New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-06
Progressive Leader Tells
Why He Will Support
Hughes's Candidacy.
CALLS 1912 MOVEMENT
MERELY A PROTEST
Believes That Voters Indicated
Clearly They Did Not Wish
New Party.

| we Progresslves stand at the cross
roads. | believe in the character and
courage Of the nominee of the Repub-
Gus example in our history OF the pos
sibilities that American politics may
hold for success in able and unselfsh
public service. For myself, | gladly
enlist with the great majority Of the
Progressives of the nation under the
leadership of Charles Evans Hughes"
That was the valedictory Of Raymond
Robins, of Illinois, who was chairman
Of the Progressive National Conven-
ton Mt Chicago, and is one of the most
conspicuous Progressives Of the coun-
try Mr.. Robins issued a statement
yesterday TO "thc Progressives Of the
country" explaining why he had de-
cided to support the Republican nom
inee and urging all Progressiyes to do
I likewise.
While Mr.. Robins's intention to join
the Hughes forces had been known for
to believe it They fully expected to
have him on the Wilson campaign COM
mittee, which is yet unannounced. 1t
was understood at Democratic National
headquarters that one of the principal
reasons for the delay in announcing the
campaign committee, was to make sure,
il possible, Of Mr. Robins, and one or
two other prominent Progressives who
have not yet announced their stand.
| In his statement Mr.. Robins said in
part:
How the Party Dwindled.
an 1914 we had q real test OF the
| Progressive voters of 1912 and the
willingness Of the American people to
use a new party in the practical solu-
ton Of the problems of our political
life. Generally throughout the nation
/ the Progressive candidates embracing
/ its most gifted leaders and ell gener-
ously supported by Colonel Roosevelt
and, as rule, fairly treated by the
daily press-ran a bad third. Nearly
three-fourths of the Progressive voters
Of 1912 refused 70 support the Pro-
cressive candidates in 1914.
The efforts of Colonel Roosevelt's
friends to secure his nomination by
both the Republican and Progressive
conventions was mere recognition OF
this fact. Colonel Roosevelt's declina-
ton 10 run as the Progressive candi-
date only simply declared his ac-
ceptance of the verdict of the voters
as delivered by them in the primaries
Of 1914 and 1916. The refusal Of the
Progressive National Committee 10
favor a third ticket candidacy did no
more than to make final the judgment
entered by the Progressive voters
themselves.
Hoped Against Hope.
while had hoped against hope that
the extraordinary events in this ep-
ochal hour might override the verdict
of the voters, and under the leadership
Of Colonel Roosevelt the Progressive
party might yet dominate the situation,
nevertheless, when the Progressive con-
vention had adjourned and the entire
situation was considered 1t was mani
fest that the end which the voters had
thO '"b
sive party was dead.
"The national conscience now aroused
must be made effective. 1t must de-
velop a national mind that will COM
prehend our social. industrial and mil
itary unpreparedness. 1t must APP
preciate the domestic injury and ma
tional danger that lie in our lack of
definite foreign policy. II must re-
slize that we will be as unprepared for
peace as we are unprepared for war.
The supreme need in American politi-
cal life is leadership supported by
voting rank and file that will organize
and maintain an adequate. social, IN
dustrial and military preparedness, to-
gether with a comprehensive foreign
policy.
"The first step in social prepared
ness is woman suffrage 20 protect our
children and homes from the incom-
petence, corruption and vice OF our
municipal housekeeping. We need IN
dustrial preparedness, with pro-
eramme Of Standardization in our eco
nomic life. For the workers, we need
living wages, fair hours Of labor, work
shop sanitation and fire protection.
with accident, sickness, old age and un-
employment insurance. Trade agree
ments and arbitration should take the
place of individual exploitation and in
dustrial civil war. For capital, we need
the intelligent cooperation OF govern
ment both at home and abroad.
I'VE need universal service and mill
tary training of the youth of America.
This will do more in one generation TO
break down class and sectional preju-
dice, develop disciplined, vigorous and
efficient citizenship and to unity the
diverse groups of our national life in
a vital Amercanism than all other
forces combined.
Hughes as a Leader.
"The present leader of the Republi-
can party won his reputation as the
progressive Republican Governor OF
New York. lie there proved himself
completely independent Of all boss con-
troll and demonstrated that he will take
advice from many. but dictation from
meme. His words have been made good
bv deeds. His leadership Is the fruit or
Progressive movement in American
rolitics. His nomination was not two
hours old when the most resourceful
general OF the old guard was dropped
overheard into political oblivion. The
forced retirement OF William Barnes,
ir. was the high sign to all who wish
10 know and understand that the con.
troll OF the Republican party had passed
forever from the old guard OF 1872.
Mr.. Hughes's recognition of the Pro-
gressives in the appointment OF his
comnaign committee is guarantee or