The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1912-03-11
ROOSEVELT
PROGRESSIVE
SAYS BASS
Now Recognized as National
Progressive Leader
Attempt to Befog Issue, Blow
at PrOgreSsivenesS
Urges Every Republican in
State to Unite On Teddy

John r. Bass well known newspa-
per correspondent of New York, and
Il a brother of Governor Bass Of New
Hampshire, arrived in the city ON the
Garfield train this morning to take
charge of the Roosevelt campaign in
this state. Mr.. Bass was accompanied
by Stanley Washburn of Minneapolis,
who will assist in The direction of the
compaign in this state Headquarters
were o. 9ned this afternoon at room
sol at the Waldorf hotel, from which
place everything connected with the
compaign will be directed by Mr.. Bass
and his assistants. .#..
81 come here to North Dakota rep
resenting the executive committee of
the National Roosevelt league" said
John F. Bass to a Forum representa-
tive today. Il know little or moth
ing of the factional fights in the state
politics of North Dakota but l do
know that any effort to befog the
issue by mixing the state situation
with the national struggle is blow
at progressive principles and progress
sive organization within the national
republican party
THE single object Of our organiza-
ton is to promote these principles
within the party by the nomination
and election of Theodore Roosevelt as
tho next president of the United
States. We are doing this because
we know from information gathered
from all quarters OF the country that
he is the only progressive that can
be nominated and absolutely the only
1 republican that can be elected by the
people in November. He fatty re-
fused to enter the field until it be-
came obvious that no other progress
sive could command sufficient strength
in the middle west and the east to
have even lighting chance for the
nomination. know this Of my own
personal knowledge.
To-day the progressive forces in
every state from illinois to the At
lantic seaboaSd hEre combined in
their effort to nomtliate Roosevelt and
all have now come to feel that there
! is no hope for any other progressive
, candidate. Theodore Roosevelt is IN
this fight for principles. He has been
driven into the arena because of the
failure of his successor to carry out
with any vigor those measures to
mitted and for which he struggled so
earnestly.
"To permit factional splits within
the party to draw support from the
only man that can carry. the country
is to play into the hands of the reac-
tionaries in national politics, such as
Lorimer and Mckinley in Illinois, the
, latter being Joe Cannons right hand
4 -. ~,
Island, Penrose in Pennsylvania,
Barnes in New York and so on through
the list Of the Taft campaign man
ayers.
1t should be the earnest purpose OF
every republican in this state who
stands for progressive principles to
focus all his strength and enthusiasm
in carrying this sUate for Mr.. Roose-
welt. Already the undertow is setting
strongly in favor or Lhe nomination of
your former fellow -cEIizen and deputy
sheriff. The much Wanted solid south
which the Taft managers have been
claiming, is rapidly 0issoIving.
Oklahoma has alreauy shown that
there is no fetish for Tart in the south.
The Texas state central committee by
! a vote Of 27 to while Ine latest re-
ports that are coming into us indi-
cate that we will carry portions Of
Tennessee, Louisiana and North and
South Carolina. The west will
be almost solid for Roosevelt while
in the great states of New fork and
Pennsylvania the demand of the people
is so undermining the machinery of the
politician for the roping and trying oi
the delegates to the national conven-
tion for the man in the saddle that we
have the most encouraging assurances
that we shall split both Pennsylvania
( and New York, while more than two
/ thirds of Ohio will be for Roosevelt
!, The same promises to be true Of In
: diana and Illinois. You of North Da-
, kota are the first ones to show your
i hands in a statewide presidential pre-.
ference primary. You should send 3
! solid Roosevelt delegation to Chicago
The moral effect of such action by yov
will be far greater than you car
imagine. The whole country is watch.
! ing you today. / shall open Roosevelt
headquarters at the Waldorf hotel anc
would urge any republican that be.
lieves in progressive principle to come
| In and talk matters over with me. Thil
2 is fight of the people. 1t is the bit.
t terest struggle that we have had ii
q many years. The Taft forces are us
I ing every available means to confus,
! the issue and destroy the hopes Of th.
8 progressive candidate in the republica1
: party. In this fight President Roose.
welt will be the last man to quit"
II