The Washington times., 1912-06-23

many other leading progressives were
among those In the conference
Colonel Roosevelt, with Miss Roose-
welt and Congressman and Mrs Long
worth, occupied box and was en-
thusia stically cheered. When the gath
erinE designated him as It's choice for
idential race. he accepted. expla lining
that he would regard this as an inform
atty, to be followed later by a national
convention, duly called. OF delegates
state by State, to organize the new
party
This convention will be held as has
been heretofore forctse. about Au-
gust l.; possibly two or three weeks
later. 1t will complete the organiza-
ton OF the new party and proceed at
once to press for the recognition OF
the State authorities who must deter
mine what names and tickets may go
on the official ballots. The new party's
name will be adopted at that time; but
the present purpose is to cali II the
Progressive party. Some have desired
TO name II the Progressive Republican,
but the wish to get away entirely from
especially the old nrejudces OF the
South. is likely to determine in favor
OF the simple name Progressive.
Hard Work Is Necessary.
The effort to organize a new party is
vastly more difficult than II was at any
former epoch in the country's history
when such a project was undertaken
simply because OF the greater complex
ity OF voting and ballot laws OF the
states. Requirements are imposed, for
getting a new party recognized and its
ticket on the ballot, which vary great
~ in different States. In many, peti-
tions Will have to be filed.
These difficulties have been already
investigated by some good lawyers, and
II has been reported that they are not
such as may not be overcome in time
to make the Progressive party a large
gle In the States which are already
Progressive and Republican-States
like Minnesota, New Jersey. Maine,
West wi wirsi2tS; Ohio Illinois WiscSn-
kotas. California, Washington, etc
the present party organizations may be
taken over easily enough. In some the
candidates for electors have already
on to pledge themselves to Roosevelt
and the new party. II they do so, we'll
and good. II not opposing tickets or
parts of tickets will be placed in the
field against them.
Await Popular Approval.
Much is felt to depend on the recep-
ton which the country at large gives
to the announcement of the new move
ment. 1t was with the purpose of elic-
iting such an expression, based on SEN
timent at the time when the people are
most concerned about the recent out
RACES of the Republican committee and
convention, that the conference was
called at this time. 1t represented
rather the announcement OF a purpose,
not the determination of a program in
detail.
In taking this step Colonel Roosevelt
Is moved by the most unselfish consid-
erations. He realizes that in all prob
ability he has entered on a contest that
will occupy his energies the rest Of his
public life.
No matter. He feels that the great
progressive movement in this country
has drafted him and he must obey. II
present. party conditions should con-
of Boss Barnes controlling the Republi-
can and Boss Murphy dominating the
Democratic party, and both PAL ties be-
ing kept essentially reactionary In
character and real purpose. Lin service
might be given in platform utterances
on progressive issues; but II would be
of small Importance. Even today the
reports come from Baltimore that the
bosses are trying to turn that conven-
ton into the same sort of reactionary
AFFAIR as the Republican convention has
been.
Reasons For New Party.
Roosevelt sees in these doings the
evidence of a bipartisan, or a non-par-
tisan, or a super-partisan purpose of
running the country indefinitely in the
behalf of selfish private and political
concerns. He believes that new align
ment of men and thought is necessary
that will at least get progressives on
one side and reactionaries on the other,
and that seems to be impossible with
out a new party.
Election In November is by no means
| Impossible for Colonel Roosevelt. If he
| carries the States in the election that he
seized in the recent primaries he will be
we'll started toward election. They are
all Republican States, and Roosevelt 5
immense popularity In them is attested
! bv the votes thev gave him.
The remarkable initial showing of
ST. ength in favor of the new party Is
| best presented bv a consideration Of
the facts about the Electoral College
| and the recent primaries. lhe"C will
be $50 votes in the Electoral College:
necessary 20 elsct 4 President. 81