New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-28
CAN'T 60 BACK
Progressives Must Fight So Long
as Old Party Machines Exist.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: I want 70 join the chorus OF those who
are daily writing you letters showing the i'm
possibility of the Progressives returning to
the Republican party or amalgamating with
the Democratic party so long as either OF
those parties is dominated by the system
and personality Of their present respective
machines and leaders.
I had been a good organization man for
more than twenty years when the Chicago
convention was held in 1912. l Joined the
Progressive party only after the most mature
and careful consideration, not because the
Republican National Committee had turned
minority Of that convention into majority,
but because the rules and presidents OF the
party justified the national committee IN
doing what It did, and because such system
was un-Democratic, un-Republican, and could
lead only TO serious damage, il not destruc-
tion o, our liberal institutions II it were
permitted TO continue.
have seen this thing coming for gen.
Grafton, and the reason the break did not
come sooner was because men OF the stamp
of Plat, Croker, Hanna, German and quay
had too good an understanding OF the hign
regard in which the most Of the people held
their freedom OF action and their free insti-
tutions to openly exercise the power Of the
organization committees, county, state and
national. when the question involved was the
control of nominations. II took generation
of leaders OF the Barnes and Murphy brand
TO show the full length to which the AFRO
gance of political power could carry party
boss.
Roth the Democrats ard Republicans in
this state have learned by demonstration in
the last tx or seven years that their party
leaders would rather keep control OF the
party machinery, damaged by defeat, than 70
follow the will Of the party when contrary 70
their own wishes and desires; also, that they
care nothing for the principles for which
their political parties are supposed to stand,
respectively, when placed against their power
to name the party candidates and appointees'
and dominate them after their election or
appointment.
How can any thinking man who left the
Republican or Democratic party in 1917 be
expected to return when the conditions out
lined above have not been changed IN any
substantial degree?
II is said that Progressives are dissaushed
because they have learned, to their sorrow
that the Progressive party has its bosses no
less than did parties from which they Sc
coded. Let me say right here that the man
who expects to get results without a leader
is rainbow chasing. 1t is immaterial whether
the leader of a political party is called by
taJ hnea He must
be in fact, to greater or less extent, a BOSS
in order TO accomplish results.
II seems difficult for people generally to
understand that it is not the boss, as such,
who is a public menace; It is the person in
commanding position in politics, boss or
leader, who is not doing the will Of the
neople. but Is acting against their wishes, or
selfshly, or corruptly.
The Progressive party has these ad-
vantaees over the Democratic and Republican
parties: It is not tied hand and foot to spe-
cial interests or influences, and it is not
bound by precedents against liberal and re-
sponsive party organization. The Pro-
cressive party can get rid Of leader who
is not doing the will of the party. The Re-
publican and Democratic parties can do so
theoret ,ally, but practically nothing but an
upheaval in the party amounting to revolu-
ton can accomplish that result.
Personally, | wish common ground could
be found upon which the Progressive and
Republican parties could amalgamate. wish
this because l believe that the basic ideas
with reference to party control and princi-
pies of government are practically similar in
the rank and Ale Of both these parties. II
only the Republican party could get rid Of a
few undesirables who have been responsible
for most of the Republican troubles of the
last six or eight years, and then show genu-
inc desire to make the local and national Re-
publican organizations more responsive TO
the will of the Republican voters, think that
the wishes of the great mass of voters in the
Republican party would be fulfilled and
there would no longer exist the present pow
erful reasons for the continuation Of the
Progressive party. ANDREW COLVlN.
New York, June 25, 1915.