The searchlight., 1912-04-26
PROGRESSIVES
ORGANIZE
A Progressive Republican Club
Orgauized In the Opera Hall
Last Night

A meeting Of the Progressive
Republicans Of Culbertson met in
the Opera Hall last night and or
ganized . Progressive Republican
Club, which will be part OF the
Progressive Republican League OF
Valley County.
Culbertson at present has no
county committee, w. T. Stephens
having removed to Plentywoo1.
G. H. Coulter called the meeting
to order. F. S. Reed was elected
temporary chairman and Mr.. Coul-
ter temporary secretary, which or
ganization was made permanent for
the evening.
Hon. Thos. M. Everets, State
Senator from Choteau County, was
then introduced, and proceeded IN
clear and concise manner to ex-
plain the difference between the
progressive Republicans and the
Old Line Republicans, which the
Amalgamated Copper Company
has practical control in Montana.
Immediately after his speech the
citizens present proceeded to or
ganize themselves into the Pro-
gressive Republican Club Of Cul-
bertson, Montana. The following
officers were elected: F. S. Reed,
President; DR.. n. d. Edmonds,
Vice President; G. II. Coulter,
Secretary; Walter Patch, Treas.
A petition substantially as fol-
lows to Hon. John Survant, State
Senatd from Valley County was
read by Mr.. Coulter and adopted:
To the Hon. John Survant.
State Senator from vslly County:
We. the undersigned citizens. Of Valley
County. Montana. believing that at least
seventy. five per cent Of all voters. regard
less of political Affiliations. are in favor of
a state wide primary law, and a presiden-
tial primary at which they can register
their choice for Preident Of the United
States. and having been informed that
Governor Norris will. when two more
! state senator's have signed pledges that
they will support the primary law drafted
by the nonpartisan commission appointed
by him. call the state legislature into ex-
traordinary session for the purpose Of ex-
acting said bin into law and having been
informed that you are one OF the Senators
who has not so pledged himself. respect.
fully ask andepetition that you write the
Governor forthwith pledging Yourself to
suppor, said primary Law.
Respectfully submitted.
This petition was signed by
majority Of those present. A COM
mittee consisting OF g. H. Coulter.
II. ID. Edmonds and Rev. X. T.
Cookingham to further circulate
the petition.
A resolution was also adopted
that it was the sense OF this meet
ing that primaries should be held
in each precit to elect delegates TO
a county convention which will
elect delegates to the state con-
vention, instead Of having them
hand picked by the county COM
mittee.
Under this plan OF each county
committee naming the delegates to
the state convention, the State
CeRtral Committee which is con-
trolled by the Amalgamated Cop
per Company, expects to select
delegates to the State Convention
who will all be in favor Of Mr.. Taft
for President. Under this plan
the rank and hle OF the Republican
party will have nothing to say as
to whether Taft delegates shall be
selected or otherwise.
The proposition as to whether
the county committees or the vot-
ers select the delegates to the state
convention is one Of the most in
lportant political questions before
the voters today, for upon il rests
the very foundation OF political
liberty.