The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1913-04-24
PROGREsslVEs OF NORTH
IDAHO TO HAVE CONFERENCE
Call ls Issued BY State Chairman
Gipson for Meeting to Be Held
at Lewiston, May 81.

l
Gipson for Meeting to ee Held
at Lewiston, May "a.
State Chairman James H. GIBSON
has issued call for a conference
Of north Idaho Progressives to meet
at Lewiston, May "a. This is in
furtherance Of his determination to
hold conferences for the benefit of
party members in the different sec.
tons Of the state from time to time.
One was held at Pocatello on Lin
coins birthday and one was held at
Boise recently when q banquet was
given. This will make the third
conference and while it is designed
for the special benefit Of north
Idaho members. still it Is expected
that members Of the party will be
present from other sections Of the
state The call issued by the state
chairman Is as follows:
In pursuance of the plan pre-
viously outlined for holding pro-
gressive meetings in every section
Of the state, the date for the North
Idaho Progressive conference has
been set for Saturday, May "a, at
10 o'clock in the morning, at Lewis
ton. Idaho. The conference is state
wide in its scope. and the attend
ance of every man and woman who
voted for Roosevelt and johnson, as
we'll as those who did not but will
next time, is invited.
Work Of Legislature
cat this meeting, searching
analysis of the work of the last ses-
sion of the legislature will be made.
among other matters. believe
every fair-thinking man who calmly
considers the legislative record of
the Twelfth session must be con-
WINGED that the "get-together' poll.
cy has been condemned at it's first
trial / allude to the efforts of those
good but misguided people who are
persistently shouting that the Re
publican party is progressive, and
that the way to secure needed legis-
.lative reforms is for the progress
sives to unite with the old party,
and work out the salvation Of the
nation on that plan. The Republic
can party had an overwhelming ma
jority in the legislature. all elected
as Republicans. Among this num-
Der there were doubtless a few who
supported the Progressive ticket, but
1t Is absolutely fair to judge the
tendency of the Republican party in
Idaho today by the proceedings Of
the Twelfth session. question
whether there is anyone competent
to judge, who on this basis, will not
condemn the Republican party in
this state, as now constituted, as
reactionary to the last degree. What
was the fate of the numerous recall |
measures, some of them introduced
to carry out the expressed will of
the people? How Jared the pro-
vision for an initiative? What was
done about the short ballot? How
does the small property owner-the
laboring man whose thrift enables
him to call his home his own? Were
his interests safeguarded in the
new administration revenue bill?
As a matter Of fact, the Twelfth
session was absolutely controlled by
group Of reactionary politicians
I'D liners, who have no more SYM
'athy with progressive policies than
knowledge Of the science OF good
government. This condition will
Prevail as long as the Republican
'arty remains in power in this
tate, and the fruit Of every legis.
alive session controlled by its stand
'at leadership will be, as now, wide
pread and universally expressed dis
abstraction. which has reached the
'oint, in the northern counties of
accession.
Constructive Program
In addition to a consideration Of :
legislative work. the conference will
Q expected to outline purely con- :
tructive program to form the basis
our work during the next two :
ears. The people have been fed
'r some time on agitation; they are :,
pe for changes, but they must be
lven more substantial diet; and
ur party must not only point out
le defects In the existing system,
ut provide sane, conservative rem
lies for these defects, II 1t is go
g to rightly serve the people. :,
"A general consideration of the
ALTERS affecting the welfare Of the
arty in Idaho, and a comprehensive :. :,
IAN Of organization for the north
n counties will close the work of "
70 conference
Il have received great many -
m h. |