The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-28
Senator Owen Brings
Gospel ofInitiative and
Referendum.
ADDRESSES 5000
AT AUDITORIUM
Progressive Democratic League
Opens It's Convention With
Mass-Meeting - Stuart Gets
Real Ovation, and Name
of Carter Class Is
Warmly Cheered.

To crowd OF 1000 members and
friends of the Virginia Progressive
Democrats League. ga cred In the City
Auditorium last night. Senator Robert l.
owen. OF Oklahoma, brought n political
gospel new to VirCinia-the gospel of
real rule by the people through the
agencies OF the initiative. referendum
and recall The doctrine fell with an
unaccustomed ring upon the ears of
men bred to rovernm entail methods of
an older school. but IL was met with a
warmth and acclaim which augured well
for Its future In the Commonwealt OF
Virginia
There was n directness about Senator
Owens method OF dealing with his
subject that overcame whatever preju-
dicos a part OF the audience harbored
against the new political creed. The
Constitution OF the United States, while
an instrument to be held in honor and
revered. was 10 him no sacrosanct
code nodded by divine hand. He even
recognized in II the crafty hnndiwork
OF those of our forefathers who loved
property rights better than human
rlchts--a failing which. he said. the
new principles of government are to
set right.
Principles Not New.
The initiative and referendum, novel
cording to Senator owen, are no new
tenets in American political thought
Thomas jefferson. he held, asserted 1t
In his declaration that the right OF
the people 10 rule may be established
even at the cost of revolution. Abra
ham Lincoln, he said, unconsciously
cspoused the initiative and referendum
when he declared that all of the peo-
pie know more than some of the peo-
pie.
The speaker carefully refrained from
making any allusior to political signs
of the times In Virginia. This State
and all the other States, he said, are
facing Il new era OF government, the
Keynote of which is Il direct govern
ment by the people, and Virginia s
Democracy, In order to survive, must
adjust itself to the new order.
Upon the stage with the speaker
were seated Il large delegation from
the two houses OF the General Assem-
bly, and representatives, OF the Democ-
lacy of the State at large. He was
presented to the audience. which nearly
neyGeneral John Garland Pollard. on
the right Of the Senator sat Governor
Stuart.
Crowd Calls for Stuart.
The long applause that followed the
address of Senator Owen had scarcely
Qlcu away When cries Tor Governor
stuart arose from every part of the
building. The calls grew more and
more insistent. and the Governor arose
amidst q storm of handclapping to re-
sponk to the demonstration.
Il regard this an unfair use of
the Initiative" said Governor Stuart.
when the crowd bad quieted down suf-
ticien:ly to enable him TO be heard. 1t
was the signal for new outburst
which lasted fun minute. 1T Is only
necessary for me to acknowledge the
compliment you pay me By this call
and 10 take the privilege. IL you Will
permit me. OF thanking for us all the
great Virginlan who has just made us
this magnificent address,"
The address last night was the big
feature of the Virginia Progressive
Democratic Leagues entrance into
State politics a full-fedged organ
ization. The election of officers Will
take place to-day. The initial conven-
ti"n will come to an end to- might, with
al address in the City Auditorium by
William jennings Bryan. Secretary of
State.
Pollard Presents Speaker.
In his Introduction Of Senator Owen
Attorney General Pollard drew atten-