River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1874-06-02
Congressman.

GUS.
As rule political conventions are a
farce; or, what is worse, fraud And
yet the question arises, GLOW shall we
dispense with them?"
La some cases it may be difficult 10
do it, but in others it is easier, cheaper
and better to dispense with these pre-.
liminary ordeals. II is quite enough
for candidate to stand the fiery ordeal
of an election without being subjected
to that of a preliminary convention.
We rather like the idea of independ.
cot candidates free race, and free
fight. 1t is characteristic of western
politicians to be admired rather than
condemned. But what we like still
better, is to see some man brought be-
fore the people as candidate for Office,
by universal consent, and more espec-
tally so where it happens, as it often
does, that some one man is peculiarly
fitted for the position he seeks to occu.
py. We cannot better illustrate our
meaning chan by referring to the re.
election of Judge Humphrey In this
Judicial Circuit.
But" you inquire, show shall that
man be found, aud how brought before
the people?" And right here comes
the difficulty. But how is it, let US in
quire, in case Of convention? In nine
cases out of ten some unknown aspirant
is brought to hight about whom the PEG.
pie know but little, and might better
have known less.
In the first place the town caucuses
are usually meager, and packed in the
interest Of some particular person or
persons. Hence they very seldom ex-
press the real sentiment Of the commun-
ity. Next, the log rolling, wire work
ing and ehicanery of conventions often
defeat the best men, and the voters,
from mere force of habit, fall into party
lines, only because they are compelled
to. But this is not manly indepeu
ence-it is servility. 1t degrades any
man to be thus whipped into the traces
And still you ask us for a better
proposition, aud this you have right
to demand 1t is not enough to find
fault with existing ceremonies unless
we are prepared to present something
that will be an improvement-some.
thing practical, as we'll as practicable.
We are not sure that we can do t,but up.
on the question before US, that of nom
mating a candidate for Congress in this
district to be supported at the next
election, We will present our views, sub
ject, of course,to criticism to approval
adoption, or rejection.
The country press is the medium o
home intercourse, aud of public ex
preston. In short, it is the voice o
of the people. 1t is the only medium
through which the people can gain the
public ear. Believing this we hope t
be pardoued for the freedom which W,
profess to enjoy.
At the present time, aud under ey
Isting circumstances, we believe that M
Congressional convention need be helt
by the so-called Republican party. w
believe it to be sentiment almost uni
versalIy felt, it not expressed, that oul
present member of Congress is the righ
man in the right place-thai
he is honest. capable add faith
ful-an indefatigable worker. leaving
no duty understanding no oportuni
ty to secure the true interests, and pro
vide for the necessities Of his constit
uents.
Remember that we do not claim Il
speak for the entire district. but for Thu
portion oft only, aud if we are no
correct in our views, our readers viii
repudiate them in hot haste. Nor d.
we profess to speak for this or for tn a
party, though these suggestions are of
fered in the main, for the consideration
Of the Republicans Of this locality, trust
ing, also, that our exchanges in tn
district will give them such consdera
ton as they deserve.
In brief, our proposition is to rails
the name of GENERAL RUsK as our can
didate for Congress, without the fol
malities oft convention, or even Of al