Arizona sentinel Yuma southwest., 1916-03-16

WIT. w. IT. OIlOlCy,
 Yuma, Arizona.
 My Dear Sir:
 The response to the joint letter which Captain J. C Greenways and l sent to the county chairman and leading Progressives throughout Ari- zona, has been very general and results in the unanimous approval>of the suggestion of Capt. J. L. B. Alexander as state chairman of the Pro- gressive party, and, like a good soldier, he has consent ed to act in this capacity
 The political situation na- tionally is most interesting and shows a steady swing of public opinion for our great Progressive leader, Theodore Roosevelt, as the next prcSi- dent of this nation.
 While the reactionary leaders of the Republican party have been working over time to head off this movement, heir efforts are being swept aside by great surge of popular feeling for Colonel Roosevelt. This movement while unorganized, is growing stronger Iaily throughout the country and has title regard to partisanship, but is inspired by the recognition of the people generally that Roosevelt is cur greatest American today and that his iearless character, sturdy American sm and remarkable training make jim the ideal leader for this nation in he trying times now confronting us.
 His unflinching devotion to Pro-
 ressive principles without regard to ts effect on his personal fortune, is Illustrated in the following statement a letter which I have recently re ;eived from him:
 "I am going to stand straight for vhat this country needs. I do not or one single moment believe that the country will turn to me; but I am absolutely certain that it will have turn to the principles 1 am advocat- ng, and that is the vitally important matter"
 It is this resolute independence of ;ol. Roosevelt's and his unflinching .evotion to the things which he be- ieves vital to our country's welfare IS a self-respecting nation, that en- Tears him to the people of this country
 The national conventions of the Re publican and Progressive parties both convene in Chicago on June Eth. The orogressives naturally have but one irst choice-Col Roosevelt-but, if mother man big enough for the vast ask of leading this nation, whose pro
 ressive record was unquestioned, yere favored by the Republicans, the Progressives would be prepared to consider such a candidate favorably, md such would undoubtedly be Col. loosevelt's personal idea.
 The Progressives not only have a
 ational leader, unusually equipped or the presidency, but a definite con- jtructive platform outlined in the ac- ompanying pamphlet, the most inn lortant blanks of which both the Re publican and Democratic parties are Strenuously trying to appropriate
 In the Republican convention there will be strong group of Progressive Republicans actively working for the nomination of Col Roosevelt; a group f reactionaries perfectly willing to end the party again to defeat if they an prevent the nomination of Roose- cit; several favorite son groups, and mother large group uncertain as to heir action but anxious to see how determined the Progressives are to ight good fight through to the very end.
 On this last group, the Progressive onvention with determined men and of standing and real influence, present from every state, with a defi- lite and ringing pro-American plat ,orm, is bound to have an important influence in inducing the members of his group to shake off the reactionary eadership and come out squarely for Roosevelt or some other real Progress tive leader, as the Republican nomi- lee. If this result is accomplished md Progressive leader goes into the presidential race with the vigorous