The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1912-10-03
Governor McGovern Comes
Out as Supporter of the
New Progressive Party.
HITS AT TAFT AND SHERMAN
Declares Sympathy With the Pr gres-
sive Party Movement and VIII Vote
for Roosevelt and Marshall but Re
main on Republican Ticket.

Governor Francis E. McGovern,
heading the republican state ticket
for reelection, this afternoon made a
formal statement declaring himself one
of the new progressive party and an
nouncing his intention to support
Roosevelt and Johnson. In a person
al letter addressed to this paper Gov
ernor McGovern goes at length into
his causes for DESERVING the republican
candidates. He says in part as
follows:
FThe paramount duty of the peopl }
of Wisconsin is to promote their own
welfare The first business Of those
who believe in the nigh civic ideals
their state has espoused and exempli-
fed in recent years is to conserve and
still further advance what has been so
Well begun.
TO begin with | cannot advocate the
reelection of Taft and Sherman. AS
progressive republican / find myself
Numerically opposed to almost every
thing this ticket represents. Presl-
dent Taft s administration has accom-
plished some good things; but in the
main its history is a record of poll.
teal incompetence and retrogression.
But multiplication of reasons is IN,
necessary. The one objection that he
was not honestly re-nominated and is
not now rightly the head Of the repub-
lican ticket is enough. His renomina-
ton was stolen.
Nor can II support the democratic
ticket. In Woodrow Wilson there is
much to admire. He is a clean, whole,
some, gifted and patriotic American.
But he is free-trade democrat who
believes in an anti9uated theory Of
states rights and relies for his cleo
ton upon the support of boss-2idden
| political machines
There remains the new progressive
party Whether we judge it by its
platform, its ticket or the composition
of the convention that gave it birth,
we are forced to the conclusion tEat
above everything else it is genuinely
and fearlessly progressive It's plat
form is superb. Comprehensive, cour-
ageous, definite, and practical, as the
declaration of faith of a national party
it is unique, and inspiring in its en-
thuslsm for progress and humanity.
1t takes its stand in favor Of Justice
for those who labor and equality of
opportunity for business men aud
farmers. Manifestly it is the 'Wiscon-
sin idea nationahzed.
Finally let me say it is not an easy
thing for a republican candidate to
withhold support from even the nomi-
nal head of his party. But it is easier
than suffering the feeling of self
qualification and loss of self respect
inseparable from an attempt to go
through this campaign, appearing to
support men he does not respect and
lodging issues that should be square
ly met And after all, as was said of
old. THE letter killeth, but the sririt
giVeth life. 1t is principles, not party
names or labels, that count. No re-
publican who supports the national
progressive ticket need leave his party
In this state on that account. Indeed
he will prove himself the better pro-
gressive republican of Wisconsin hy
standing Loyalty for the political prin-
elples with which his party has here
been identified for more than a dozen
years. There is no difference in ro,.
son between declining to vote for the
party nominee for vice president and
scratching the republican candidate
Tor district attorney as was done in
Milwaukee county in 1906 between 70.
pudiating the republican candidate for
attorney general of the state as was
done two years ago and refusino n
support the present party nominee for
president, especially when as here his
title to a place on the ticket as utter
y spurious. Therefore I shall support
the republican state, congressional.
Legislative and local tickets and vote
Tor Colonel Roosevelt and Governor
Johnson"