Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1912-08-16
PROGRESSIVE PLATFORM

sive party ever held in Virginia.
It met here yesterday in the JET
fersou theatre and was attensed
by three hundred and fifty dele
gates representing practically ali
parts of Virginia. I'm size OF its
attendance and in the personnel
of its delegates, it was a concur
sive proof that the Progressires
are a genuine and permanent
organization; that they are here
to stay, and that IN all prob
ability they will give Taft 5
of6ceholding aggregation a start
ling surprise.
Congressman Slemp in state
ment given out in Washington 4
few days ago declared that tbs
Progressive party was made II.
of disappointed and malicious
would-be Office holders. If Stem.
had been in Roanoke YESTERDAY
he might have changed his mind
He would have seen a gatherin:
of earnest and intelligent men
as different from the pie-couute
brigade that assembled in til.
Academy of Music here seyera
months ago, as a real diamond
different FROM glass. Every MAJ
who took prominent part in til
Academy of Music conclaye Wa:
a collector of internal revenue
congressman, postmaster, clerl
of court or some other govern
ment protege, and every action
and resolution was born ant
reared in the breast of Slemp o
Alvah II. Martin. Among thos'
who met yesterday, ii the Jeffer-
son theatre there wasn't an ofhc.
holder or an avowed candidat'
for an Office. Practically ever,
man there was a farmer O.
worker OF some kind, loyal
energetic citizen, devoted to hi
calling in life and far removed
from politics as a business. The,
came to Roanoke because the.
believed in the principles of the
Progressive party. Slemp's Grove
came here because they wer'
hungry and saw a lot of delicious
crumbs on Slemp's table. Prin
ciple and conviction had about a.
much to do with their politlca
activity as a boot owl has to d.
with daylight.
While the Republican party j,
Roanoke and Chicago sang tn
song it has sung eyer since it
or cation, lodging issues anf
throwing sand in the peoples
eyes. the Progressiyes came out
fearlessly. taking up live issue.
and clearly and distinctly ex'
pressing an opinion.
Briefly they say:
We believe courts should eonstru
laws not make them.
We favor parcels post.
We believe in protection and &c
clare for an honest and scientific ap
plication thereof.
We believe Roosevelt is leadins
this great movement with no though
of consequences to himself.
We declare fer initiatiye, refer
endum and recall, legalised primaries
for all elective Offices; opposition /,
child labor, thorough examination G
state finances, change of the preser
outworn system, adequate pension 70
Confederate soldier and his wido.
right OF . majority Of voters to fix til,
form OF government in cities, woman
suffrage, free school books and re
peal OF poll tax ~ prerequisite 70
voting.
That Slemp and Alvah Fl
NJ artin and Lou Summers ant
Royal E. Cabell should beliey,
j n and support 4 platform lik.
this, no one with a grain OF
honest jude ment would ever en
pect. What appeals to then is
than which p1eases Taft ant.
Smoot and Guggenheim and PEN
rose and William Barnes.
A gentleman hese from Floyd
says he questioned twenty Re-
publicans along : certain mai,
routed : that Of the twenty.
nineteen were for Roosevelt anc