Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-22
STATE POLITICS.

OF the coming campaign they
have only to make a platform
which shall endorse the principles
of the Bennett law, renominate
Hoard for governor, honor
Michael J. Bennett, who innocent
ly enough, as far as his own
intentions went, has gained great
renoWn as the legislator that
farthered the now famous measure,
with the nomination as state
superintendent, and complete the
ticket with due regard to location
and nationality. A double purpose
might be subserved by including
Bennett in the slate viz:-unqual-
flied recognition of the merit of
the Bennett law and of his action
toward it, and the paying Of
republican respects to 1rish-Ameri-
cans, of whom Mr.. Bennett is a
good, intelligent, and patriotic
representative. This young man.,
who awoke one morning to find
himself famous, is Badger born, a
native of the county in which he
has ever resided, was thirty years
of age last January, was educated
in the common schools of which
he is a sincere champion, is a
farmer and school teacher in pine
knot township, and has been a
member Of the lower House of
the legislature for two sessions.
the only other public office he
ever held being that of town clerk.
He is the most unassuming OF
of men and as diffdent as school
girl. He seldom obtruded his
opinions on the assembly, and yet
he is man of convictions who.
with that good wit too often absent
in legislation, never arose to speak
without having something to say
and he said it without waste of
words, though ever while on his
feet blushing at his own tenerity.
At the last session he, having
already had one terms Legislative
experience, was made chairman of
the home committee on education,
ranking below only that of the
committees on judiciary and state
affairs, Very naturally he is a
loyal defender of the Bennett law.
1t may be stated as ali interesting
and perhaps significant fact, that
he was not present at the recent
republican conference, when the
law, which can hereafter never
be disassociated from his name
was the subject of such earnest
discussion for seven long hours
To put Mr.. Bennett on the ticket
would be most defantly shying the
castor into the ring, before the
faces of the Lutherans, and
perhaps such action might meet
the appreciation of the more
aggressing members of the repub-
hcan party, but it is entirely
unlikely that the conciliatory
element would consent to such an
ultra stand being taken. 1t is tc
be hoped, however, that the gooc
people of the second Iowa distric
will give Mr.. Bennett an endorse
ment such as reelection to the
assembly would form.
The democratic hue and cry
against frauds in the state treasury
is an empty blast which is fas
passing away. 1t will probably
cut no figure in our future
politics. Col. Gilbert NJ. Wood
ward, of Lacrosse, democratic
candidate for governor in 1886
when the riot issue gave Jerry
Rusk majority Of 1878, was il
the city few days ago prowlins
around to see what he could fine
out. He paid considerable atten
ton to the treasury matter, ane
evidently hoped to unearth /;
mares nest but was greatly
disappointed, After spending ;
day about the capitol, much Of i
in the treasury department wher'
he was given every facility TO
thoroughly informing himself a,
to the methods pursued by treas
urer :Harshaw in the management