The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-09-17

blinded many sincere -progreSstveS tc
this fact and led them into such a
competition for delegates as by its
very nature gave the lie to the de.
clared purposes Of our long cam
paign. The fair prospect of victory
was their undoing.
When the convention ended in
Roosevelt's defeat, I could not fol
low the reasoning that led to forma-
ton of the short-lived third party to
carry on his candidacy.
I had fought within the Republic.
an party for the advancement OF
progressive principles longer, per.
haps, than any other man. I had
witnessed the steady advancement
of those principles.
In a large number Of Republican
States her had been enacted pro.
gressive statutes based on scientific
research which had reconstructed
State government, vitalizing it with
human interest. There were Legis.
latures to elect, to carry forward
this and other creative work.
There were progressive Republic.
an Governors and State officers to
elect, to administer and safeguard
thesE statutes and lead the way
along advancing lines. In Congress
th9 progressive Republicans had
furnished the only consistent pro.
gressive program of legislation. This
work had to be continued.
1t was my contention that this
great constructive work, in State anC
national government, the result OF
years of patient and intelligent eff
fort within the Republican party
should not be imperiled; that the cleo
ton of progressive Republican Gov
errors, legislators, Congressman anC
Senators should not be jeopardizec
by an effort to form a new party. Il
was clear to me that the highest
obligation Of real progressive Repub
Leans in every State was to main.
tain their organization and continue
to fight within the lines of the Re
publican party for progressive prin
ciples, policies and candidates.
1 felt no aid or encouragement
should be given to a third party plar
that would divide the progressive
vote and destroy the progressive Re
publican movement; that no breal
should be permitted in the progress
sive ranks that would endanger the
election of any true progressive Re
publican anywhere; that every effort
should be put forth to increase the
number of thorough-going progress
sive Republicans in the Senate anC
House; hat election OF a strong body
of progressive Republicans in both
branches Of Congress might enable
them to hold the balance OF power
in legislation; hat that balance
would serve as a check-up on any
President, il reactionary. and, If pro.
gressive, would aid him TO wiring
from reactionary opposition in both
Houses legislation to protect public
interest.
Stayed in Party
For these reasons l decided to re
main in the Republican party at
that time. l kept myself free to de
nounce its representatives should
they betray public interest.
l refused TO be bound by its &C
ton whenever It should fail OF its
duty to the country. l was deter
mined to do all in my power to re
atorc it 10 the high place in the
service and confidence and affection
Of the American people. which it
held when 1t was the party OF Abra-
ham Lincoln.
II 1t should fail to become thor
oughly progressive as a national
party, I reserved the right to take
such further action as should seem
10 serve best the interests OF the
country.
Copyright. 1924. NEA Service, Incl
With the above installment. the
special newspaper version Of Rob
crt NJ. La Follottes autobiography
comes to a close.
Beginning tomorrow the Indian
apolis Times viii present a series Of
ten special articles by Senator La
Toilette. dealing with the outstand-
ing events Of his life in the past
twelve years.