Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-08-24


The platform adopted is as follows:
The Republicans of Wisconsin In con-
vention assembled congratulate the ma
ton upon It's magnificent achievements I'M
der the wise and patriotic policies of the
Republican party. It's most signal tri-
umphs both in peace and in war, since the
organization of that party, have been won
under its rule.
We heartily approve and endorse the ad-
ministratiOn Of President Mckinley.
His efforts to avert hOStilities with Spain,
and gain the desired end, through peace
full means, earn for him the approval Of
all good men, and were wise and right;
when war became inevitable his quiet, res0-
lutte, vigorous action demonstrated his
thorough comprehension Of the nation
needs and wishes, and when the powers Of
peace were asked his magnanimity and
sense of justice stood forth IMPLYING the
noblest traits of our American character,
and commanding the respect and approval
Of the civilized world.
We welcome the return Of peace, and
express our gratitude and thanks to the
brave men Of the army and navy, who
have maintained the honor of flag,
and again prove to the world the qualities
of American patriotism. We extend joy
Gus welcome to our returning Wisconsin
boys who have deservedly gained the high
est honOrs among the volunteer troops.
We express our perfect confidence in
the administration to wisely and justly
conclude terms OF peace, having regard for
the welfare of the Inhabitants of the con-
quered territory and the best interests OF
own people.
We reaffrm the declaration of the last
Republican national convention.
We believe that the declaration in the
ST. Louis National Republican platform
for the maintenance of the gold standard
and the parity Of our forms of money
should be enacted into law, and the money
of the American people should be made
and kept, like all It's institutions, the best
in the world.
We congratulate the nation on the re-
turn of prosperity.
We endorse the present state admins
Wisconsin's prompt response to the call of
the President for troops and the attention
equipment and training, and constant solicit
tude for their health and comfort in camp
and field, are the source of qualification.
We demand the immediate enactment of
such laws as may be necessary to compel all
persons and corporations. engaged in bust
ness within the state, except such fraternal
and o. her associations as are now expressly
exempted from taxation by law, to contrib
ute their just and equal share towards the
burden of taxation.
We deman the immediate enactment of
law forbidding any railroad company, sleep
ing car company, steamboat or steamship
company express company, telegraph COM
pany or telephone company TO issue or de-
liver to any public official iii this state any
pass frank or privilege of free transpOrta-
ton of himself or property or the free trans
mission Of messages over telephone or tele-
graph lines, and that the giving or receiving
of any such pass, frank privilege shall be
made penal offense, both as to the giyer
We believe in perfect liberty of conscience
nOn-sectaranSm in public affairs, separation
Of church and state: in free common schools.
and the utmost independence of individual
thought, speech and action consistent with
the law and the rights of others
Recognizing that the present caucus and
convention law is not free from defects we
favor such legislation as will secure to every
citizen the freest expression of his choice
In 10 n cHO0i0atpS
We condemn the practice, which We are
informed has prevailed for many years both
in Democratic and Republican administra-
tons, of making advance payments from the
state treasury account of salaries of Of
ticers and employees and we insist that such
practice shall absolutely cease. and THAT DO
moneys be paid out Of the treasury for any
purpose otherwise than in strict conformity
to law.
Tie existence of the lobby at the seat of
government during the session of the LeglS-
lature to control legislation in the interests
of private corporations, or special interests
is an evil that should be abolished by law
The task of speaking so that all could
hear was difficult one on account OF the
immense number of people present and
the large size of the hall. The custom of
reading documents first from the plat
form and then from the rear of the hall
was adopted part of the time. John NJ.
Ewing's strong voice was valuable in the
convention. and when he had read the
platform from the platform the conyen-
ton was asked if It cared to have it
read again from the other end of the hall.
The words had been uttered so distinct
ly that there was no demand for a second
reading. Men like Mr. Ewing and Mr..
Fricke are simply invaluable in cOnven-
tons. Instead of going to the platform
and making themselves heard by only
those in the front seats, many OF the
speakers stood upon a chair in the mid
Il Ia nd tal l. p1 n
the space set aside for delegates. Not
only was it hard to hear in such a large
convention, but it was also difficult to
see, and opera glasses were needed to
distinguish the features of people across
the hall.
Each successive convention that Gen.
Griffin presides over renews the impress
sion of his excellence as a presiding Of
fcer. He is cool and determined, and
never gets ratified. Every delegate who
is entitled to it is given d full and fair
hearing. but the luckless individual who
is out of order does not find things pleas
ant, as was shown last evening when a
young man tried to make a secondng
speech when nominating speeches were
called for The chairman called him
down in great shape. Another person
who shouted in terms of disrespect at a
speaker was Summarily dealt with The
remove the man from the hall at once.
Gen. Griffin decides a point quickly,
gives reason for it and then sticks to it.
In spite of the young men who were
so much in evidence last evening, and
who contributed in giving a certain color
ing to the convention, many bald heads
were to be seen in looking over the gath
ering. Some philosopher in viewing the
scene said that it proved to him that
badness was becoming more common.
The telegraph operators were slowed
away in a dark corner, at the west side
of the stage. Part of their equipment in
the evening was a bundle of candles.
The lower ends of these were melted so
that they would stand on a table and by
this crude method light was furnished to
read copy. The telegraph people came to
the hall with a supply of revenue stamps
to place upon dispatches.
A delegate, in seconding the nomination
of La Toilette last evening, made a hit
with his manipulation of terms relating tc