New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-10
WHAT MUST BE DONE
A Progressive View of What Getting
Together" Really Requires.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.

10 the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: The great difficulty with a get-to-
gether proposition between Republicans
and Progressives for 1916 is that Mr.. Nc
Cook, in Saturdays issue of The Tribune,
probably expresses the prevailing senti-
ment of the Republican organization, at
least in this state. when he says; ave Re.
publicans bear no malice and want you
back. But if you will not come, then the
rest of us must just get on without you as
best we can"
/ know one county In this state where
there has been q genuine as distinguis he'd
from an advertised Republican, disintegra-
ton Of the Progressive party.
In that county there was a reorganization
of the Republican organization after 1912,
in the course of which the old "stand-p pat"
leaders were permanently and effectualy
retired. The new county chairman refused
to assist the individual committeeman to
election on the committee. When they
came TO him he told them to 90 and get
their petitions signed and get into the pr-
maries. and that whoever was elected at
the primaries would be recognized as rep
resenting the district
When the committee met he told them
what the business was before the meeting,
explained fully the circumstances, political
or otherwise, surrounding the various mat
ters, and told the committee he wanted It
TO decide the matters. and that whatever
decision it came to he would endeavor to
carry it out
He said to me in private conversation
that he considered his duties as chairman
discharged if he communicated TO the com
mittee, and through the committee to the
party in the various districts, all matters
political affecting county affairs which
could properly be made public, and then
carried out as far as possible, the wishes
Of the party. "Of course" he said, 81 try
to see that the party doesn't do foolish
things, and am always ready to consult or
advise with all Republicans"
Although rated normally as Democratic,
this county was carried by the Republicans
easily in 1914. In 1913 the Progressiyes
had a good, tight little organization and
some Of the best men in the county with
them, and cast nearly 1000 votes. In 1914
the Progressive party cast less than 200
votes
This incident In this one little county is
an excellent demonstration of the situation
in tie state and nation. The Republican
party must do more than wish back" the
Progresslves if any get-together arrange
ment is to be made to elect, in 1916, a
President who will advocate legislation to
better business conditions, and who will
again put this country on the map among
the nations Of the world.
We ProgreSsives think that we are prettv
good citizens. and we want 10 helm and not
hinder better government, but we cannot
see our way clear TO accepting an invita-
tion such as extended in Mr. McCook's let
ter, and our candidates had nearly l 900 900
votes in 1914. according to 1.-THE New York
/ Times"
II the Republican National Committee
will voluntarily and in good faith adopt a
resolution, without equivocaton, declaring
that delegates selected TO the national con
vention under state statutes shall be seated
upon presentation OF proper credentials
showing their election or appointment in
accordance with such law, and providing in
cases where there is no primary law for
national delegates a contest shall be deter
mined in a fair and judicial manner and
by committee on Which the sitting and
contesting delegation shall have equal rep
Iesentation, with right of appeal by either
side unless the contest is decided by a
unanimous vote of the committee having it
in charge-if the Republican National Com
/ mittee will do something of this sort Il am
only speaking generally. anything which
| liberalizes the national convention work