Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1912-12-19
REPUBLICANs PRO0REssTvE.

NhNtN~ y NNAAAAhN0 ANNNAAANANtfttA v -
II was characteristic OF the Pop
uIist movement that II sought TO
create the impression that II was
the only party that stood for the peo-
pie and the same thing is true OF
the Bull Moosers. But as the Re-
publieans were working along lines
of all good that the Populists advo-
Gated and have since accomplished
many OF the things advocated by
that party so in the present case the
Republicans stand for all that is
beneficial in the Progressive plat
form. In his speech at Independence
Arthur Capper said:
"The Progressive movent as !
see II. seeks TO protect the weak
against the cupidity Of the strong
and powerful. II seeks to restore to
the people--the source Of all gov
ernmental powers-those rights
which have been usurped by privil-
eye. II seeks to render all govern
mental functions less complex and
complicated. And in this line let
me say that / believe we should
fight with all the earnestness posi-
BILE for less technicality and speed
fer justice in courts for the strict
and impartial enforcement OF the
laws OF the state without fear or
favor, for rich and poor alike"
Fine words. these! But there 10
no aspiration there that il not shar-
ed By men Of eli parties. o pro-
tect the weak against the cupidity OF
the strong has been the aim OF the
party since ever 1t was
organized to resist the encroach-
ments of human slavery. The sta
tute books are burdened with laws
for this purpose. There was
much talk during the administration
that preceded this one Of wrestling
the rights of the people from the
grasp Of privilege and there has been
much effort in that direction during
this administration.
To secure speedy justice and less
in our courts iS the de-
sire of the vast majority Of men,
but that the laws delays are invoked
more often for the rich man than
for the poor is denied. Nor do We
believe that any wise lover Of jus
tice will hold for a moment that It
will be well for our Judges to cit
upon the bench trembling with fear
lest the rabble will not agree with
them in their Interpretation Of the
law.
But the point we would make is
that in all things involving the well
fare OF mankind the desire Of the
accords with that Of the
Progressive and there was therefore
not only no necessity for going out
side the Republican party to secure
what Is good in the Progressive plat
form but, on the other hand, the
chances of securing 1t were greatly
by the course taken by the
adherents of Roosevelt.
Henry ]. Allen has said to at least
,ne prominent Kansan that the offer
was made to him at the time Of the
national Republican convention to
nominate some one else than Taft II
he Roosevelt men would agree to
Iome one else than Roosevelt, that
le carried the offer to Mr.. Roose-
talt and that 1t was refused by him.
h has been. told a hundred times,
md never denied, that the Taft men
'ffered to compromise upon Hadley |
md that Roosevelt emphatically re-
used to agree to 1t,
Now, had Mr.. Roosevelt been will
ng to forego his ambition and assist
n the nomination of Hadley or Cum
Minis does any one doubt that we
you'd today have Republican pres
dent elect apd that the Progressive
ause would be entrenched in power
instead of being almost without. q
Oothold in the country? Let US get
ogether and get in shape to get re-
ults.-Leavenworth Times.
u-