The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-07-29
GRAND OPENING TONIGHT at the TEMPLE THEATEp
ss - 4

in its best utterances and telling the
uncomplimentary truth about the re-
publicans as we'll as any democrat
could do. II began with the sOnOrous
utterance:
We the national progressives of
Florida, former democrats and repub-
licans, in convention assembled at
Ocala, Florida, deeming it fit and
proper that in the organization of
new political party in the nation and
state make the following declaration
of principles"
The next two paragraphs, speaking
of the condition of the country in
general and the policy of the repub-
lican party in particular. are quite ac-
curate and might have been written
or endorsed by any progressive dem
ocrat. They are as follows:
The economic conditions existing
in this nation, resulting from the
|stupendous increase in population, the
extreme cost of living, the unequal
and unfair distribution of wealth, the
special privileges and advantages en-
joyed by the few to the exclusion of
the many, the corruption in and DOM
ination of the republican and demo-
the unequal burden of taxation rest
ing on the man of small means and
the control of the government by sin
lister influences of the privileged
classes, make il the solemn duty of
the people to demand that the gov
eminent be restored to-the people and
that it be administered in their inter
ests.
q p iOy
influences controlling the president of
the United States has betrayed the
people. 1t is reactionary in sentiment
and practice. 1t is revolutionary in
| it's purpose to overthrow and thwart
the will of the people, organized fifty
six years ago upon the principles of
liberty of all the people: it has degen-
Grated into camp of reckless mercen-
aries. The attempted theft of the
presidency at Chicago this year is the
browning act of it's infamy. 1t has de-
serted the people and has allied itself
with the interests and the appeal of
the citizens is met with mockery and
scorn in its counsels. 1t is boss-ridden
under a self-perpetuating system and
all hope of it's reform is lost"
| The next paragraph denounces the
democratic party as heartily for sins
of omission as it does the republicans
for sins of commission. 1t is wander
ing, wishywashy, hypocritfcal, nom
dependable, doesn't and will not COM
mand the respect of the people. To
sum it up shortly, the third party ac-
cuses the other two parties of every
crime in the calendar except rape,
murder and arson, and rather insin-
yates the last two.
1t went on to tell of the heartache
caused by the breaking away of the
faithful from the old party, but if any
thing ached in that convention except
Lewis Otto's corns, there was no out
ward evidence of the fact. We don't
know that Mr.. Otto has any corns. We
name him because he is further off
than any other delegate and less like
ly to come back and lick the reporter
The next section bid for the old sol
der vote of both armies, by promising
a pension of not less than 81 a day for
each veteran, Union or Confederate.
The next section denounced misman-
lagement of state finances by the dem
ocratic party, and promised that the
progressives, If put in power, would
not only conduct matters more ef-
ficiently but do away with state and
The next section denounced the ex-
cessive duties imposed by the tariff
but pledged protection for Florida
products.
The next favored elimination OF
politics in the selection of judicial and
quasi judicial officers.
The next favored a session of the
Legislature to enable municipalities tc
build docks and warehouses, provide
terminal facilities and acquire riparian
property.
The next favored good roads.
The next favored continuation OF
drainage.
The next two denounced union OF
the races in political as we'll as socia
affairs.
The appointment of John NJ. Cheney
as Judge of the district court of the
southern circuit of the state was de-
nounced, not because the convention
finds any fault with Mr.. Cheney as {
citizen, but because, it alleges, HI
lacks experience as a civil practitioner
and because his appointment wa:
made as the result of political bar.
gain. The language of the resolution
would have blistered the smile off Mr.
Taft if he had heard it, and we think
almost every democrat could endorse
it.
The document concluded by paying
a high tribute to Theodore Roosevelt
and instructing the delegates to Chi.
cago to vote for his nomination a:
president.
The evening session consumed only
two hours. There was 40 dispute anC
Everything moved smoothly. We should
not say the proceedings were cut and
dried before hand: but rather that al
the delegates knew just what they
were TO do. and did it without disput,
nor unnecessary delay. DR.. Grove
was conspicuous by his absence. 1t i:
said he was presiding over a little
calf moose convention of his own a
MitchelTs hall. Said convention, 81
, We are told. nominated a full tickle
and passed appropriate resolutions
also, elected DR.. Groves national com
mitteeman. TO present the claims o
the calf-moose at Chicago. The doc
, tor is a Shrewd and resourceful citizen
and will be heard from in the Wind
City, whether he gains the ear Of ii,
national committee or not