Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1900-08-15
LA ,FOLLETTE'S SPEECH
OF ACCEPTANCE.

CATIONS anywhere, excepting to the pub
| lie. He must be free 10 pass judicially.
as it were. on all questions of conflicting
interest, which come before him. Upon
this plain. self-evident proposition rests
the reason for the anti-pass legislation.
the manifest justice ~ nd wisdom OF which
no unbiased citizen viii question to-day.
BY rs recorded pledges. the Republican,
party is fully committed to consmnmate
| and perfect every requirement necessary,
10 effectually prohibit public officers from
accepting from any corporation any pass,
frank or privilege of free transportation
for himself or for his property. or from
receiving reduced transportation rates or
mileage other than is offered TO the pub
/ lie.
Ii in the development Of commercials
enterprise, combinations should be form
ed that cheaper production, in which
the consumer share. the benefit, let them
make this plainly manifest, then will they
win public favor. and secure the sanction
of the law. But combinations and trusts
that destroy competition. restrain trade
and create monopolies. which prey upon
the consumer, must be met with prohibi
tory penalties by both State and national
legislation.
But. gentlemen of the convention, with
all of your good work, nothing which
you nave done, nothing which has been
done by any convention in Il quarter of
a century, will give to every man who
has had share in the work. such endur-
ing honor when it shall have ripened into
statutory law, as the declaration made
here to-day for the nomination of all can
didates by direct vote at primary cleo
ton under the Australian ballot. The
tests OF experience will doubtless be re-
quired to perfect all the working details
of primary election law. 1t would be
strange indeed if il were not so. But
your great achievement is in having es-
tablished the principle and begun the
overthrow OF a system that is undermin-
ing representative government through
out the land No longer III Wisconsin will
there stand between the voter and the
official a political machine with a com
plicated system of caucuses and conven-
tions. by the easy manipulation of which
il thwarts the will of the voter and rules
official conduct. NJ valid reason can be
given for continuing the caucus and con-
yention another day. If the voter is com
petent to cast his ballot at the general
election for the official of his choice, he
is equally competent to vote directly at
primary election for the nomination Of
tn" candidates of his party II is his
right as a citizen and taxpayer. and who
will dare to gainsay or deny it?
Primary Election Law.
Inspired with confidence by the great
reformation accomplished in our general
elections through the Australian ballot
we advanced the standards of reform and
demand the application of the same
method in making nominations, together
with the sovereign right that each citi
zen shall for himself exercise his choice
by direct vote, without the Intervention
or interference of any political agency.
To those who have, with mistaken con
confidence, borne the heat and burden of
many fight with me, may be permitted
to make open acknowledgements and ex-
press my lasting affectionate regard. No
one knows so well your disinterestcd 10y
atty to the cause in which you have never
faltered. but gone forward from the first
indifferent alike TO political sunshine and
to political storm. No one knows so well
with what certainty can turn to you
for support in discharging every political
duty which may come to me, with that
largeness of spirit and breadth of view
which shall unity and make strong our
great party organization.
To Former Opponents.
To the Republicans who have stontly
and manfully opposed me in this and
other contests, | tender that respect and
admiration due to every worthy oppon-
ent. Good fellowship and good fighting
go together Standing by our convictions,
LET us put the differences that have di-
vided us aside. As Republicans we have
now one common purpose-the triumph of
our party in the political battle that is
on and the right record which il must
make for good government after the bat
tie is won
To you, gentlemen of the convention,
and through you to the people of this
great commonwealth, | here declare that
if elected to the high Office of Governor
of Wisconsin, it will be my purpose to
maintain an efficient and economical pub
lie service. and, with the cooperation
and support OF my associates in State
administration and the legislative depart
| ment of the government, as best | can,
endcavor to promo'J the interest and
honor of the State, and command the
| confidence of an intelligent and patriotic
public.