Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1912-08-08
BULtNOOSE LEADER
Makes CONFESS
SION OF FAITH

Chicago, August 6.-Theodore Roose-
velt's speech before the progressive
covention strikes a keynote for his
followers and supporters in the new
party. 1t lays down the plan of bat
tie to be waged by the national pro-
gressive party. He discusses these
principles under twelve subdivisions.
namely, 1.-THE helplessness of the old
parties;" "The rights of the people
to rule" "The courts and the people; =
Constructive control of the trusts; +"
Rights of the wage worker" "'The
farmer;'' "The TARIFF "The high
cost of living" Currency" econ
servation;' f" Alaska and international
affairs" "The two old parties,' he
said, care husks, with no real soul
within either, divided on artificial
lines, boss-ridden and privilege-con-
trOlled, each tumble of incongruous
elements, and neither daring to speak
out wisely and fearlessly what should
be said on the vital issues of the day. -
AS opposed to this incongruity and in
sincerity of action he asserted that
the National progressive platform will
be "a contract with the people," with
definite and concrete provisions to be
carried out if the people ratify the con-
tract on election day as exactly and
honestly "as if it were actually en-
forceable under the law.n
No Help From the Old Party Machines
Neither the republican nor the dem
ocratic platforms or managers show
any adequate recognition Of the mighty
fact "that we are now in the midst of
a great economic evolution" This ir-
resistible movement for economic
change and improvement must be guild
ed by "both common sense and the
highest ethical Standards in order
to prevent reasonable evolution from
becoming dangerous revolution. The
democratic party, as is indicated by
its present record in congress, lacks
the common sense, and the republican
party, by its record of stolen delegates
at the Chicago convention, lacks the
ethical standards. "The men who pre-
scided over the Chicago and Baltimore
conventions, and the great bosses who
controlled the two conventions-Mr
Root and Mr.. Parker, Mr.. Barnes and
Mr.. Murphy, Mr.. Penrose and Mr.. Tag
CART, Mr.. Guggenheim and Mr.. Sullivan
differ from one another, of course,
ON certain points, but these are the diff
ferences which one corporation lawyer
has with another corporation lawyer
when acting for different corporations.
They come together at once as against
common enemy when the dominion
of both is threatened by the sIprem
acy of the people of the United States
If this country is really to
go forward along path of social and
economic justice, there must be a new
party of nationwide and nonsectional
principles, party where the titular
national chiefs and the real state lead
ers shall be in genuine accord, party
in whose counsels the people shall be-
supreme, party that shall represent
in the nation and several states alike
the same cause, the cause of human
rights and of governmental efficiency.
The reassertion of the states rights
doctrine of the democratic party Grip.
Piles and forcloses any real or genuine
relief to the people. 1t reduces their
promises to hopeless and empty phrases
and the mission and spirit Of the pro-
gressiye movement win thr., the repub.
lie from end to end.
The Right Of the People to Rule.
"The action of the Chicago conven.
ton, and to an only less degree of the
Baltimore convention, have shown in
striking fashion how little the people
senators, the short ballot, an efficient
do rule under our present. conditions. -
In order to assure this popular rule Mr..
Roosevelt urged the adoption of pres
idential primaries, popular election of
corrupt practices act, qualified use of
the initiative, referendum and recall.
The recall should be applied to admin
istrative officers. Mr.. Roosevelt as
serts that the adoption of these new
methods of political administrative is
not antagonistic to representative gov
eminent. "An 1 desire to do by Sc
curing more direct control of the gov
ernmental agents and representatives
OF the people is to give the people the
chance to make their representatives
really. represent them whenever the