Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1913-01-25
SCHEME FOR UNITING
and uplift to the whole nation.
CONTINUED from page p


The platforms of the Republican
and the Progressive parties are IN
many respects much the same. On
economic policies they substantially
agree. The Progressive platform is
.freer from the slavery of tradition,
and goes further In the direction OF
social Justice and Industrial eyolu-
ton. Moreover, it urges many good
policies not covered by the Republi-
can platform. But the difference be-
tween the two would not seem to be
insuperably great II the representa-
tives of each, meeting on neutral
ground, should try earnestly and hon
estly to harmonic them.
Two-thirds of the voters OF the Re-
publicans are as advanced in heart
and idea as the more serious and
subtantial men of the Progressive
party. These men, officially in diff
ferent parties, see things in the same
way Forming a decided majority,
as they do, Of each party, they
should, in the interest of efficient
legislation for the common good, get
together under one banner. Divided,
as they are, into two organizations,
they have no political power.
"The Liberal Party would be a
very comprehensive and appropriate
name for the new holding party. 1t
would be quite in harmony with the
spirit of the day. 1t is a well-known
name for a political party. 1t sig
mites an attitude that is popular, a
purpose to treat people and policies
with liberal consideration.
States should send an equal num-
Der of Republicans and Of Progress
sives as delegates to the national
conference. This does not mean that
all States should send the same num-
Der, but that of the total number
sent from any State there should
be like representative from each
party.
The fact that the Progressives cast
larger vote in November should
not justify them in expecting larg-
er number of delegates than their op-
ponents. While the Republicans are
numerically weaker they are at the
same time stronger in their estab-
lished organization, and in their av-
enues of publicity, through an excess
of newspapers favorable to them.
On the other hand, the Progressives
are stronger in that they are essen
TALLY a unit, whereas the Republicans
are divided into conservatives, reac-
tionaries, and practical Progressives.
Moreover, the Progressive party is
especially strong in it's youth, its
zeal, and it's spirit, which is the
spirit of duty and of triumph. These
qualities in themselves are a ire
mendous power in a political organi-
cation.
But beyond the question of which
party is the stronger is the vital
fact that no satisfactory results could
be worked out in the national confer
ence if one party could outvote the
other. With equal representation
from each, neither would have any ad-
vantage over the other.
The number of delegates from each
State should be in proportion to the
combined Roosevelt-Taft vote in the
November election. That is to say,
instead of fixing the number OF dele
gates by Congressional districts, 1t
would work out better, everything
considered-the Southern delegate
situation in particular considered
to base the number of delegates on
the actual number of the combined
votes cast in the various States for
Roosevelt and Taft.
In this way, the convention would
consist of delegates actually repre-
sentative of the Republican and the
Progressive vote of the country and
this is as it should be. To do eff
cient work, the national conference
should be kept down to the smallest
number of delegates that would give
representation to every state.
The men in the Republican ano
Progressive parties who put party
name ahead of principles and poll
cies doubtless will not take kindly
to this suggestion, or to any similal
suggestion; the men who put prin
ciples and policies ahead OF name
will perhaps see in it way to ths
clearing.
Naturally, should not expec
Barnes and Penrose and Gallingel
and Crane and others of their type
to take kindly to this plan, or to an!
other plan looking toward liberal ant
advanced ideas. They and Wal
Street are conservative to the las
degree, and are indulging In the Wis
ion Of seeing the Republican part.
re established ON ra-conEervattv
lines, reactionary lines.
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