The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-10-12


that the bull moose party in Michigan
would succeed from it's inception in
splitting the ponderous republican
party in this state so widely as TO So
cure realignment of political forces
according to the natural divisions OF
conservative and liberal principles and
policies will need to take hope OF faith
rather than Of numbers. The Lansing
convention adequately represented the
strength OF the progressive party In
Michigan. But In spite OF it's cheerful
spirit, in spite of its fighting hood, In
spite Of the popularity OF Roosevelt
aud johnson, that convention was in
ferlor in numbers. in cohesiveness, IN
ORGANIZED determination. and IN pro
mise Of. fultillment, TO the republican
state convention held in Detroit last
week It was 70 certain degree In
ferior 10 the democratic state conven-
zion at Grand Rapids. Its resolutions
are more interesting for their eccentri-
cities than for their recognition of the
imminent needs Of the state in large
way as witness their silence on the
short ballot and their utter failure TO
recommend some cure for the obvious
ailments of our present primary cleo
tinn system.
Yet in the method OF Treasurer Pope
the bull moose party can acclaim some
practical accomplishment of righteous
ness in politics Mr.. Pope insists on
making public before elections the
names Of subscribers to the party funds
and the amounts subscribed. as well az
the place where the money goes. The
proof of the pope pudding has been in
the eating There is only one more
step beyond this in the attainment OF
the ideal in campaign funds. That is
in limiting subscriptions to people who
have not any money.
We are more than ever inclined to
agree with Governor Osborn, il agree
ment with Governor Osborn on any
thing is not an affront to all partisans,
when he predicts that the third party
movement will be a failure as far as
mere party accomplishments is concer-
ned. III progressiveism means anything
at all, the cause could have been better
promoted through the democratic party
rs Governor Osborn has said, than
through new party. Even in Michi
gan the democrats seem To have the
better of the situation as compared
with the ball -moosers and their proteo.
tive appeal to our republican hordes
The democrats are united, experienced
in political organizations and warfare
virile, vigorous, optimistic and deter
mined. The new party is a forlorn
hope and is merely dividing the pro-
gressive vote in Michigan.
The democratic convention at Grand
Rapids, through its keynote speech
maker, recognized economic and poll
tica social conditions with clarity
and sanity az unusual as il was encour-
aging. Free trade, Congressman Sweet
admits, is impossible at this time, and
undesirable. The business OF the coun
try Is to be safeguaided against violent
and sudden change, except in so tar as
the business Of the country has become
illegitimate and oppressive through
trust fostering tariffs. Wise and con-
structive counsel prevails foi the most
part among democrats. as becomes men
already sobered by their impending
call TO the lesponsi bilities of govern
mental administration.
They are even learning tactics these
democrats for it was explained at
Grand Rapids, sotto voco, that the
short ballot was not put in the plat.
form because il might subject the
party 10 unnecessary assault at this
time, but that Governor Ferris will
put 1t into his first message to the leg
islature And this naive explanation.
IL You please, was offered by no other
than that man eating radical who now,
as deputy dairy and food commissioner
protects the honest farmer against In,
growth OF oleomargaripe traffic, tn,
Hon. James W. Helme. the very run
ming mate Of Ferris himself.
We cannot altogether admire thi,
sacrifice of principles 10 tactics, but ii
must at least be accepted MS substantial
proof that the democrats. even ii
Michigan. are not likely 10 run amucl
IL they should. Tor the first time II
twenty years, come into the seats Of
the mighty. There NAV be stamped,
or two once they find themselves ad
| mitted TO the pie counter. but onl,
those who are caught in the jam will
be- hurt Those grand old men. who
attended the Grand Rapids convention
In such large numbers. have been unas
n A.