The Hartford republican., 1915-06-25

His resignation was announced in a
letter which states that the main
tenance of Progressive organization
in Kentucky can only mean the cleo
tion of a democratic State ticket and
contribute indirectly to the success of
the Democratic national ticket in
1916, neither of which conditions Mr..
Bird desires to see. The letter in
full to State Chairman M. j. Holt
follows:
Mr.. Birds Letter
Williamsburg, KY, June 8, 1915.
Hon. M. ]. Holt, Chairman, Louis
vile, Kentucky.
Dear Sir:-I hereby tender my re-
signatiOn as a member of the Pro-
gressive State Executive Committee
for the Eleventh district. In taking
this step desire to say that / am
not deserting the principles for
which the Progressive party was
brought into existence and for which
ii stands. had hoped, after the un-
fortunate split in the Republican par
ty at Chicago in 1912 and in view
of the result of the election that
year, with the platform and princi
Piles adopted by the Progressive par
ty, that the Progressive party would
supplant the Republican party. In
other words l hoped to see the Re-
publican party converted into the
Progressive party.
was willing to see that done be-
cause it looked as il that was the
only way the party could be redeem
ed from the corrupt leadership which
had brought it into disrepute, l must
say however, that my hopes for such
a convention were shattered by the
result of the 1914 election in Penn
sylvania, Illinois and Other Progress
sive States, as we'll as in Kentucky.
The result of that election indicated
cOnclusively to me that the voters Of
the country had determined to rid
themselves of Democratic rule, and
to make sure of it, that they were
willing to battle over the issues un-
der the banner of the old party.
must admit, that as a member of the
Progressive party, with my heart in
the cause and hoping for the ascend
ency of my party that the result of
that election was a disappointment
to me insofar as it effected the Pro-
gressive party.
l believe however, in looking
things squarely in the face. AS far
as am concerned personally, / do
not want to waste my vote. 1t looks
as if the tariff will be one of the
leading issue of 1915. Both Pro-
gressive and Republicans believe in
a protective tariff. They differ only
in the manner of handling the ques-
tion. 1t looks now as if the propo-
sition of taking the tariff out of poll
tics and creating tariff commission
as advocated by the Progressives is
going to be adopted by the Republi-
cans. One thing has been demon
strated. That is that the Democratic
of handling the tariff is fail
ure and has proven disastrous.
l do not want to aid, either direct
ly or indirectly. in bringing about
another National Democratic admin
believe for the Progress
sives to run ticket in Kentucky
this year will only aid in the elec-
tion Of another Democratic State ad-
/ am unwilling to be
party to this. The election of the
Democrats in Kentucky this year
would possibly influence in some de-
gree the the election next year. In
view of the existing conditions IL is
my intention, provided the Republi-
cans of Kentucky adopt a progressive
platform. to affiliate with that party
this year. It is with this in view
that l tender my resignation.
Assuring you that It is with keen
regret that feel constrained to sew
Or my connection with your COM
mittee. and believing that the princi-
Pies for which we stand will finally
prevail.
beg to remain,