PROGRESSIVISM IN MINNESOTA (CONCLUDED)
Nash, James Linn
Progressivism in Minnesota By JAMES LINN NASH (Concluded) WITH PROGRESSIVE SENTIMENT thus active throughout the state, only its crystallization into one definite organization was needed and this...
...He has opened headquarters in Minneapolis and is assisting the legislative committee in its work at the State Capitol...
...who places the common welfare above selfish interests, and who does not wish to see the principles for which a Washington fought and a Lincoln gave his life, trampled under foot, and a moneyed oligarchy enthroned in their stead...
...On the evening following the convention, a banquet was held in St...
...This committee has been actively at work during the legislative session and is achieving important results...
...Still, it is much more satisfactory than the first explanation, which was official and at the same time inadequate and more or less absurd...
...Statewide Movement Started INVITATIONS to the convention met with a hearty response and on the day set several hundred delegates assembled in the Lyric Theater in Minneapolis...
...With this machinery in working order, a determined effort will be made to swing Minnesota into the column of the progressive states...
...But the Minnesota progressives are not going to rest content with this...
...Would-be delegates were asked to sign cards stating that they favored— 1. A primary law which would include candidates for all state offices and the United States Senate...
...All emphasized the fact that the progressive Republican movement is an effort to free the Republican party from the control of commercial greed and corporate wealth...
...Paul, the project of a state league was launched...
...With this in view the committee on permanent organization, of which George S. Loftus is chairman, has elected Frank B. Lamson corresponding secretary...
...This platform urged, among other things, the enactment of a state-wide primary law to include United States Senators and delegates to national conventions as well as all state officials, the adoption of the initiative, referendum and recall in state and local governments, the passage of an adequate corrupt practices act, a law prohibiting the watering of stock by public service corporations, the inauguration of state and municipal civil service systems and a public record of the votes cast at all meetings of congressional and legislative committees, recommended tariff revision schedule by schedule, favored the income tax and endorsed the conservation policies of Roosevelt and Pinchot...
...George S. Loftus of Minneapolis was the originator of the idea and on his motion a committee of three was appointed to work out the details of the plan...
...Work for the Future TO PROMOTE the program of reform legislation which it had outlined, the Progressive Republican League of Minnesota elected a legislative committee with Hugh T. Halbert as chairman...
...GIVE US THE FACTS ANOTHER semi-official explanation of the movement of our troops has been given to the public, and it does not appear to have been considered with care...
...At a banquet given in honor of Albert H. Hall after his defeat by Congressman Nye, and attended by progressive Republicans from both Minneapolis and St...
...The movement requires and deserves the support of every Minnesotan who believes in genuine popular government...
...The gathering was enthusiastic and remarkably harmonious...
...Progressivism in Minnesota By JAMES LINN NASH (Concluded) WITH PROGRESSIVE SENTIMENT thus active throughout the state, only its crystallization into one definite organization was needed and this final step followed logically...
...At a conference between this committee and representatives of the Ramsey County Progressive Republican League and the Booster's Club of Stillwater, it was decided to issue a general call for a convention of Progressive Republicans to be held in Minneapolis on January 4. Notice of the convention and its object was sent to every newspaper in the state as well as to a mailing list of several thousand of those known to be in sympathy with progressive principles...
...Stirring addresses were delivered by Senator Miles Poindex-ter who had come from the national capitol as the representative of the progressives in Congress, Hugh T. Halbert, Congressman-elect Sidney M. Anderson and John C. Apple-gate of Cannon Falls, Minn., who presided...
...Paul alderman, presided...
...They propose to maintain a permanent organization and labor steadily for the common good...
...Leavitt Corning, a progressive St...
...They urged that the standard of republicanism be advanced to higher ground and that government of, by and for the people be firmly re-established...
...The time has come for an official explanation that shall really explain, one prepared by the President with the aid of his Cabinet.—The Independent...
...It is the further intention to organize subordinate leagues in every county in Minnesota...
...That this may be accomplished, the League needs financial assistance, able speakers who are ready to give their time and services to the cause, and strong backing from the press...
...Paul...
...The most important work of the convention was the framing and unanimous adoption of a platform designed to embody the principles for which the progressives of Minnesota stood...
...The speeches followed the trend of- those delivered at the convention...
...Senator Poindexter, Congressman Anderson, James Manahan and James A. Peterson of Minneapolis, also spoke...
...2. Constitutional amendments providing for the initiative, referendum and recall...
...Senator Moses E. Clapp of Minnesota delivered the chief speech of the occasion...
...3. A revised and much stronger corrupt practices act...
...The great dining-room of the Ryan Hotel was filled to its capacity...
Vol. 3 • April 1911 • No. 15
