Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-06

Twas delivered TO the national pro-
gressive convention today.
Mr.. Roosevelt's speech strikes a Key
note for his followers and supporters
in the new party. 1t lays down the plan
OF battle TO be waged by the National
Progressive party. He discusses those
principles under twelve subdivisions
namely, the helplessness Of the old par
ties, the right OF the people TO rule. the
courts and the people, constructive con
troll Of the trusts. rights Of the wage
worker, the farmer, the tariff. the high
cost Of living, currency, conservation.
Alaska and international affairs. The
two old parties" he said, are husks,
with no real soul within either. divided
on artificial lines, boss ridden and priv
ilege controlled, each tumble OF in
congruous elements and neither daring
20 speak out wisely and fearlessly what
should be said on the vital issues OF
the day" As opposed to this incon-
gruity and insincerity Of action he as
serted that the National Progressive
platform will be "a contract with the
people" with definite and concrete pro-
vision 70 be carried out II the people
ratify the contract on election day as
exactly and honestly las II 1t were &C
tually enforceable under the law"
NO HELP FROM OLD PARTY.
Neither the Republican nor the Dem
ocratic platforms or managers show
any adequate recognition OF the mighty
fact that we are now In the midst OF
a great economic evolution" This
irresistible movement for economic
change and improvement must be guild
ed by common sense and the highest
ethical standards in order to prevent
reasonable evolution from becoming
dangerous revolution. The Democratic
party, as is Indicated by It's present rec
ord In congress. lacks the common
sense and the Republican party. by its
record OF stolen delegates at the Chi
cago convention, lacks the ethical
standards.
The men who presided over the Chi
cago and Baltimore conventions and
the great bosses who controlled the
two conventions-Mr Root and Mr..
Parker. Mr.. Barnes and Mr.. Murphy.
Mr.. PenrOse and Mr.. Taggart, Mr..
rGuggenheim and Mr.. Sullvan-differ
from one another. OF course. on GER
dain points, but these are the differ
ences which one corporation lawyer
has with another corporation lawyer
when acting for different corporations.
They come together at once as against
n common enemy when the dominion
Of both Is threatened by the supremacy
~ hn ~ nj
II this country is really TO go
forward along n path OF social and eco
nomic justice there must be a new
party OF nation wide and nonstctional
principles party where the titular
national chiefs and the real state lead
ers shall be in genuine accord. q party
in whose councils the people shall be
supreme, a party that shall represent
I'm the nation and the several states
alike the same cause. the cause of hui
man rights and OF governmental eff
cheney" The reasscrtiou Of the states
rights doctrine OF the Democratic party
Crlpples and forecloses any real or gen
uiue relief 10 the people. II reduces
their promises to hopeless and empty
phrases. The mission aud spirit of this
progressive movement will thrill the
republic from end 10 end
Tile actions Of the Chicago conven-
ton and 20 an only less degree II the
Baltimore convention have shown IN
striking fashion how little the people
do rule under our present conditions
In or'er 10 assure this popular rule Mr..
Roosevelt urged the adoption OF presi-
dental primaries, popular election OF
senators. the short ballot, efficient COZ
rTpt practices act. qualified use Of the
initiative and referendum and recall
The recall should be applied 10 admin
iStratlve officers.
Mr.. Roosevelt asserts that the adop-
tlon Of these new methods OF political
administration Is not antagonistlc 20
representative government. IAN l Ge-
sire 10 do hy securing more direct con
troll Of the governmental agents and
representatives OF the people is to give
the people the chance TO make their
representatives really represent them
whenever the government becomes
misreprc>eutative instead Of represent
alive. | have not come TO this way OF
thinking from closest study or as a
mere matter Of theory. have been
forced 20 it by long experience with
the actual conditions of our political
life"
COURTS AND TIE PEOPLE.
Under this head Mr.. Roosevelt
strongly emphasizes the necessity OF
the sovereign people preserving a check
on every branch OF public service. Tn
der this head Mr.. Roosevelt reiterates
bis now well known views regarding
the courts. The American people and
not the courts are TO determine their
own fundamental policies" This does
not mean that the people are TO inter.
fere In cases which involve merely
questions OF Justice between Indlvidu,
ais except that means should be de
vised for making 1t easier than st pres,
ent to get rid Of an incompetent Judge "
But when a judicial decision Involves
an Interpretation OF what the Peep!
mean by the constitutions which the.
have framed and laws passed by tn