South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-09-18
Mrs. AntoinetteFunR
Stun1ps Robins For
Series of Debates

man Of the progressive national con-
vention OF 1916. now a member OF
Mr.. Hughes campaign committee.
was challenged Saturday 10 a ser
les Of joint debates by his former
cO-worker in the progressive cause,
Mrs. Antoinette Funk, also Of Chi
cago.
The challenge is one that Mr..
Robins CANNOT well ignore. nor can
the republican campaign managers.
Mrs. Funk, a Chicago lawyer of ma
tional prominence. was one OF the
Big Four" progressive leaders Of
Illinois. Few men can equal her in
debate. She has been pitted with
Mr.. Robins in public arguments;
against Jane Adams cnd Prof
Charles +. Merriam. She addressed
a South Bend audience in behalf Of
the progressives at the Elk's temple
here four years ago.
Mrs. Funk became last week a
member of the association commit
tee Of progressives cooperating with
the democratic national campaign
committee. She puts her challenge
10 Mr.. Robins on the high ground
Of public service. asking that her
former associate submit the case of
Wilson vs.. Hughes TO popular jur-
les.
Mrs. Funks letter, delivered to-
day 70 Mr.. Robins. follows:
Dear Mr. Robins:
-Four years ago you and I we're
among the millions Of American
men and women who believed that
the dawn OF a new political day
had come. We called ourselves pro-
gressives and We founded a new
party and named il progressive. That
party is alive in the determination
Of its adherents that it shall not
die and no one who was really a
part of il can ever subscribe 10
another political creed that is me-
in some manner akin 10 IT, The
bonds that were created then can
MT be broken; we were really pro-
gressives in 1912 are prOgressives
now in 1916. The spirit has not
changed-only the outward cover
ing, the matter of name, of associa-
ton or of circumstance.
so ] am writing you from the
vantage point Of our common faith.
You, a hereditary democrat. after
anxious care and thought, have
thrown your lot with the republican
party and have advised the people
of this country that progressives
should follow Mr.. Hughes, the can
didate selected solely by the men
who compose that Invisible govern
ment) against whose insidious OPP
erations the progressive party it
self is a protest.
your responsibility is enormous;
it is cO-extensive with your great
influence. A leader of men with rare
gifts and high ideals. consecrated
and devoted, your judgment will be
accepted and you will be followed
but since you recommend TO US that
we come into the republican fold
much water has flowed under the
bridge, the curtain has been rung UP
disclosing a new scene.
In 1912, endorsing the progress
sive party with my whole heart. I
left behind me a tradition of middle
western and New England republi-
canism and when the end came in
the Auditorium last June. / follow
ed Theodore Roosevelt 10 the door
of the republican camp with faith
that the republican party of 1916
was in somewise different from the
party of 1912 that he ard
YOU and / condemned, and I waited
For a sign that would point the new
way 1t did not come, but events
in their import did
transpire and against my inclina-
tons and traditions and against my
associations and prejudices, / was
forced in honesty TO myself TO admit
that Woodrow Wilson. greater than
his party, leader of his party, had
in large measure kept for the pro-
gressiVes their contract affirmed by
them and entered into with the peo-
pie.
Il am inviting you now. Mr.. |
Robins. 10 join me in a series of
debates. the question 10 be resolved |
and the arrangements to be made
our respective committees;
such debates to be held during this !
it being understood that
the resolution of the question shall |
all matters properly at
issue in the minds of progressives
seeking their political affiliations for |
1916.
in the coming elections our pro-
gressive people hold the casting
vote; no one can predict il with !
certainty. no one can deliver it. but |
IL will be a thoughtful vote; IL will !
be weighed and measured and it is |
reasonable to suppose that progress !
sives will be glad 10 listen 10 those |
who went about four years ago /
their gospel
Many OF our friends. particular |
Is in our home state. are asking for I
of the case in particular |
a discussion of the eIght-hour law. /
Your close and confidential rela- /
tons with those who toll make il 4
Imperative that they clearly under /
stand your view, your objection. and I
it is equally imperative that the 4
of that measure be heard 1
also.
You will agree with me that this /
thoughtful element 10 which we /
have the honor to belong will well I