Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 55, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 March 1916 — URGES PROGRESSIVES TO FALL IN LINE [ARTICLE]

URGES PROGRESSIVES TO FALL IN LINE

Chairman Hays of Republican State Committlee Wants Full Response At the Coming Primary. Indianapolis, March 3.—At the close of the last meeting of the present republican state centrall committee here today a statement was given out by Chairman Will H. Hays and Sec. L. W. Henley, which follows, in part:

“It is our most earnest desire that all republicans and former progressives who are now with us participate in this primary. This is of the very greatest importance in order that our nominees may unquestionably be the real choice of the party membership. It is our purpose again to reiterate the often expressed wish and most sincere desire that all those who will affiliate with us this fall, join now in the selection of the candidates. “It is our opinion that these men have an entirely legal right so to do. Thousands upon thousands are planning to do this and no machinations of the opposition can prevent it. This committee has full konwledge that no republicans will challenge such men. They; full participation now will guarantee to them their full satisfaction with and faith in the candidates selected. Thp solution of the entire matter is still a question of patriotism, and the duty of all those well wishers of good government who believe in republican principles is now to join in this great party activity and continue hand in hand until we move to the complete victory in November, which is so vital for the country’s welfare.”

The statement was prompted largely by the information that efforts are being made by members to keep progressives and former members of that party from affiliating with the republicans at the primary next Tuesday. The interpretation of section 10 of the primary law by the supreme court was that a progressive could vote with either of the old parties if no member of the party he desired to affiliate with challenged his vote. The republican state committee takes the position that the progressives have the right to vote with the republicans next Tuesday. It was said today that Chairman Hays and Sec. Henley will have no opposition for chairman' and secretary of the next state committee.