The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-31
NO COLBY AID FOR
MOOSE DESERTERS
PrOorcssives' Candidate for
Senate Opposes Return to
Republicans.
SEES LIFE YET IN PARTY

In their attempt to shepherd the Pro-
gressives Of this state back into the
Republican party Theodore Douglas
Robinson and Chauncey J. Hamlin will
get no support from Bainbridge Colby.
who was candidate for the United States
Senate last year.
IT do not regard the efforts OF Mr..
Hamlln and Mr.. Robinson to feel their
way back into the Republican party as
OF any particular significance" Mr.. Colby
said Yesterday. "If that's where they
feel they belong. l say let them go. and
say It without any disposition to re-
I sent their action or to criticise II. They
are both good fellows and mean we'll.
think, however, that they have an
unwarranted sense of responsibility in
e~ndeavoring TO force upon their Progress
s,ye party associates their own personal
views.
There In no question but that COM
I pared with the 1912 vote the progressive
party membership has shrunk decidedly.
/ on the other hand. | think there is a
very much larger number than is COM
monty conceded who feel that there is a
distinct need for the party and that IL
/ has "A great and useful work TO do.
AT this time, however. the puolc
| mind is p~reoccupicd with our interna-
tional situation, with the great problems
OF national defence and security and it is
idle to actively agitate for administra-
tive or constitutional reforms. Amid
arms avs are silent.
1.-THE Republican party seems TO me
TO utterly misread the emper OF the
people in %supposing that this preoccu-
patton indicates reaction, and yet IN
some OF the States where the Republi
can PARTY was returned to power In
1914, notably in Massachusetts and pre-
em.nently in New York. .ts leaders seem
TO feel that they can trot out the ex-
1 IRENE reactionary proposals of the pas.
no matter how emphatically these prac-
tees may have been rebuked and re-
) jcctod and find popular favor and ac-
ccptance for them.
1.-THE Constitutional Convention in this
State represt hts to me an abject spec
tacle of narrow. blassed and uninstructed
men, coping In ignorant self-conitdence
with forces that they have neither ine
Information nor understanding to APP
pYeciate.
For a Progressive who knows why
he is a Progressive and why he became
one to select this omen for returning
t. me Republican party is TO me the
height or rather the depth of unrrasJn.
"As "A matter OF fact. ] think that the
conscientious voter in the approaching
Presidential election is not going to be
very powerfully influenced by so-called
party considerations. 1t will he a ques-
ton of what men and measures, ire
spective of party. We. as good Ameri-
cans. hould support"
Progressive leaders say that II the
party is to cut any figure in the loca'
contests throughout tho State this fall
1t must begin preparing for the pri'
maries soon and must decide Immediately
whether or not 1t wants TO stay on the
firing line as a party. The decision vii
undoubtedly be made at the meeting OF
the State committee and county chair.
men at the Hotel Ten Eyck in Albany
mex Friday. Ii is likely that this con
ference will be decisive so far as thu
existence of the party in this State 70!
the rest of this year is concerned.
on Thursday Mr.. Hamlin. who is sup
posed to hold the Erie county brethren
ir the hollow of his hand, will try TO ge'
them to declare for reunion with the
! Republicans AZ a meeting In Buffalo. II
is also expected that Mr.. Robinson wi!
be rounding up his Herkimer county
flock for the same purpose next week
The results of their canvass will be IL
evidence at the Albany gathering or
Friday.