Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 January 1915 — M'CORMICK BACK IN G. O. P. RANKS [ARTICLE]

M'CORMICK BACK IN G. O. P. RANKS

Progressive National Committeeman Glad to Get Back—i Moose Left in Illinois Legislature.

Springfield, 111, Jan. s.—At- the republican caucus of the state house of representatives here tonight before the opening tomorrow of the Illinois legislature, Medill McCormick, member of the progressive national committee and member of the house, and with H. S. Hicks, of Rockford, the only piogressive in the lower ‘house, announced tbeir intention of voting" with the republicans during the session. *

McCormick, in a speech before the caucus, said: “I am glad to get back to the party of iny fathers” Hicks also -spoke. Both speeches were interrupted by cheering. When the republican represen-, tatives gathered, Representative Atwood introduced a resolution inviting the two progressives to enter the caucus. A few minutes later McCormick and Hicks were ushered in. McCormick’s name was suggested as a republican caucus candidate for the speakership. McCormick is .vice chairman of the 1 progressive national committee. Mr. McCormick made the following statement: •• j j “We have accepted your invitation to enter this caucus because we believe that the assembly cannot be organized and the business of the state cannot be done except through organized political effort We were confronted wTth the two possible courses. We Were not attracted by the Illinois democracy. We have joined with you in an earnest effort to organize the house without delay in the interest of the state.” State Senator George W. Harris, of Chicago, the only, progressive member of the supper house, said: ‘This can mean nothing except the speedy amalgamation of the two parties.”