Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1913-01-06

warning factions OF his party. Giving
him credit for the best OF intentions,
and making full allowance for his I'M
questioned ability. 1t seems certain that
in his administration the parting OF the
Democratic ways will come, just as
occurred in the Republican party UNI
der Taft. Under existing conditions
a divided party does not mean lack of
ability in Its national leader. Men are
Disguised with meaningless political d.
visions. and a purely artificial tie. such
as a party name, cannot longer be sue
cessfully used to control them.
IF the expected happens, we can
safely count on great gains in the con-
gressional elections Of 1914. and a
sweeping national victory in 1916, for
we already have over four millions OF
votes, and each vote represents the
honest conviction of an elector with
regard to certain great governmental
questions. On the other hand, the
votes which elected Wilson were cast
for no program, or no particular prin-
ciple. A large majority were cast from
force of habit, a considerable num-
Der from the hope OF participating in
the spoils Of victory. certain ele-
ment voted for Wilson to beat Roose-
welt, and a great number of honest Pro-
sressives mistrusting our motives, de-
cided to stay with the Democratic ship
for another voyage.
Tho Problem in Idaho.
"Our own problem In Idaho is pecu-
liar, and calls for special treatment. To
safely count on winning in 1914 our
campaign must begin at once. We must
educate the people thoroughly with re-
gard to our program, national and
state. We must organize every county,
down to tie smallest precinct. We must
gain the confidence Of the people. and
the first step is to demonstrate to them
that we earnestly believe in progressive
principles, and this session of the legis-
lature will provide an excellent oppor-
tunity for us to show our mettle. The
very first problem which confronts us
in carrying forward our work is the
question of finances. We must have
at least a moderate amount of money
placed at the disposal of the state or
ganization. A stenographer should be
steadily employed in handling the cor
respondence, for much may be accom-
plished from headquarters by active
use of the mails In addition, funds
should be provided for the necessary
postage and printing. and the travelling
expenses of organizers. have rough
ly estimated the amount necessary to
carry forward the work at about 5000
per month for the next "a months.
las to the plan for raising these
funds. was much impressed by the
| to- Gov,
ence by Walter Weyl, the New -orl1
puhlicist. in which, following Colonel
Roosevelt's ideas, he advocated the SO
cialization of campaign contributions.
In Idaho here. we are perhaps unfor-
tunate in not having in our ranks lib-
eral and wealthy men willing to large
ly bear the financial burdens of the
movement, but even were there such.
decidedly believe that a far better
plan would be to have n great many of
us each contribute a little, rather than
for a few to do it all.
LAS a basis on which our finance
committee can work. l have ventured to
prepare a printed form for contribu-
lions, dividing each into n certain spe-
Gifted amount per month for the next
two years. Many Of us would feel like
investing SIS month in this cause;
others a dollar month. and others
more or less. BY this means fixed
income viii be made available to meet
legitimate party expenses, and the
work will steadily progress.
Work of tho Press.
Our educational work must be
largely done through the press. In
many counties there are already Pro-
gressive newspapers, and where such
exist. every effort should be made by
| the organization TO extend their in
| fluence. Where no paper devoted to
our policies now exists. a strong en-
deayer should be made to secure the
support of some established sheet
Failing in that. wherever possible, Pro-
grcssive papers should be encouraged
to start. ! understand that this latter
course is already under considera ton in
more than one county.
I'VE are extremely fortunate in hay
| ing the support of two great dailies
| in the north the Spokesman Review,
and in the south the Capital News.
believe that we can, with entire pro-
priety, boost these papers in their re-
spective fields, for wherever they cir
culate, the Progressive party is sure
of gaining in strength.
| The national committee has de-
| cided to continue the Progressive Bull
| letin as a permanent publication. and a
systematic effort should be made by
every county organization to obtain a
1 large list Of subscribers for it. Its wide
and general circulation will prove a
very effective means of cementing our
organizations.
| experimenting the press in our edu-
cational work should be the lecture
platform. Arrangements have been
made by our national executive COM
mittee for supplying Progressive
speakers. We should have In each
county at least twice a year. some
speaker of sufficient reputation and
ability to attract and hold repre-
sentative audience. I venture that nc
one could listen to a speech like Sen
ator Beveridge delivered at our fam
I st