Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-02-11
The Distracted Democracy.

EGitorRepotblican: There is blood on
the moon-a sure sign that there is to
be war. Whether there is any con-
nection between this and the present
beligerent attitude assumed by GER
tain Watertown Democrats towards
other members of that fold, indicating
more sanguinary conflict, is a mys-
terry that the future only can solve.
The vote of censure passed upon Sem
ator Voss by the Board of Street Conn
missioners is something of more than
passing moment. With a senatorial
term just begun, barely month bav
ing elapsed since he put on legislative
honors, hardly allowing him time to
get warm in his capaciOus cushioned
chair at Madison, he is treated to
vote showing a want Of confidence by
the august body named, whose ire has
been aroused by him. This certainly
is not an suspicious beginning of his
the controversy | do not now express
any opinion 1t is evident that the
law making power in Watertown does
not wish to be interfered with by Mr..
Wallis law-making power in Madison,
without the consent Of the former be-
ing first duly obtained. Whether the
senator will "come down" as the coon
did at the sight of Davv Crockett, with
out further parleying, remains to be
seen. He will hardly think Is incum
bent upon him to resign on account Of
the rebuke he has received, since he
may say that fve-seventhso of the Board
of Street Commissioners are not his
constituents, and therefore have no
right to call him to account or SIT in
Judgment on his official acts. But this
fraction of the board may retort that
this being the case, the senator was not
justified in introducing any purely local
bills in the legislature affecting them
or their constituents, but should have
left it for their more immediate repre-
sentatives, Senator Greene and assem-
blyman jacob, whose prerogatives
have been improperly exercised, and
whose authority has been unduly
usurped by the senator from Dodge.
The outcome of the matter is problem
atical, to say the least. Senator Voss
is the representative of a district with
$500 majority behind him, and is
withal a man Of decided convictions,
with fair share of pluck. His tenure
of Office is four years, and he can afford
10 DC SOID0h L1dU 11IuG OCuQtuU. LIE
gentlemen comprising the Board of
Street Commissioners have no such
status as that enjoyed by the senator.
The powers they possess are meager,
and the constituencies they represent
are by no means extensive. The func
tons they enjoy as legislators are cir
cumscribed; and little wonder is 1T that
they do not wish to be shorn of any of
the few privileges now accorded them
in that capacity. This IS really the
point at issue, and the chief if not the
only bone Of contention. 1t is strug-
gle for power, which the board wishes
to have remain as it Is, If not enlarged,
and which the senator IS equally desir-
Gus of having restricted. Instead of
having itswings clipped, as the senator
proposes, the board would have these
useful appendages given greater ex-
panse, TO the end that it may soar
higher and cover a greater field of
operations. What Senator Voss may
finally conclude to do in the premises,
time only can tell. Those who know
him best, however, think that it would
have been better for the board to have
employed soft words and honied
phrases, rather than try the persuasive
powers of club with a view to his CON-
version. However, this may be a mis-
taken view. Republicans are not mirlg-
ling In the fray to the least extent.
They regard it as little family jar in
the Democratic household that should
be- settled among themselves. Later
on, when the hair-pulling commences
ana the breach widens, it may become
necessary to read the riot act but for
the present mastery inactivity is the
part of Republican wisdom.
OBSERVER,