Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-06-23
MACHINE AND ANTl-MACHINE.
Ex Gov. Hoards jefferson County Upinn


vile Gazette, and occupier of snug
birth under Gov. Scofield, INDUCES
in diatribe against Hon. X. NJ. La
Toilette, and the men who think lik e
him on questions of party manage
ment. Bliss accuses Mr.. La Toilette
of striving to establish mahine
for the purpose of overthrowing the
present machine with which the Re-
publican party is now dominated in
Wisconsin. Any independence of
sentiment or outspoken frankness of
expression as to the way party mat
tiers are managed is rank treason in
the eyes of Bliss. Let us see. It is
not SO very long ago since this same
Bliss was in "A very unblissful state
of mind, vowing all sorts Of ven
goance, and ready to bolt the road
to Heaven itself because he was not
made postmaster Of GAINESVILLE. Ex-
Congressman Caswell could a very
interesting "tale unfoldn concerning
the tremendous party fealty of this
immaculate Bliss. But a word a. to
Mr., La Follette's "machine.n OF
whom is it composed? How is it
composed? And what are its pur-
poses?
1t is composed of class Of men in
the Republican party who believe in
honesty and fairness in politics, who
do not believe in corrupt practices
for personal advancement, or party
ends; who do not believe in turning
the party force, influence and ma
chinery, over to the use of rich cor
pOrations, and against the interest of
the people from whom all parties
are supposed, at least, to derive
their authority.
The friends of Mr.. La Toilette have
not been known as corrupt lobbyists
for the olemargarine combine at Chi
cago, railroad, express and telegraph
companies, or any other corporate
influence which will pay them we'll
for appearing before state legisla-
lures and Congress to crush out right
eous legislation in behalf of the peo-
pie.
Mr. La FolIctte's "machine" has
not appeared before the legislature
for the purpose of securing an unfair
and dishonest exemption from taxa
ton, rs did II. G. Payne in behalf of
the electric light and power com
panies of tho state, thus saddliug on
the home Of the poor the burden the
rich should bear. Mr.. LaFollette's
"machine' has not appeared before
the legislature opposing the sacred
pledge Of the party in convention as
sembied, to stop the giving Of rail
road passes, express and telegraph
franks to public officials. La Fol-
lette's machine" has not appeared
before the Legislature, as did the
Payne and Phster machine, for the
purpose of defeating the Corrupt
Practice act.
Nowhere in the history of Mr.. La
Toilette and his friends have they
been found leagued together against
popular rights, against the people.
The Ln Toilette "machine" is not a
collection of political mendicants,
gamblers, tricksters and corrupt lob
bytsts. But it does believe with all
its might mind aud strength, that
the frs and only duty of a political
party is to the people; is to use the
forces Of the party machinery in be-
half of the people and againstall cor
rupt and selfish forces which seek TO
rob the people.
1t believes that the true source of
political authority is the will of the
people, not ring of political gam
blers, who have grown rich in selling
themselves and their influence to
those who would rob the people.
Mr. La Follette's machine" be-
lteves in organization for all Just and
patriotic purposes, and it does be-
lieve that honor, conscience and pa
trIotlsm should be the foundation Of
all political action, 1t is everlast-
ingly opposed to the Republican
party ia Wisconsin being run by
men who buy mp delegates to the
state conventions like So many sheep.
andthe Union believes the people are
very largely with the La Toilette