Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-02-06

TO another man, with Mr.. Haugen's
knowledge, he seriously erred in not
peremptorily declining. He should
have foreseen the Interpretation sure
to be put upon it. Discovering his
mistake, he did the best thing possi-
Bile, corrected it by withdrawing ac-
ceptance.
1t Is Notifying to republicans that
their chief executive should be SUBJ
jected to the severe censure he is re-
ceiving in the matter, but the party
should not be thereby prejudi ed,
only so far as it excuses or condones
the proceeding. This, there is APP
parently little disposition to do. The
sentiment of the party is expressed
by the State Journal in the follow
! ing:
1t Is a severe strain upon good ma
/ ture to comment dispassionatelyupOn
the proceedings connected with the
| the appointment Of a local normal
school regent at River Falls. The
| whole affair on both sides, has been
/
cry. Here briefly are the facts: There
isa normal school located at River
| Falls. There had always been To-
| cal regent there, as there has been
and should be wherever school is
located. Last year when the term Of
| the local regent expired, Gov. Upham
| could not fix his matters so as to APP
point man from there. Political
- 70 itrl4
terests Of the River Falls school, and
90 that school was left without a lo-
lf..l regent. Vacancies in the board
were to occur this spring, and the
| River Falls school was to have To-
cal regent as before. Last year and
| this the people, without distinction
of party, in River Falls and the adjn-
cent county, were unanimous in
asking that Dr. Ballard be appointed.
| The governor promised to appoint
him, and made an official announce
ment from the executive office that
| the appointment was fixed A day
or two later Mr.. Haugen appeared in
Madison. AS Is we'll known Mr..
/ Haugen has been the most active
and bitter opponent Of Coy. Upham's
administration, declaring publicly
and privately, in conversation, in
letters and through the newspapers,
that the governor ought to be repu
dated by his party and refused re-
nomination.
Either In his own anxious brain or
through the suggestions Of some silly
and miscellaneous advisor, the idea
was advanced that here was chance
for some cunning political work.
Hangen might be pacified. Why
not appoint Haugen regent? To be
sure the people had asked for DR..
| Ballard. and it had been officially
announced that Dir. Ballard was app
pointed. but that should make no
! difference. Higher interests were at
stake. The political pot hunters had
flushed big game. The most stupen-
dous issue, the denomination Of the
present governor, might be settled
here and now. The wishes of the
people, promises made, the interests
Of the normal schools, they must not
be allowed to interfere in the pres
ence Of this mighty situation when
Ivy one master stroke the governor
could disarm his one great enemy
and clear the way to triumphal re-
nomination. Ii was ascertained that
III fiAuRbu NOuld dNNtpt. illb ptilAlpllS
Of the people We're pigeon-holed.
! Ballard was thrown overheard, the
secretary Of the board Of regents, IN
the capacity Of an envoy extraordi-
nary, was dispatched to River Falls,
to deliver with proper pomp and
circumstance, Mr.. Haugen's commits
|, sion. Mr.. Haugen accepted the APP
pointment verbally and by letter.
Thus was the great deed accom-
Iplished. 1t is hard 20 tell whether
the people We're more surprised or
disgusted over the inexplieable per-
forlnance. But this made little diff
ference, il only the dove of peace
, would spread her white wings over
the opposing forces Of the stalwart
warrior from the north and the am
bilious statesman Of the executive
office But, alas for the frailty of
j human hopes! The price was too
low, the bitter pill too big. And SO
yesterday Mr., Haugen sent back his
/, commission, threw up the uauseat-
! ing dose, and chaos came again,
! We simply recite the startling and
! disgusting facts We have not time
nor temper now to extend comments.
We leave the actors in this miserable
. farce in the hands Of the people
whose interests they make political
barter Of. And may the Lord have
mercy on their souls.