Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-19
STATE POLITICS.

troublous situation. The Bennett
educational law which has brought
about this complicated state both
ers members of all parties. The
Republican leaders are fearful
that the endorsement of the law
by their state convention will
array the Luthern Church solidly
against them and thus encompass
their defeat unless there shall be
compromising gain of votes from
the democrats, which they regard
as uncertain. The better element
in the democratic party in their
hearts endorse the principle of the
law and SO stand on republican
ground. They do not wish to
have the law made an issue at
all, but they are in distress at the
prospect as to practical politicians
iii their party seem determined to
take advantage of the sore strait
they believe the republicans are
in, III the hope Of obtaining a vic
tory at the polls next fall. They
care not for principle but only for
party success and will sacrifice all
the former to win the latter. Pro-
hibitionists believe in the Bennett
law and will undoubtedly vote for
the party which fathers it, but this
action threatens to wreck the Or
ganizatlon and that is what disturbs
the mental unaminity of their
leaders. Thus it can be seen that
all parties are deeply concerned
and political affairs in general in
the state would be vastly simplifed
if the Luterans had not insisted
on finding fault with a measure
excellent, but which they claim
could be made most disastrous to
their school system. The republic
cans will undoubtedly re-nominate
w. d. Hoard for governor, al
though he has been the most ear
nest defender. the Bennett law has
had, but it is very difficult to sur
mise what kind of a platform will
be constructed for him to stand
on. If the leaders have their way
it will be compromise SO far as
educational matters are concerned. ,
and in that event Hoard may de-
cline to lead the party. But the
farmers may rally as they did two
years ago and CONTROL the
commotion and put Hoard at the
head Of the ticket, and again dom
mate the convention, Then Hoard
! would be honored and the platform
would be constructed in exact
accordance with his Pro-Bennett
law ideas. If Hoard should be
| forced in order to be consistent
with his party championship of the
law to decline a denomination,
the Secretary of State, Ern est G.
Timme, seems to be the one most
likely to be chosen. He is a Ger
man, exceedingly popular as his
vote in comparison with that of
Gen. Rusk and others in past years,
shows, and has maintained his own
counsel on the Bennett law though
all his intimates know that from
the very first he has had no SYM
pathy with the measure, but on
the other hand has regarded it as
being OF an utterly unnecessary
character. Timme has avoided
openly committing himself and
went to Dakota to see a sick rel
ative, he said at the time the Luth
eran convention was held in
Milwaukee at which he was expec-
ted to deliver an address. Ex-
State Treasurer E. c. Nc Fetridge
is another man talked of, and
name of Congressman I. w. Van
Shack, of Milwaukee, is occasionly
mentioned, as is also that of Elk
Senator Angus Cameron, though
the latters boom, commenced two
months ago, has fallen somewhat
flat. But there are many reasons
to believe at this writing that Hoard
will again be named, and that he
will make the canvass.
| The following is a fair prediction
of the remainder of the republican
ticket. For Lieutenant Governor
EX-Speaker 7. B. Mills, of Mill