The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-06-16

the great vital questions of govern
ment, about which our people are so
deeply interested? Let's analXze.
The Democratic Legislature of 1911,
together with Governor Craig, APP
pointed a commission to revise our
State Constitution. The Legislature of
1913 received their repOr and pro-
posed ten amendments to our ConSti-
tuition which it submitted to the peo-
pie Of the State for adoption. This
was the work of two Democratic Leg
islatures and a Democratic Governor.
The people will soon vote on these
amendments. What does our platform
say to the people about these vital
changes in our organic law? Moth
ing, except as to the one concerning
public schools.
Unfair to Voters.
When the campaign opens I expect
to tender my services to the Chairman
IF the State Committee for the pur-
pose Of making speeches in support
OF ou1 party everywhere can be of
service. How do | know what to tell
the people my party advises them to
do? How will other Democratic
speakers know what position to take
on any or all Of these amendments? [
submit it is not fair to the voters to
be left in the lark to guess upon vital
questions. Yet, when / urged these
and other views upon the platform
committee | was old that | was too
progressive. The difference which di-
vides me and other progressive Demo-
Gratis in North Carolina from those in
the State convention who Counseled
ultra-conservatism is not personal, but
arises out o fwhat we conceive to be
Our duty to the State. We believe in
a legalized primary law for all offices.
They don't. We believe in a corrupt
practices act hat will enable the PEG
pie to choose all their candidates
through a primary uninfluenced by
money or the tricks of politics. They
don't. We believe n taking all the
people into our confidence and telling
them frankly our views and advice
on all questions relating to their well
fare, such as how we stand as a party
oh the proposed amendments to the
constitution. They don't. We believe
in a party program that will eliminate
the middlemen in politics and fix il
SO that legislators and other office
holders will feel under obligation and
be responsible alone to their masters
the people at Homeland not the
visiting statesman, who SO often un
der the delegate system Craries the
vote of his county in one vest pOCke1
and a railroad pass in the other. The
reactionaries in North Carolina art
violently opposed to this. We be.
5 lieve in adopting all the good meas
ureS advanced by statesmen from Ne
braska. New Jersey and elsewhere
and give our people the benefit o
mankind's Improvement in govern
ment, even if it does break down OF
old revered political machine. Presi
dent Wilson and all the other grea
national Democratic leaders are witt
f US in his belief and program. The,
call it progressive Democracy. 1 an
a progressive Democrat.
. The People Alert.
The people are studying and learn
{ ing and thinking for themselves. Edu
c cation is being disseminated anon
: ell the people, and while they hav
V been content in the past to allow a fey
i delegates to do their thinking an
q voting, they have decided to elimir
ate This fifth wheel in political ma
c!iincrE and take the instrumental
II ties of government in their own hand.
Unless / am deceived our people ar
looking to political organizations, nc
# for offices, but as an agenC thrOug
n which they may accomplish their de
sire for better government. This
# tie spirit of Democracy. and wit
II an intelligent man is always progre;
SiVe. | am proud to be counted
,r Progressive Democrat. l long to Sc
ir my party inthis State progress to tn
point that no man car aspire to a
i elective office under it's banner WI
g is not the selected choice Of his col
W stltuents in a legaliZed primary.
ye want to see it so progressive that co
n lege men and students of public a
w fairs everywhere will be attracted
e its ranks by the conviction that it
O.. the only party that is keeping abrea
OF the times, and honestly meeting al
at dealing with the great problems of Ii
IN III a sane n thoughtful manner.
.. want TO see it SO progressive hat II
f. army OF social service and religion
M workers of the State will see that
lie mission on earth is to improve al
tie help mankind, destroy inequality D
sc fore the law, protect the innocent al
% control the strong.
an In addressing You this letter | +
nd cognize our political influence in t
To party. and high standing in the bu:
at ness world. Hence III my judgme
you are peculiarly suited to aid in il
y. a-e@sins the so-called business m
~ - ~, S+ata with the f3ei that no