The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-10-03
THE RECORD B (: Of d. DRAWN.

sss5 THE(RECUHD&UhAWh.
The Progressive party assumed an
Importance only on the result of the
presidential vote in 1912. AS q po-
1itical organization it was confined
to but few Republicans who basked
in the reflected glory OF Col. Roose-
welt. "A great number, by far the
greater number, of Republicans WHO
voted for Roosevelt in that election
as against Taft had no intention OF
repudiating their part or encourage
ing the erection of distinct organ
ization to oppose its future nominees
and again assist the Democratic par
ty to power. Since the disasters thaS
have come TO the country through
She Democratic party, the few Re-
publicans remaining with the Pro
gressives have been gradually re-
turning to their former affiliations.
This has been demonstrated by every
election held since 1912, and by par
tye nrollmcnts and primary results.
The recent New York primary has
khown tile strongest adherence, but
even that was pitifully weak com-
pared to an enrolment of 10000 as
against ~ Republican enrolment OF
over. 100000. In 1912 Roosevelt re-
ceived 395, 900 votes. The most pain
full development of the recent prt-
mary is the fact that proved crook
Sulver came very near capturing the
Progressive nomination for COVER
nor
In the recent by-elections for
congress, the Republicans showed al
gain OF $500 in Iowa, the Democrats
"a loss of 1000 and a Progressive loss
of 10000. Republicans gained 81
600 in New, Jersey,a nd the Denloossll
cratic aud Progressive loss was 1900
each. In the congressional clecti0E1
IN this state the Republican v"ts
showed decrease Of 1900 "a
against q Democratic lOsszof $500.
In the Maine election of 1913 the
Democratic loss was $500, the Pro
gressive $500 and the Republican
gain 5000. In South Dakota, which
gave Roosevelt a majority OF 10000.
the Republicans have elected Unit
ed States senator by 5000 majority.
Everywhere there has been an en-
rollment OF the voters the Progress
i've party has exhibited insignili-
cant numbers in relation TO the Re
tpublicans. In the Pennsylvania pri-
rmarics the Progressives cast but 49,
253 votes. The vote for Roosevelt
in 1912 was 444.3S9. The Demo-
i,cratic loss was 100000 and the lte-
publican gain $4,000. In Calif6r,
mia, the home Of the vice presidcn-
Itial candidate on the Roosevelt tick
Yet, the Republican enrolment OK
cceds that Of either the Democrats
,or Progressives by over 100000. In
the Maryland senatorial election tbs
ERcpublican gain was 10000 and the
Progressive loss was $4,000. In til"
Massachusetts primary election, held
last week, an interesting showing
was made in the Sixth congressional
district. where all parties had con-
tests. The Democrats, Republicans.
and progreSsivcs each had two Gait
tlfdates for the nomination. In that
district the vote for congressman
two years ago was 16,91S Republic
can, 9,T04 Democratic. and 1926
Progressive. In the primary election
the vote stood 10000 Republican.
1.175 Democratic. and 512 Progress
sive. Tho primaries in King coun-
~. Washington, in which Seattle Isl
located. showed Republican gain 0f
over 1000 votes over 1912. with al
Democratic loss of nearly 1900.
and u Progressive loss Of over 10
900. King county comprises aobut
one-tnird of the population of Wash
ington.
This is not half the story Of tie
rapid declination Of the Progressive
vogue in the country, but enough
has been told to show that 1t has
lost any virility 1t may have had tw"
years ago. Tie few citations also
show the decadence OF the. Democrats
ic party, brought on, no doubt. by
its obnoxious performances Sincc il
came into power. There are some
spots where the PrOgressivcs haF"
Just enough strength to aid til"
Democratic party IN their minority
victories. In no state has the organ
ixation enough votes to elect any OF
its own candidates Or secure any sort
Of representation to enact any OF it's
principles into legislative statutes.
1T is, therefore, tho party of ahso.
lutte ncgation instead of progression. |
Wheeling lntelligencer.
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