The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1912-09-19
GOV. JOHNSON
AT SIOUX FALLS
Outlines Bull Moose Program and
Platform


Johnson of California, candidate for
vice president on the progressive
ticket, last night took up the issues
of the campaign as raised bv the
progressive party. declaring that it
was a fight for humanity and equal
rights and opportunities for all.
The crowd which filled the large
room became more enthusiastic as
the speaker outlined the purpose of
the new party and the applause,
which at times interrupted his ad-
dress was almost deafening.
The meeting was called to order at
$50 o'clock by Governor Wesley who
in a few brief remarks introduced
Governor Johnson. He called atten-
ton to the great achievement of the
governor in California.
Governor Johnson in opening his
address thanked the people of South
Dakota for their courtesy toward
him. He said, in part:
"ln California we were for years
under the dominance Of railroad in
huence. 1t was not until in 1910
that we overthrow their power in a
direct primary election.
I'VE then secured control Of the
machinery of the state and under the
law we had the right to select dele
gates to the national convention as
we saw fit but we. at the request of
the stalwarts. passed a state wide
presidential primary law. All parties
agreed to the law and the president
of the United States accepted it by
lndorsing the 26 delegates named for
him. Following this a democrat and
crooked politics started to contest
the seat of two delegates from San
Francisco.
THE national committee sustained
him and they OVERRIDE the will of d
majority of 1900 republicans of
California.
Then it was that those who want
the people to rule met in Chicago in
August and brought forth a new
party which declares that the will
of the people is law.
The men at Chicago who over
rode the will of the people. assisted
their party and their candidate for
president. They transmitted a small
minority into majority, and by that
act killed their party.
when the convention of the pro-
gressives was held in Chicago in
August, there were gathered men
ard women who have distinguished
themselves as leaders in working
for many kinds of reform. They
were there united for n great
purpose and the meeting was unus-
ual III political history,
1--WE have, now ceased to fight
sham battles and are fighting a real
battle against a real enemy of the
people,
1.-The platform of the progressive
party is a covenant with the people.
1t is not a program or mere plat
form but a direct contract with the
people to give them the right to rule
themselves and to do away with the
government, composed of
crooked politicians and crooked big
businesses.
The new party stands for the
people declaring it's belief IN the
right and ability of the people to
rule. 1t stands for presidential and
direct primaries, for the district
election of United States senator's,
1t wants the people to have the
right to initiate laws and to set
aside Objectionable laws by the ref
1t wants to give the peo-
pie the right to discharge their In
competent and undesirable public
servants by the recall.
"'The new party wants a protec-
tive tariff but for protection only.
and it wants a part of that protec-
to go into the pay envelope of
of laborers.
1--WE stand for progressive princip-
les in government to protect human
ity and conserve the human being.
THE greatest asset of a govern
ment is its human resources. The
object of this movement is to lift up
the less fortunate without tearing
down others. until they have some
of Gods sunlight and some of His
blessing. We want simple justice
to eve ry man, women and child in
the country and that is ALL"