced makes
1t imperative that proper steps be TAX
en- to give to the people the opportu-
nifty to express their will in the selec-
ton of president out Of which they
were cheated by the successful fraud
practiced by a repudiated national
committee at Chicago at the behest
Of the special interests.
"The constant effort Of crooked bus
mess in unholy alliance with crooked
bosses, to usurp the powers Of the gov
eminent, through control of party ma.
chinery, constitutes the greatest men
nee to real popular rule. Therefore.
this body of independent citizens here
and now dedicate their efforts to the
maintaining and perpetuation Of those