THE BEGINNING OF A GREAT MOVEMENT
Follette, Robert M. La
The Beginning of a Great Movement Address Before the Wisconsin Legislature, Announcing the Formation of the National Progressive Republican League By ROBERT M. LA FOLLETTE YOUR EXCELLENCY THE...
...But here in Wisconsin I think we are ready to take the next important advance, not to supplant representative government, not to destroy a representative form of government but to make everlastingly secure republican government and representative government: to make the servants of the public its real servants...
...They justified confidence in the wisdom and intelligence and collective judgment of the voters of Wisconsin...
...E. A. Morse, Wisconsin...
...Frank L. Ding-ley, Maine (the brother of Governor Dingley and former congressman and the most thorough-going progressive in the state of Maine, with reference not only to the tariff, but everything else as well—the world do move...
...I think the energies of this league can be expended in other states, like Illinois and Ohio...
...Again the public is admonished that we are dangerous men...
...Here in Wisconsin we must hold the high ground we have gained and advance still farther the standards of public right and human welfare...
...The real cure for the ills of democracy is more democracy...
...George W. Norris, Nebraska...
...Cooperating with him are state officers of rare character and ability, inspired by the same ideals of devotion to the public service...
...Minnesota...
...Both literature and speakers are at the command of those who desire to take up any one of these propositions, feeling that they are ready for it, and that the people of their states are ready for it, for the purpose of impressing it upon the legislature now in session...
...We, the vndersigned, associate ourselves together, as the National Progressive Republican League...
...It is provided in the constitution that no other propositions and no other political activities shall be taken up or engaged in by this progressive league excepting the five propositions which I have read to you...
...I pause on this important occasion to give special emphasis to this event because I believe that it is to be significant in the history of .our government...
...Chase S. Osborn, Michigan...
...S. Loftus, Minnesota...
...Literature dealing with these great problems will be furnished...
...These names do not fix the limitation of its membership...
...Robert M. La Follette, Wisconsin...
...second, direct primaries for the nomination of all elective officials...
...First Vice President, Representative GEORGE W. NORRIS, Nebraska...
...Expert commissions are demanded wherever technical knowledge and special training and expert investigation are required, before the law can be intelligently administered...
...CHARLES R. CRANE, Chicago...
...Our pocial and industrial life grows daily more and more complex...
...E. H. Madison, Kansas...
...Speakers of national reputation stand ready to go out at a moment's notice in response to the call of the progressives of any state...
...The names recorded here are a guarantee that this is an earnest movement...
...I read the National Progressive Republican League's declaration of principles...
...It is an old device of the special interests which thrive in exploiting the public, to warn against the dangers of the commission form of government, but I say to you that so long as the commission is the creature of the legislature, subject to prompt control or abolition, we need not be alarmed by the warning of selfish interests...
...Frederic C. Howe, New York...
...Francis E. McGovern, Wisconsin...
...it is a permanent organization that will continue its work until the five principles enunciated in its declarations and in its program are written into the laws of the states and the country...
...William Kent (congressman-elect), California...
...In other words, the men who have gathered together to make this organization are set upon one thing and one thing only, and that is to put into the hands of the people of every state, in so far as their aid will be acceptable, the tools, the instruments, the machinery of democracy, so that the people shall control and be supreme...
...Senator Bourne's Statement THE declaration of principles of the National Progressive Republican League speaks for itself...
...It matters little who conceived and defined the progressive laws of Wisconsin...
...Let no specious argument deflect you from the course which you here mark—a course in which our beloved state has already won pre-eminent distinction...
...William C. Cary, Wisconsin...
...This you will achieve when you redeem every pledge made in the platform...
...The record of the years that we have striven together is not without its share of human error...
...Norris Brown, Nebraska...
...It has been the subject of long consideration...
...fourth, amendment to state constitutions providing for the initiative, referendum and recall...
...In the beginning, our program of legislation was viewed with alarm and denounced as visionary, extreme, radical, and a menace to capital and to business interests...
...Today, the justice, the wisdom, the economic soundness of every Wisconsin law to which the progressive movement gave being, has conquered opposition and compelled approval in every enlightened commonwealth in America, and even in some portions of New England...
...We propose to make government by the people, real representative government, secure for all time by constitutional amendment...
...fifth, a thorough-going corrupt practices act...
...They are to be trusted...
...Representative E. H. HUBBARD, Iowa...
...and the president, vice presidents and treasurer, members ex-officio...
...C. A. Lindbergh, Minnesota...
...But with you, gentlemen of this legislature,—strong, earnest, courageous, progressive, incorruptible in a time when big money was easy and the foundations of integrity all around us seemed to be crumbling.—with you, gentlemen, rests the power, with you the responsibility, with you the privilege of making this the most memorable legislative session in the history of this or any sister state...
...No, gentlemen of the legislature, I do not fear for Wisconsin now...
...Senator JOSEPH L. BRISTOW, Kansas...
...The League will co-operate with progressives in the several states, and wherever acceptable, will render assistance in promoting the organization of state leagues...
...It has its valuable lesson for us all...
...But that long contest, with its defeats and its victories, with its concrete issues, timed to meet an urgent present need, each economically sound, each vitalized with the old principle of equal rights for all,—that long contest trained the citizens of Wisconsin to a high degree of indepenaent thinking and renewed devotion to fundamental democracy found nowhere else within the limits of our country...
...I might say more upon this theme, but service is the best expression of my perfect appreciation of your confidence...
...Charles R. Crane, Illinois...
...This is evidenced by the long struggle to secure laws, but partially effective, for the control of railway rates and services, the revision of the tariff in the interest of the producer and consumer, statutes dealing with trusts and combinations, based on sound economic principles as applied to modern industrial and commercial conditions, a wise, comprehensive and impartial reconstruction of banking and monetary laws, the conservation of coal, oil, gas, timber, water-powers, and other natural resources belonging to the people, and indeed for the enactment of all legislation solely for the common good...
...GEORGE L. RECORD, New Jersey...
...necessity...
...It has been my limited experience in something like a quarter of a century of public life that the people are the conservative body of this country...
...Again our action is viewed with alarm...
...You will be warned and importuned at this session of the legislature that there is grave danger that Wisconsin government may become a government by commission...
...G. N. Haugen, Iowa...
...If constitutional obstacles are encountered, constitutions will be amended...
...William Allen White, Kansas...
...Mil-Ions of dollars were sacrificed to the public in this delay...
...Just in proportion as Popular government has in certain states superseded the delegate convention system, and the people have assumed control of the machinery of government, has government become responsive to the popular will, and progressive legislation been secured...
...This government is to be saved in a rational and in a perfectly conservative way to the people...
...E. H. Hubbard, Iowa...
...It is organized, not for this year alone, nor for next year...
...His first state paper dealing with progressive policies is a pledge of real statesmanship in administration...
...Governors: Chester H. Aldrich, Nebraska...
...This composite judgment is always safer and wiser and stronger and more unselfish than the judgment of any one individual mind...
...James R. Garfield, Ohio...
...Wisconsin's Leadersnip THE NATION has profited by Wisconsin's civic evolution...
...This document was sent to only a limited number of men— sufficient to perfect a national organization...
...GIFFORD PINCHOT, Pennsylvania...
...They were the subject of petition, and convention endorsement, and platform declaration for years before the law-making power would give heed...
...We have a governor seasoned in long public service against corruption on the part of special interests and bi-partisan organizations...
...Albert J. Beveridge, Indiana...
...They were thoroughly well understood, and urgently demanded by an overwhelming majority of the people before they were enacted...
...The Beginning of a Great Movement Address Before the Wisconsin Legislature, Announcing the Formation of the National Progressive Republican League By ROBERT M. LA FOLLETTE YOUR EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR OF WISCONSIN, Lieutenant Governor Morris, Speaker Ingram, Gentlemen of the Wisconsin Legislature in Joint Convention Assembled, Fellow Citizens, Ladies and Gentlemen: Advised of the action of the legislature of Wisconsin, I come before you to say that I am deeply grateful to the people of Wisconsin and to you, their representatives, for the distinguished honor which you bestow in again electing me to the United States Senate...
...On Saturday, January 21, 1911, there gathered at my home in Washington, D. C, a group of men for the purpose of organizing a National Progressive Republican League...
...This occasion and your faces revive memories full of sacrifice and loyalty to the common good and general welfare, to promote which governments are ordained...
...not in part but to the last line, not in letter but in spirit...
...Gif-ford Pinchot, Pennsylvania...
...The membership will now be rapidly extended in every state, east and west and north and south...
...Representative-elect WILLIAM KENT, California...
...Under existing conditions legislation in the public interest has been baffled and defeated...
...Second Vice President, Governor CHASE S. OSBORN, Michigan...
...Wisconsin Shall Advance IFEEL here in Wisconsin that you will take care of it yourselves...
...They were denied favorable consideration again and again by the legislature...
...A. J. Gronna, N. Dakota...
...Albert B. Cummins, Iowa...
...Louis D. Bran-deis, Massachusetts...
...Joseph M. Carey, Wyoming...
...But out of all that experience comes the lesson which we should heed today...
...W. S. U'Ren, Oregon...
...In these days when "jackpot" politicians control great empire states, I want to say to you that the people of this country are aroused to sober, serious thinking and to the formation of patriotic resolutions that will not be thwarted or balked by any obstacles...
...The enactment of legislation carrying out the program is its sole aim and purpose, and it stands ready, whenever acceptable, to aid and assist Democratic as well as Republican legislatures to secure such legislation...
...Gilbert E, Roe, New York...
...William L. La Follette (congressman-elect), Washington...
...Patriotic men who have no personal ambitions to gratify, who care for nothing but the public good, will subscribe whatever is necessary in the way of expenditure to make this progressive movement practical, to render it effective in every section of the United States...
...John M. Nelson, Wisconsin...
...third, the direct election of delegates to National Conventions with opportunity for the voter to express his choice for President and Vice-President...
...I pause here to interject this...
...Executive Committee—Senator MOSES E. CLAPP, Minnesota...
...Victor Mur-dock, Kansas...
...Moses E. Clapp...
...I want to read to this distinguished gathering here today the declaration of principles subscribed to by the few who could be communicated with up to the hour when the organization was completed...
...Miles Poindexter, Washington...
...Treasurer...
...Representative IRVINE L. LENROOT, Wisconsin...
...W. R. Stubbs, Kansas...
...I believe, gentlemen of the Wisconsin legislature and fellow citizens of Wisconsin, that day marks the beginning of a movement that shall bring government back completely to the people of every commonwealth in the United States...
...The formation of this National Progressive Republican League has not been hasty...
...E. Clarence Jones, New York...
...Joseph M. Dixon, Montana...
...It follows that government, which exists only to promote human welfare must likewise grow more complex...
...On the 21st day of January, this month, there assembled thorough-going progressive Republicans in the city of Washington, who subscribed to this declaration and dedicated their best efforts to the advancement of the principles here embodied...
...And to that service, solely in the public interest, I pledge all I have to give...
...Merle D. Vincent, Colorado...
...But, gentlemen, the long struggle in Wisconsin should not be forgotten...
...Whatever may befall this movement to make government in each state and in the nation truly representative of the people, whatever obstacles may be encountered in the construction of constitutions, I predict here today that there is nothing that will be permitted to stand between the people of this country and their absolute control of their own government...
...James A. Peterson, Minnesota...
...I think I might venture to ask your time to read to you the names of the little group who have perfected this organization...
...Hiram W. Johnson, California...
...To this end Officers of the League President, Senator JONATHAN BOURNE, Jr., Oregon...
...Ray Stannard Baker, Massachusetts...
...They have been betrayed by their representatives again and again...
...Whenever requested by any progressive state league or by progressive leaders in state legislatures, the National Progressive Republican League will aid in the preparation of appropriate bills and resolutions, and will furnish speakers and literature in support of legislative action upon the propositions enumerated in the five numbered paragraphs set forth in the foregoing Declaration of Principles...
...The election of a United States senator is but an incident in the important work to be performed...
...The people have never failed in any great crisis in our history...
...Expert knowledge in the Framing of legislation and in the administration of the laws becomes more and more a public (Continued on page 12...
...In this league at the present time are the following thoroughgoing progressives who are members of Congress: Henry Allen Cooper, Wisconsin...
...Francis J. Heney, California...
...These great statutes in every essential principle were, in advance of enactment, the product of a slowly formed and well considered public opinion...
...It is proposed to extend it into every state in the union...
...it advocates: first, the election of the United State Senators by direct vote of the people...
...How the League Will Help THE CONSTITUTION of this league makes wise provision against making the League an instrument to further the political ambitions of any man or any set of men...
...I know that the state was never better prepared to press forward...
...Now we propose to make these great statutes forever safe from assault...
...Hugh T. Halbert, Minnesota...
...Joseph L. Bristow, Kansas...
...Amos Pinchot, New York...
...Make no mistake...
...While its membership is confined to those who believe that the Republican party, represented by progressive Republicans, offers the most encouragement for the establishment of these principles, there is no purpose to make it a political organization in the sense of promoting the political fortunes of any man or men...
...Fred S. Jackson (congressman-elect), Kansas...
...The Progressive Republican League believes that popular government is fundamental to all other questions...
...The real danger to democracy lies not in the ignorance or want of patriotism of the people, but in the corrupting influence of powerful business organizations upon the representatives of the people...
...Other signers: Alfred L. Baker, Illinois...
...C. R. Davis, Minnesota...
...In this organization at its inception are senators: Jonathan Bourne, Jr., Oregon...
...Irvine L. Lenroot, Wisconsin...
...Popular government in America has been thwarted, and progressive legislation strangled by the special interests which control caucuses, delegates, conventions, and party organizations, and through control of the machinery of government, dictate nominations and platforms, elect administrations, legislatures, representatives in Congress and United States Senators, and control cabinet officers...
...The object of the League is the promotion of popular government and progressive legislation...
...The National Progressive Republican League TO THAT END thorough-going progressives are organizing nationally to strengthen representative government by helping to give the people a more direct control over their public servants...
...Whatever this organisation can do in the states where its services are required and where its services are acceptable to the progressives, it stands ready to do...
Vol. 3 • February 1911 • No. 5
