The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1912-03-28
A STATE

The progressive republicans OF
South Dakota seem DESTROYS of learn
ing lust what is the attitude OF the
men whose names were suggested at
the meeting Of the progressive repn5-
licans held in Sioux Falls last Janu-
airy, as delegates to the national re-
publican convention.
First about the Sioux Falls meet
ing. 1t will be remembered that last
fall there were held two large meet
ings of progressives, one at Huron
and one at Mitchell. These meetings
were not inharmonious and resulted
in the selection OF a Joint committee
which committee called the Sioux
Falls meeting. That meeting was
large and enthusiastic and resulted in
a selection OF a list of m for dele
gates, the adoption of a motto under
which those delegates would run, and
the passing of strong resolutions
pledging the support of the delegates
for Senator La Toilette for the presi-
Dental nomination.
The meeting was decidedly a La
Toilette meeting, but in the adoption
of the motto la Follette-Rooseyelt
, Progressive Republican Principles" it
was deemed wise to place the princi-
piles above the man.
1t will be generally conceded that
La Toilette and Roosevelt are the two
great progressive leaders and that
their principles jointly considered
cover the whole field of progressive
ism. We recognize La Toilette as the
original progressive, dauntless and
~infexible, but we also realize that Mr..
Roosevelt while president, by his
rugged courage and honesty and his
passion for the Square deal" made
a breach In the wall Of the ~intrenched
interests through which the progress
sives under the leadership Of Senator
La Toilette and his distinguished as
sociates have made many successful
assaults.
Under the resolutions adopted at
the Sioux Falls meeting I consider
myself pledged to support Senator La
Toilette and should l be elected as
delegate to the national convention, I
shall support Mr.. La Toilette until he
withdraws or until l am convinced
a reasonable doubt that he
cannot be nominated and that by con-
tinuing to support him the re-nomlna-
tion Of Mr.. Taft might result. Then
and in that case l should feel at liber-
ty to support my second choice, viz.
Col. Roosevelt, who has paid Senator
La Toilette the high compliment Of
referring to his work and accomplish
ments in Wisconsin as models for ma
tional legislation.
For both these great men ! have
a sincere admiration and if Senator
La Toilette cannot be nominated, l
certainly hope Col. Roosevelt will be
for cannot and will not support Mr..
Taft in the convention. In the event
that MI. Taft goes into the convention
with a clear majority and it should
appear beyond any doubt that he will
be re-nominated on the first ballot,
then I shall vote for Senator La Fol-
lette.
The above / believe to be the atti-
tude Of my associates with nearly all
of whom l have conferred within the
last week. I believe that the meeting
at Sioux Falls acted strictly within
its rights legally and morally in
adopting the motto and there will be
no change in the motto with the con
sent OF the delegates. 1t stands for
principles and Is in itself a platform
broad enough and strong enough for
every progressive republican in South
Dakota to stand upon.
In my opinion any change in the
motto or any movement by the pro-
gressive republicans in South Dakota
to put forward another list of dele
gates would be a in the interest
of our opponents and well calculated
to so divide and weaken our strength
as to result in the election Of a Taft
delegation, and I am convinced that II
Mr.. La Toilette and Col. Roosevelt
were correctly informed as to the
true situation, they would not allow
their names to be used In a way to
further the interest OF the stand-pat-
tiers.
M. G. CARLISLE.