Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-06-15
ARE PARTY PLATFORMS AND pROMI-
SEES To RE HQNOREn2


1t is beneath the dignity of the re-
publican party as q whole, or any fac
tion thereof, to minimize the Importance
of the "pass" question, or to evade the
truth and the real issue. The practical
unanimity of tie republican press in
demanding the abolition of the custom,
and the fact that this demand was in
corporated as a plank In the party
platform two years ago, nullifies and
brands as false the charge that the
question is simply exploited as stalk
lag horse by those who are opposed to
the machine" and the "lobby" and de-
termined, within the party lines, to
reasonably and Justly relegats both to
their proper functions and position as
subordinate to, not MASTERS of the
rank and file of the party itself and of
the people as whole.
The pros and cons of the proposition
are beyond the stage of discussion. The
last state convention and republican
platform, until revoked, have settled
that. The $4,000 for and 500 against
the abolition of the pass and frank, who
voted three years ago at town meetings.,
proves and demonstrates conclusively
that the people demsnd it shall be
legally enacted and the law Loyalty OBJ
served and enforced. The last legisla-
lature, by majority vote in favor of
such constitutional resolution, reflected
that demand.
Critics to the contrary notwithstand-
ing, the charges made against Governor
Scofeld by Assemblyman Hall (of which
the use of the pass and frank is only
one OF many serious charges of official
dereliction) are serious, because, unlike
any previous occupant of the guberna-
torial chair, Governor Scoficld was bound
by platform upon which. as a candi-
date, he stood, and to which he speci-
fically pledged his personal and official
support and adhesion.
The machine press and politicians
may call Nh. Hall a crank, but the people
and those who have served with him in
the legislature, know him to be man
of undoubted ability-an American of
Americans-a republican of distin-
guished powers and loyalty to the
party and its principles and of
perfect truth and unsullied honor.
Such man can never be "downed,"
neither can those who think with him.
nor may the principles they advocate.
Governor Scofield is arraigned before
the people of the state, and by the re-
publican party, not for using pass and
frank, but for vetoing, on technical
grounds, laws passed by the legislature
for fair and just taxation Of express and
sleeping car companies and other cor
porations, and for not only vetoing those
laws, but for using improperly the pow
or and influence of his position, as
governor, in lobbying against measures
to which the party in convention had
promised its faithful support. His
attempts to cover up and deceive the
people on the improper use of the ex-
press ranking privilege are most GEN.
surable. These are the real facts and
the people cannot and will not be
fooled or trihed with.
The CENSOR has reason to believe that
fully 80 per cent of the voters of Yer
non county are in accord with it's policy
IN this connection. AS before stated, it
is not for using pass and frank, so
long as issued to public officials, to
which the people object. 1t is "did
you as governor or member of the
legislature, use your vote and in
Huence, to prevent thei" issue and
use in future, according to the
demand of your party?" The
writer is free to state, not as q
"holier than thou" that he has and
will continue to use and accept such
privileges. But he has and will, durin g
his term OF office, vote right and square
ly against the pernicious custom. His
record in the legislature is before his
constituents. He has another record
which ante dates this. Whilst mem.
Der of the county board, few years
ago, the editor of tho CENSOR was one
OF 26 of % members who voted to me-
moralizs the legislature for snti-pass
legislation. His fellow members of that
body will we'll remember that the writer
at that time clearly stated his position
that il he were ever honored by cleo
tiop to the Legislature, he would not re.
fuse such privileges for himself or bis
constituents, but that by his vote and
influence he would oppose the existing
custom. That pledge has been faith.
fully kept and the journal of the sen.
ate is open to ell people to examine fol
themselves in proof of that. Not only or
the pass question but on all measures tc
promote the general welfare Of the
state and fair and just taxation of cor.
porate interests, his vote and voice in
senate and committee was for the right
Therefore, the CENSOR has the right
and will, with consistency, call the at
tention of its readers to the necessity
for their active support, by agitation
and vote, in and out of caucus and con
vention, of those who Loyalty and heart.
lily support as delegates and Legislative
representatives the enactment and en-
forcement OF laws in compliance witt
the republican platform and its prinoi
PIES.
MIR. a. II. Thompson, ore OF the pic
neer editors of Wisconsin. died at his
hox,a IN Milwaukae loci Nhu rsdav Hf