The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-13

sways now, 80 what could you expect
OF the subway contracts?
There was no doubt among the So
Der minded Progressive leaders--some
of whom were on the platform. but
were not called upon to speak---that
il the Progressives decide to hold by
the advice rendered to them tonight,
the fusion movement will go down to
defeat.
Colonel Sends Letter.
Colonel Roosevelt was not at tho
dinner. 1t was q county affair. pure
and simple, with County Chairman
Francis W. Bird in charge. The FRO
eressives wanted to show what sort
If an affair they could hold without
Colonel Roosevelt as a headiineF ana
so they pointed with pride to Their
rae thousand auditors.
The colonel sent II letter TO Dean
George w. Kirchwey, chairman Of the
dinner committees. The letter fol-
lows:
NEW YORK, May 12.-"My dear
Dean Kirchwey,-I wish J. could Dc
with the Progressives of New YORK
county at their dinner. AS that Is
impossible let me send my nearly
greetings, and call attention TO tho
battle which Is at this moment pc
ing waged in this State for thorough
4
bill ~,
while ] think the progressive bill
was the best bill introduced, / never
theless most cordially back the pili
urged by Governor Sulzer, for that
bill means a substantial measure OF
nositive gain: and the invenomed OPP
position of both the Murphy and
barnes machines to it is OF itself
sufficient proof that II is emphatlcaiiy
in the interest of the people as
whole.
The alliance between the two ma
chimes and the Legislature shows nov
absolutely correct was our character
cation Of them last fall Really, at
present there are not three party Or
ganizations There are but two, the
party of progress, and against II the
party of privilege. the party or re-
action. This party Of reaction IL or
ganized in two divisions chilled Re
pubncans and Democrats. the better
TO make effective the common OPP
position of both machines 20 the
policy of genuine self-government-
"Mock Fight"
Nothing pleases the representa-
ttves of privilege so much as mock
fight between the two old parties,
and that Is all that the fighting be-
tween them Ia. whether Mr. Barnes
IL on top, or Mr.. Murphy is on top,
makes no difference; in either case
privilege is enthroned. and in both
cases the people are deprived Of real
power. The bosses and the machines
OF the two old parties are engaged
In the effort to keep the state govern
ment out of the hands OF the people
and under bipartisan control OF the
old party bosses.
Il have been glad to support Gov
ernor Sulzer in this fight, and /
earnestly hope that the prosressives
will take the lead in the battle for
a acknowledging direct primary meas
ure. 1t should be borne IN mind by
all voters that the men who are now
in the legislature. both Republicans
and Democrats, were pat there on
their solemn and direct pledges that
they would give a genuine direct pri-
mary bill. yet now each of the old
parties has caucused in the Legislature
TO defeat the solemn pledge In Its
prediction platform. There can be
no more fragrant type 81 political
/ treachery and falsehood. I cannot
/ believe that the people will submit
/ TO such action and only by support
| ing the progressiyes ran they avoid
| submitting To such acton.
| (Signed)
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.