The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-18

when 1 would cast my lot, my vote
with the Republican party. Then years
of proud achievement were suddenly
spoiled in the action of that Chicago
convention. L began to watch the eff
forts of the Progressives. If what the
Progressive party promises it will do,
if it rings true. if it does not de-
ceive us, but stands for the honest
advancement of humanity, then many
women-Kansas women-are for the
movement. The time has come when
you need the womens help and now
we are willing to give it,
After the ratification of the commit
tees nomination, the deba te settled
around the organization of the new
party. Almost unanimously, it seemed,
the men who attended the meeting
were talking and yelling for a new
deal in Kansas politics. They urged
the breaking away from the Republic
can party and straight, open fight
along Progressive lines.
New Party Is Born.
Sheffield Ingalls,, lieutenant governor
elect, opened the oratory for the new
party. THE time is ripe, rotten ripe"
said Ingalls, when there should be
change. Both the old parties are alb
surd and illogical and it is time when
all who believe in Progressive princi-
pies should organize into the Progress
sive party and those who do not should
organize. And on that line we Shoulo
fight it OUT
A dozen speeches were made for and
against the new party-but only two
men spoke against the organization.
These men were E. H. Sowder of Wtch-
tia and w. E. Rhoady, county attor-
ney of Edwards county. They advised
against hasty action. But the con-
vention turned a deaf ear They re-
fused to listen, although time after
time White urged that the speakers be
given an audience but the crowd re-
fused to be quiet. Then came the vot-
ing. Only Sowder and Rhoady openly
opposed the launchir@ of a Third party.
And in that vote the Progressive party
was born in Kansas.
If william Allen Whites prediction at
the Progressive convention comes true,
United States Senator Joseph L. BristoW
and CONGRESSMAN Victor Murdoch of the
gressive nominees in 1914 and will sever
their relations with the Republican party
launched. In his speech before the Pro
gresSiVe convention, White assured the
Bull Moose leaders that both Bristow and
Murdoch We're in sympathy with the
movement and could be relied on to give
their assistance to the cause in Kansas.
Should Bristow become the Progressive
candidate for United States senator in
1914 it is probable that United States Sen
ator Charles Curtis, who was defeated for
oppose Bristow for the election. 1t will
mean a three cornered fight in which the
Democrats will apparently have all the
better of the argument and a strong
chance to have a solid Kansas delegation
not only in the United States senate, but
also in congress.
The attitude of the Kansas women to-
ward the new party is a matter of much
speculation. There will be about quar-
ter of a million women vote in Kansas
for the first time in 1914 At the Progress
sive convention in Topeka Tuesday, a
dozen women were in attendance. Among
them were some of the leaders in the re-
cent suffrage campaign in this state. Mrs.
Monroe and Miss Ecker assured the Pro-
gressives that hundreds of Kansas wom-
en- would flock to the new party under Its
present program.
Progressive leaders claim that they viii
draw the large majority of the female
vote of the state. With Miss Ecker In the
secretary's chair of the new party, a
strong appeal will be made to the Kansas
women to unite with the new political
party. And on the support of the women
of the state apparently depends much as
to the future of the new party