Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-02-27

| cratic press Lndb ItpuuiiCdh suSSNoo
| in this state involves surrender or
compromise of whatever rights the
courts may hold to exist in favor OF
the state upon the bonds OF ex-state
| treasurors, and pledges Itself, II IL
shall BE intrusted With the executive
and legislative power in the state, to
enforce fully the rights OF the peo-
pie in the premises"
The convention that passed this
resolution nominated Ex-senator
| Spooner for governor. He opened
the campaign in Milwaukee, and in
his speech devoted considerable
time to the discussion fthe treasury
cases, declaring that the people
might safely depend that in the
event of republican success that
theywould be vigoropslyand speedily
prosecuted to a final termination.
The republican papers and speakers
all united in the same declaration
throughout the campaign.
The republicans were defeated in
| 1892. When the republican conven-
ton met in 1894, two of the cases, in
volving about 100000, were still I'M
disposed Of, and the convention by
unanimous vote, adopted the plat
form Of 1892, covering the resolution
above quoted. In direct violation Of
this explicit party pledge, the legis-
lature passed bill ordering a dis
missal of the two pending treasury
eases, and it received the approval Of
the present republican governor. In
pursuance Of this law the cases have
been dismissed.
Another state election is coming
next fall, and this veXed question,
which will not down at any bidding,
will again intrude itself into party
counsels. The democrats will de-
clare in their platform and through
their papers and speakers that if the
republicans are again successful
that they will go a step further and
pay back the money that has already
been collected and covered into the
treasury. They will say that the re-
publicans deceived the people with
regard to the pending suits and that
they will deceive them in regard to
the money recovered. They will
point out that our party has squarely
broken one sacred promise, and that
this is evidence that it will break
another. False in one, false in all, 7
will be their cry.
Now the question for republicans
to consider, and to thoroughly con-
slider, is, What are we going to do
about it?n 1t is too important amat-
ter to leave undecided until the con-
vcntlon meets. There will be no OPP
pGrtunity there for careful deliber-
alton. Such a question cannot be
rightly discussed and safely decided
in IA body of nearly 800 members.
The time to discuss and settle 1t is
before the convention meets.
There is one Of three courses to be
pursued. Approve the action of the
Legislature aud the governor; keep
silent in regard to it, or repudiate
and denouuce, Which Of these three
courses shall be pursued? We can
not believe that the party after twice
unanimously declaring in convention
assembled that these cases should be
prosecuted without surrender or
compromise will now approve of
their dismissal. We are quite sure
that no convention will make con-
fession Of guilt by cowardly ignoring
the question. This brings us to the
conclus ion that the action of the leg
islature and governor will meet with
disapproval.
The question then arises Will the
convention commit itself to the far
eical eNpedient OF denouncing the
passage Of the treasury bill, and en-
dorse, by a denomination, any officer
who made its enactment into law
possible? These are questions that
are certain to confront the republican
state convention next fall and
they should be thoroughly discussed
ia advance. The papers and the
people, whenever they have oppor-
tunity, should discuss them. The
State Journal cordially invites eN-
Ipres-ions Of opinion through it, col
unns. Thc two leading republican,
papers of the state The Milwaukee
Wisconsin and sentinel we believe
have never expressed themselves
upon this important subject. The
people would no doubt he much in
terested and enlightened by reading
their views. Come brethren, let us
reason together.