Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-10-22
Is q Reform Needed.

Of all the farces and humbugs ever
Witnessed IN Wisconsin politics, the
SO called Reform movement, inaugural
ed in this city, on September 23d and
24th, is the chief. In the first place
what is there in the Legislative, Judi
cial or Administrative Departments
OF our State Government that needs
reforming to such degree as to call
for new party to accomplish the re-
suit ? Where has there been pecula-
tion or fraud, or reck less or criminal
extravaganza? Where is there one
instance in which the people OF the
State have. made o demand for mea-
sures Legislative or administrative that
the party la power has ignored or re-
fused to grant? Where is TO be found
State tax that was peculiarly burden
some or out OF proportion to the work
accomplished by it? Has the Repub-
lican party shown any disposition know
inely to put corrupt men in Office or
keep them in
These questions have not been, and
can not truthfuIly be answered in such
a way as TO show that there is any ne
cessity for Reform party or a Re
form" ticket. Since the Republican
party has been fully in power in this
State, there has never been any case
of malfeasance In State office, but
those occupying them have, almost
without exception, been men of capa-
biEty and integrity. No stain has
been brought upon the State by cor
rupt, reckless or notoriously hurtful
legislation. A puror or generally more
crediodle State, administrator than
oars has 6eea for the last dozen gears
during mhich the Republican party
has had control Of 1t, can not be point
ed out az eng cf the other States of
| thas Union. A charge of corruption
or malfeasance has seldom been made
against it blythe most reckless of the
opposition organs, and none has been
sustained. Can the organs or orators
Of the democratic party, which form
the bulk Of this new Reform" organi.
zation, trathfully say the same of theil
Administration Of our State affairs
They know, and the people know tina,
| they can not.
What absardity then, for this par.
ty, whose old name has become sc
odious that it is ashamed of it, and
seeks to escape its record by hiding
under a new one, to come forward now
and declare that reform is needed
in our State administration, and that
it is the party to work that reform
The spokesmen Of this new fedged
reform party are loud In their denun.
citation Of monopolies and the "exor
tions' Of railroad companies, yet tht
leaders Of this party hove alaoays been
found on the side of the naonopohes
when they have been in the Legisla
sure. and not lew Of them are now
and have been for years, interested al
stockholders or officers or employees OF
agents OF railroads. IF the farmers
have cause for complaint against the
railroad companies and demand reforms
surely these are not the men to righ
their a0roags or aoorh the reforms
Certainly The leading democrats of the
State, who now, by most wonderful
transformation, Lave become "refor
mers," have never distinguished them
selves as the champions Of farmers
rights or Of restricting the railroad
corporations by legislative enactment
What cool efrontery is it for them t.
come forward now aad claim power or
the score OF being. the farmers friends
AS TO the relative economy of Re
publican and Democratic reform ad
ministrations We state that for some
years past the Lax in this city has beer
two per cent. Of the valuation, and O
this sum about three .fourths IS foi
city purposes olone-that is the Cit,
tax is to the State tax as three to one
or nearly SO. The State tax is the lie
vy.of o Republican administrations
the city tax, Of a Democratic reform
one DO the people Of this State wan
sneh 'Freforna" as this suggests ? I
they DO they will vote for the ticke
headed by Taylor and supported b,
such oxponents OF virtue and reform
as the Milwaukee Neaos-Ni3uauA;e
| Wisconsin.
Has RESUMED .--Coolbaugh' s Uni
on National Bank Of Chicago has re
sumed business, the Comptroller Of th
! currency having notified the director