Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 60, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 October 1912 — Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 [ADVERTISEMENT]

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Mich., long time socialist leader and orator, a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and prominent in the order, appeared at Indiana state headquarters and offered his services as a campaign orator for the Progressive party cause. Then there is the announcement that Lejon Sanders, head of a great organization of Jewish citizens, is out in suport oi Roosevelt and the Progressive cause. The important I and notable individual accessions are many, but they are important Only as marking the groundswell trend of the day. The real important fact is • the muster of the rank and file under ' the Progressive banner in the precincts, in the townships, in the counties and in the cities.

Progressivism Is Denied. The great growth of the Progressive movement shows itself alike in the city and country. Out in the state the old party men say there is no Progressivism in Indianapolis and other places, though there is plenty of it in the rural lanes. When they reach the cities these same old party men wag their heads and assert that I there is a lot of Progressivism in the cities but that the farmers are standpat. The fact is, the Progressive party draws strength equally from all de- , cent elements and its appeals is as | wide as brotherhood. This is the ; big reason why the two old parties ! and their organizations are not able to meet the-Progressive wave or impede its sweep. In the matter of registration the ; Progressive party has had all the i best of it. Old party men, who are in a position to know, declare that nearly 150,000 Indiana voters will lose their votes this year because they failed, refused or neglected to register. This statement by old party workers confirms absolutely the reports made by Progressive workers, and | it is especially significant that whereas the Progressives registered practically every Progressive convert, the old party organizations fel down miserably in getting their voters to register in most of the state. Some Democrats Apathetic. There are spots where tjie Demoi crats organized with some effectiveness and got their voters registered. I But there also are places where the 1 Democrats, with all their organized | effort and sinews of war, were not able to induce apathetic Democrats to heed the call of Taggart. Many thousands of Republicans disgusted by the outlook and revolting against the Republican organization in * Indiana as it is now controlled, decided to make their silent protest felt bj refusing to have any part in the election of 191?. Over the state, from precinct to precinct, the story ran much the same, ten or more men to a precinct in i each old party refusing .to register and thus losing their chance to vote.

Men of the Progressive tendencies have been easy to induce to register. The disgusted standpat element and the apathetic Democratic crowd have been shy of registration. This means full ranks for the Progressives and decidedly depleted batallions for the two old parties. Democrat Changes Faith. As showing the trend, one worker told of a young Democrat who had announced his changre from Wilson .and Ralston to Roosevelt and Beveridge. “I have come all the way,” he said, “I have studied all the platforms. I find the Progressive platform fills modern requirements and that it proposes continued evolution to still better things, with immeasurable good in the immediate plans proposed. I have witheld my support because of personal inclinations. I have decided that the issue is entirely too big to permit any persona! inclinations to influence “p liitical action.”

The same worker, leaving this young democrat turned Progressive, stepped on board a train and greet;ed the railway conductor. This con/ductoir had been a strong Taft up to a few weeks ago. “I’m for Roosevelt and Beveridge,” he announced when questioned by the Progressive worker, who was an old acquaintance. Same Sentiment in State. And this is the way it goes the state over and the country oiver. I Men who have hesitated for any rea- ’ son are deciding now for progress , and lighting leadership. A young democrat of Indianapolis : stopped a Progressive worker a day I or two ago to “get the dope” as he I said. “I am going to vote for Bever-