Fergus County Democrat., 1916-09-21
PR0GRESS|vES
DISSATISFIED
INDEPENDENTS REVOLT AGAINST
HUGHES AND THRON0 70 Z
WILSON'S CAUSE.
RUPTURE IN THE G. O.P. BROADENS

RUPTURE IN THE 6. 0.P. BROADENS
Wilson sentiment among progress
sives and independent republicans
has literally swept the country during
the past week. From Maine to Cali
fornia progressives who originally
bolted the republican party for prin.
ciple, and independent republicans
opposed to the machine bosses within
their own party, have publicly repudi-
ated the reactionary element in con.
troll Of Candidate Hughes presidential
campaign and have enthusiastically
rallied to the Wilson standard.
Many factors occurring within the
past week have materially contributed
to the marked trend to President Will
son. During the week the Associate
committee of progressives, assisting
in the campaign for the reelection of
Wilson and Marshall issued special
message to prOgressives throughout
the country. Their statement of the
issues, written by progressives from
the progressive point of view, Is en-
tilted president Wilson True Pro
gressive."
In their frank talk with fellow pro-
gressives they PROFOUND the pertinent
question:: is It not the duty Of all
prOgressives Of the great 1912 move
ment to support President Wilson as
a prOgressive?" And they conclude by
asking: How can any true progress
sive hesitate to support President
Wilson for reelection in the face of
this impressive and illustrous record
of consistent devotion to the ideals of
the progressive movement"
Below is brief summary of the
more important political events of the
past week. indicating the trend of cur
rent political thought.
California.
The situation In California Is briefly
summed up in a telegram from Fran
els J. Heney, member OF the commit
tee Of progressives cooperating with
the democratic national campaign
commitetee, to Acting Chairman Hale
of the national progressive commit
tee. Mr.. Heney reportas that the de-
lection Of the California progressives
from the Hughes standard is even
greater than was at first anticipated:
He says:
Hughes visit to California. the
cradle of progressivenivism, was &C.
erywhere staged as an affront to pro-
gressives. Cd time leadrs of the re.
dictionary crowd managed his meet.
ings and were at his side on all occa-
sions. Standpat newspapers lauded
his coming as triumph Of the old
guard and praised his speeches. Pro.
gressive leaders were given no recog-
milton and merely pushed into the
background, Hughes solemn silence
apparently giving consent.
Neither has the belated telegram
of congratulation from Candidate
Hughes to Governor Johnson in the
slightest notified California progres,
sives. They point out that the time
for Hughes to have spoken was when
he was in California before the pri.
maries demonstrated the strength of
Governor Johnson and that his tardy
recognition Of Johnson after the lat
ter's victory merely stamps the re-
publican presidential candidate as a
fragrant opportunist Thousands of
Governor Johnson's supporters are for
Wilson.
Idaho's former progressive national
committeeman, Col. James M. 1nger'
soil has repudiated Hughes and
Roosevelt. The statement of the
former progressive national commit
teeman announcing his position said
in part:
quit the colonel after he deserted
our party and requested me to support
Candidate Hughes, who believes in Civ
ing the Standard Oil and all other mon
opolistic combines a free hand. Sc
II our people are really fond of be
ing monopoly robbed they should
speed up and vote for Candidate
Hughes.
Maine.
Theodore Roosevelt's personal ap
peal to Maine progressives to rally tt
the support of the republican presi
Dental candidate was Offset by pub
lie declaration by DR.. E. B. Merrill
of Foxcroft, Maine, one Of the mos
prominent leaders Of tn progressiv,
party in eastern Maine, in favor o
Woodrow Wilson's reelection and il
support of the entire democratic
Maine ticket.
D. Merrill until 1912 was lifelong
ported Mr.. Roosevelt for the presi
dency and two years ago was nom
inee Of the progressive party OF tn
Fourth congressian district for mem
} ber of the house of representatives. Il
part he said:
} AS a progressive ! asked myself
"What is my duty?" II read histor
Alright, no administration since tn
constitution Of the United States wa
approved has written in our statut
laws so many righteous measures t
safeguard justice and to help hu
manity in its upward aspirations an
protect national honor as has this one
and l have heard nothing better pre-
posed as yet by the republican part,
Therefore, consider it my duty an
believe l express the sentiment q
many other progressives, to supper
.. . and vote for in this campaign tn
! democratic nominee in state and n,
tion."
Il Michigan.
il Michigan progressives have orgal
tied a complete state campaign con
l mittee for the reelection OF Wo0dro
n. + t. l. A.