Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-02-13
not be dropped anv too soon.

acceptance IS COnnrmed.
Madison State Journal: Tits a
severe strain upon good nature to
comment dispassionately upon the
proceedings connected with the
appointment Of a local normal
school regent at River Falls. The
whole affair, on both sides, has
been one of political trickery and
treachery. Here briefly are the
facts: There is a normal school
located at River Falls. There had
always been a local regent there,
as there has been and should be
wherever a school is located. Last
year when the term of the local
regent expired, Gov. Upam could
not fix his matters so as to appoint
a man form there. Political
necessity seemed to outweigh the
interests of the River Falls school
and so that school was left with
out a local regent. Vacancies in
the board were to occur this
spring and the River Falls school
was to have a local regent as be-
fore. Last year and this the
people, without distinction Of party
in River Falls and the adjacent
country, were unanimous in asking
that DR.. Ballard be appointed.
The Governor promised to ap-
point him, and made an official
announcement from the executive
office that the appointment was
fixed. A day or two later Mr.,
Haugen appeared at Madison. AS
is we'll known, Mr.. Haugen has
been the most active and bitter
opponent of Gov Upham's adj
ministration, declaring publicly
and privately, in conversation, in
letters and through the news
papers, that the Governor ought
to be repudiated by his party and
refused a denomination.
Either in his own anxious brain
or through the suggestion of some
silly and mischievous adviser. the
idea was advanced that there was
a chance for some cunning political
work. Haugen might be paclfed>
Why not appoint Haugen regent?
To be sure the people did not
want him, they had asked for DR..
Ballard, and it had been officially
announced that DR.. Ballard. was
appointed, but that should make
no difference. Higher interests
were at stake. The political pot
hunters had flushed big game.
The most stupendous issue, the
denomination Of the present Gov
ernor, 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 interior in the pre-
sence of this mighty situation
when by one master stroke the
Governor could disarm his one
great enemy and clear the way to
a triumphant denomination. 1t
was ascertained that Iaugen
would accept The petitions Of
the people were pigeonholed.
Ballard was thrown overheard, the
Secretary of the board Of regents,
in the capacity of an envoy extra
ordinary, was dispatched to River
Falls, to deliver with proper pomp
and circumstance, Mr.. Iaugen's
commission Mr.. FIaugen accepted
the appointment verbally and by
letter.
Thus was the great deed accom-
plished. 1t is hard 10 tell whether
the people were more surprised Or
disguised over the inexplicable
performance. But this made little
difference, if only the dove Of
peace would spread her white
wings over the opposing forces Of
the stalWart warrior from the north
and ambitious statesman of the
executive office. But alas, for the
fraility Of human hopes! The
price was too low, the bitter pill
too big. And so yesterday Mr..
Haugen sent back his commission,
through up the nauseating dose
and chaos came again.
We simply recite the startling
and disgusting facts. We have
not time nor temper now for ex-
tended 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.
Manitowoc Pilot: D. J. Gardner
Of Platteville is the only demo-
cratic member of the Board of
Regents who is allowed to remain.
When republican is found to
take his place he will be given his
congo. Such disreputable juggling
with schools to attain partisan ends
should disgust every decent man
no m n +ar what f,;c D01;+:cc Il -