Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 March 1914 — PRENDERGAST TO BE PRINCIPAL SPEAKER [ARTICLE]

PRENDERGAST TO BE PRINCIPAL SPEAKER

Man Who Helped Found Progressive Party and Who Nominated Roosevelt Back in Ranks. William A. Prendergast, of. New York, one, of the founders of the progressive party and the man who placed Roosevelt in nomination for the presidency at the progressive convention in Chicago in 1 1912, has accepted an invitation to deliver the principal address at tiie republican state convention on Wednesday, April 22. This announcement was made Thursday by Will H. Hays, republican state chairman, who had just received Mr. Pendergast’s acceptance of the invitation. Chairman Hays was elated over this development, because Mr. Prendergast announced a few months ago that he was through With the progressive party, and that he believed the republican party was the one to be the real opposition party to the democrats. Mr. Prendergast Avas controller of the city oLNew oYrk up to the first of this year. In that office he Avas the financier for a city with a debt of $1,082,000,000, which is more than the debt of the United States. New York lias a daily average expends ture of $950,000. This means that the job of controller is a man’s job. llis first political office was that of register of Kings county. Then he was nominated for . congress and later nominated for controller and he was elected to this office by the largest vote ever- cast for a Candidate in the Bistor-y ot that city. “ He has always held progressive views in regard to public affairs and legislation, and before the split came in the republican party there was a thought that by nominating him for vice president the progressives and the reactionaries could be Avoided together. It Avas planned to have him nominated with President Taft in 1912 instead of Vice President Sherman, but Roosevelt, recognizing his great oratorical powers, picked Prendergast to plac> Roosevelt in nomination at the republican national convention. This delayed honor came Prendergast’s way tAvo months later. He made a great speech and throughout the campaign of that year he was one of the most active supporters of Roosevelt. Last November it became known that he Avas about to leave the progressive party and go back into the republican ranks, where he could still fight for his principles With greater hope of ultimate success. On his return from Europe in November he formally announced his withdrawal from the progressive party, which he had helped to organize. “I considered,” he said In his statement, “that the result of the presidential election made it evident that the third party idea was not acceptable to the American people and that the continuation of the third party movement could have no other effect than the permanent success of the democratic party.” Mr. Prendergast said he still believed in progressive principals, although he was out of sympathy Avith the course of the party. “I believe there must come an amalgamation of interests on the part of republicans and progressives,” he said. “The time has come when there should be less talk about Armageddon and more thought for the future of our own United States. I believe there must come an amalgamation of interests upon tlfe part of republicans, and progressives. The movement for the accomplishment of this purpose must be started noAv in preparation for next year’s congerssional elec tion. “Some people imagine progressiveism consists in shouting ‘Onward, Christian Soldier,’ and prattling about ‘social justice.’ Many of the progressive leaders dance Avith joy over election returns that indicate what—that their party has been successful? No, simply that the republican party has lost. “I have never had any patience with the vindictive policy that has unquestionably animated many of the leaders of the progressive organization. They have endeavored to <*et up the idea that progressiveism really constitutes a vendetta against the republican party. "The people are best goverened when the margins of strength of the two dominant parties are slight. No one will dispute that the republican party presents today

the most cohesive, effective fighting force with which to combat the democratic partq.” The announcement that Mr. Pren dergast will be the headline speaker at the republican state convention is regarded by Chairman Hays

as meaning that Tomlinson hall will be filled to the roof, for thousands of people from over the state will wish to hear him. Mr. Prendergast will discuss national issues and ■state issues will be handled by another speaker yet to be chosen.