Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-04-29
The Pass Bill Dead.

As a republican we are disgnsted with
the action of the state senate in failing
to pass the bill prohibiting the use of
railroad passes by members of the legis-
lature and officials of the state. Such
cowarlly conduct is not -creditable to
the party in power and certainly will
not strengthen them in the minds of
the people.
We are heartily in accord with the
sentiment expressed in the following
editorial taken from the Milwaukee
Journal:
The senate has the credit of finally
killing the antl-pass amendment. On
the last test the supporters lacked three
votes of forcing reconsideration. Sen
atOr Mills, who is supposed TO favor the
amendment, was paired so he could not
vote and others who had repented and
were expected to favor reconsideration
relapsed into unfaith. The proposition
to call constitutional convention was
brushed off into the crumb basket as
soon as it had served its purpose as an
excuse, so the pass evil continues in eX-
istence more thoroughly discredited
than ever. The legislature did not dare
submit it to the people; it did not even
dare risk its going before another legis-
lature for approval, lest it should get to
the people 1t did not dare take the
first Of three steps toward removing the
corruption aimed at. Behind all this
backing III the harness, is public SEN
t1ment urging action the other way.
There is the promise of the party in its
convention which alone should be
enough for the party representatives
there is a solid front of the press of the
state; there is the evidence brought out
by Mr.. Hall, gathered at the spring
elections two years ago; there is every
argument of right and justice. What
have these men to answer? Nothing
not word of argument. They do not
assert that the system is right and justi-
fiably. They offer no tangible defense
they vote against it and are content.
Mr.. Hall has made wonderful fight for
the measure. He could not have known
what fortress of bad custom and insid-
ious corruption he was assaulting when
he began; but he has found out by this
time. He can not expect that another
resolution against passes will be allowed
to 90 through any convention as at the
last one; every opponent OF the pass
system will be fought at home bv every
trick known in caucus strategy. No
argument will be made; no noise will
be heard, but quietly, in every nook
and corner of the state, the friends Of
the amendment will be obstructed on
every side and IN unexpected ways.
This is the kind Of influence if not cor
ruption the pass system engenderS.
Look on and see it work.
The large majority gwen the repub-
lican party at the last general election
can be easily wiped out if the party
persists in ruling with a high hand in
the interests of corporations as the
record shows they have in the last ses-
sion of that body. The people are
watching the party managers in this ad-
ministration of whom they will ask an
accounting. Will we be in a position to
give such an one as we will be proud of?
Those who are in power must answer.
We had every reason to believe that
Chairman Coe and Governor Scofeld
possessed the principles of character
and integrity sufficient to guide the
ship of state with Il strong and favor
able hand, but we are sorry to say there
is a shadow of doubt