New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-01
WHY WE ARE STILL PRoGREssIVEs'
An Interesting Statement by Linden Bates
Jr., Progressive County Chairman.


To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: We arc still Progressives because
we believe that the policies Of the Progress
sve party are right.
L is right that government should be
made more responsive 70 popular demand
rather than hedged about so as 20 balk and
DELAY constructive action and put pre-
MUM upon mere negation. Our popular
sovereignty programme, o. direct nomlns-
tions, direct legislation, simplfcatton OF
constitutional amendment. concentration OF
executive authority and responsibility, Is
right and necessary.
II is right that workmen's compensate
for industrial injuries laws against child
labor laws limiting the hours Of work Of
women and other social legislation should
be enacted in nation wide statutes-not IN
piecemeal confusion By different states, put
ting the manufacturers IN white states
into unfair competition with their rivals.
i Is right that nationwide regulation
should by some saner system than tntermit-
tent lawsuits preserve the economic advsn-
tages OF big business, as well as the COM
petitive rights Of small business and the
interests Of the great mass o. consumers.
It ia right that social problems, such as
unemployment. should be grappled with ma
tionally, as Germany has done, by great
systems OF labor exchanges and BIZ the lay
ing out Of useful public works wears ahead
against DAYS OF depression and idleness
Joseph in Egypt, with his grain boarded
during the seven fat years, had more
statesmanlike view OF organizing society
than our snortsighted rulers, who treat
With bundle days" and municipal lodging
houses such social cancers as 100000 men
out of work and being stamped down into
beggary, the workhouse and Potter's Field.
We know that where these great con-
structiye policies are supremely needed
nothing save inacton. tempered by sue
ccssion Of spasmodic exDedients can be er-
pccted from the Democratic party. fettered
by It's outwcrn states rights traditions, or
from the Republican party, garrisoned, de-
snite It's progressive factions, by men ard
influences entirely out of sympathy with
the social reforms which we deem funds-
mental
We are still Progresslves because We
heartily distrust the cynicay reactionary
leaders that dominate the Republican party
ana because We have sought IN vain IN the
Democratic party the constructive states
nGnship that the situation demands.
We are still Progressiyes because by
maintaining strong organization We can
bring pressure upon the other parties to
nominate better men and stand for better
measures than they would II there existed
no organized body to instiH n wholesome
fear
When the Republican gentlemen who
during his term as Governor, fought
Charles I. Hughes By svery means that
malice could devise or hatred Invent now
point 10 him as their ideal Republican il
ellis more plainly than words the utility OF
the Progressives
When the Democratic Assemblymen. who
once toined the Republican BLACK Horse
cavalry 10 will every liberal n1easur. pro
posed At Albany, themselves pass q direct
primary and a Massachusetts ballot bill no
greater tribute can be paid 70 the Progress
sives
We are still Progressives because IN
America to-day Theodore Roosevelt is the
leader most worthy Of being followed: and
IN this world crisis an emergency NAV arise
IN which o1r strongest man will be called
upon 20 take the helm.
We are still Progressives because ". a.,
the organization are trustees not alone 70,
our enrolled voters. but for those convinced
frogressiyes who, believing in our nrinci-
pies, voted for temporary reasons with
other parties. but still look 70 us for Leader
ship. In defeat or in victory we have our
responsibility 20 those who believed IN No
And the Lord hates a duitterl
We are still Progressiv.s b.e.u.s
whether We as individual. survive or ner-
ish politically, nevertheless. By .,sni;rg
stanchly up >or the principles In Witch 70
believe, ". are advancing the time when
these will triumph
Truth crushed 70 earth will rise again.
The eternal years 81 God are hers
While error, wounded. writhe, IN nd,
And dies among her vorshippers"
New York, Feb "a, 1915.