The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1912-08-06
Says Government Should Install,
Operate and Own Railroads and
Keep Fee of All Coal Lands.
BEVERIDGE MADE CHAIRMAN
No Opposition to Election of Former
Indiana Senator; Negro Delegates
Barred From Contested Seats.

Chicago, August 6, 1912.-Arguing
for the right Of the people to rule,
standing for the regulation Of the
courts and constructive control of
trusts, and advocating the using of
Alaska as a practical experiment in
government ownership of railroads,
coal lands, ETC., Theodore Roosevelt
delivered a keynote address at the
Progressive Republican convention
here this afternoon.
The convention was opened Mon
day at 12:43 p. m. by Senator Dixon
who read the call. Former Senator
Albert J. Beveridge, of Indiana, was
quickly named as temporary chair
man and the convention at once pro-
ceeded to real business.
COntesting negro delegates from
Mississippi and Florida were barred
from the convention by the national
committee. 1t was first decided to al
low the negro delegates to sit as
'supplementaries" but with no vote.
They protested loudly at this and fin
ally the committee decided to throw
out both negro and white delegations.
Judge ii ton D. PurfyJ}yy Us Chosen
chairman Of the Minnesota delegation
when the delegates went to Chicag
Sunday night. Judge Purdy acted in
a similar capacity in the regular
Republican convention in June
Hugh T. Halbert was selected for the
resolutions committee, c. W. Gilmore
OF Pipestone, for the credentials, and
Jake jacobson of Madison, for the
rules
Colonel Roosevelts speech was to
have been delivered Monday night
but Chairman Beveridge had pre-
pared a lengthy speech and the
Roosevelt confession of faith" was
postponed until this afternoon. In
order that his voice might be heard
in all corners of the great hall, huge
sounding boarding was built back of
the speakers bridge. The platform
will be based on this address.
Mr.. Rcosev et's speech strikes Il key
note for his followers AMI supporters
in the new party. 1t lays down the plan
Of battle to be waged by the National
Progressive party. He discusses those
principles under twelve subdivisions
ba hn1r ,ln Of no nj
ties, the right Of the people to rule, the
courts and the people, constructive con-
troll of the trusts, rights of the wage
worker, the farmer, the tariff, the high
cost Of living, currency, conservation,
Alaska and international affairs 1.-The
two old parties" he said, ARE husks,
with no real soul within either. divided
on artificial lines, boss ridden and priv
ilege controlled, each tumble of in
congruOus elements and neither DARN g
to speak out wisely and fearleSsly what
should be said on the vital issues of
the day" AS opposed to this 1ncOn-
gruity and insincerity of action he as
serted that the National Progressive
platform will be "a contract with the
people," with definite and concrete pro-
vision to be carried out if the people
ratify the contract on election day as
exactly and honestly las if it We're &C
tually enforceable under the law
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
great economic evolution" This
irresistible movement for economic
change and improvement must be guild
ed 'by common sense and the highest
ethical standards in order to prevent
reasonable evolution from becoming
dangerous revolution. The Democratic
party, as is indicated by it's present rec
ord in congress, lacks the common
sense and the Republican party, by its
record Of stolen delegates at the Chi
cago convention. lacks the ethical
standards.
1.-THE men who presided over the Chi
cago 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.. Taggart, Mr.:
Guggenheim and Mr.. Sullivan-diffe1
from one another, Of course, on GER
tain points, but these are the differ,
ences which one corporation lawyer
has with another corporation lawyer
when acting for different corporations
They come together at once as against
q common enemy when the dominion
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