Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-06-18
Gov. Upham and the Rest.

The republican papers OF the state,
notably the Madison Journal, which
are most vigorous in opposing the
denomination of Gov. Upham, are
open to charge of Inconsistency, or
of Disgusting their real grounds OF
opposition. So far as published, the
main and practically sole reason
urged against Upham's denomination
is that he signed the treasurer-relief
bills, although he advised against
their passage. While the equity OF
those laws is generally admitted,
their enactment, in view of party
platform pledges and declarations,
was and is generally regarded as i'm
polite, and likely to prove hurtful to
the republican party. For purely
partisan reason, many believe that
some authoritative condemnation of
the measures should be made by the
state convention. Without subscribe
ing to it, we recognize the force OF
this theory. But, how should that
theory be acted upon? 1t isundenied
that some Of the state officers, not in
Guiding the governor, were active as
lobbyists in securing the passage of
those bills, Bringing all theirpersonal
and official influence to bear to that
end, and advised the governor to
sign them after their passage. For
these high officials there Is no con-
demnation from the papers that are
making the political welkin ring with
declarations that Upham must be
punished for his part in the hurtful
treasurer-relief measures. Therein
are these journals inconsistent.
Brethren Of the republican press,
please stand up and answer: Do you
think it is just, or that the people
will be appeased for the so-called
party blunder of enacting those
measures If the governor only is de-
posed, in spite Of whose opposition
they were passed, and other state Of
flcers who actively aided the COM
mission OF the condemned acts, es
cape all censure, and are continued
on front seats of emolument and
power? If the governor made mis-
take hurtful to the party IN signing
those bills, are not the official lobby
lists who assisted in passing the same.
thus making it possible for the gov
ernor to do the party harm, guilty OF
a greater wrong2
The TRIBUNE wants to be in line
with all valiant, unseliish defenders
Of republican honor, but more It
wants to be Just. We cannot regard
the treasurer-relief bills as abstract
| ly wrong. In some respect their re-
lation to the republican party resem-
bles that Of the Bennett school law
right in itself, but through prejudice
and political Misrepresentation hurt
full to the party for the time being.
/ w y CdnlOh NiInIAi " Stilh etll
cans prominently concerned In those
enactments to the political head
block. TO execute one only, who is
not more to blame than many others,
would not save us votes enough to
compensate for the shame Of SO un-
just and cowardly course.
If the opponents of Governor Up
ham are sincere In their representa-
tions that the enactment of the treas
urer-relief bills is such IA disfiguring
and damning blemish on the party
scutcheon they should demand COM
pletc eradication of it, and not be con-
tent TO smear ii over by retiring the
governor only, and leave the precious
party standard in the clutch of other
hands that have aided more than his
in its DETACHMENT.