Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1900-03-07
THE CONGRESSIONAL CALL CONTROVERSY
Mayor Howe, Of Boscobei, Handles the Mat
ter Vigorously Chairman Casson
Makes a Statement.
Boscobel. wis. Feb. 81. 1900.


| EDITOR GRANT COUNTY WITNESS - I
| | have been asked by number of my
| friends whether j expect To become a
candidate for the republican nomination
for congress in this district.
If the convention should be held at
/ the usual time of the year for such con-
ventions- that is some time after the
national convention at Philadelphia
would feel compelled to accede to the
many requests that | hay received from
friends throughout the district, and
answer you III the affirmative.
| | see now that the convention has
actually been called for the Gath day Or
April at Baraboo You are aware that
this is an almost purely agricultural
district and that our republicans are
largely farmers by occupation. That
the months of March and April are two
of the very busiest months of the season
for them. and that if there is any time
of the year when republican farmer Is
not interested in and will not listen to
politics it il in the busy months of
March and April Then, you know that
our caucuses will have to be held at
time of the year when the roads will be
almost impossible, and many Of the
farmers will have TO drive miles fh-ough
mud and over a winters collection OF
defects in highways in order to attend a
caucus, which many viii refuse TO do
Even il it were not for the inconYenl-
ences with which the congressional
committee, whether designedly or mott
have seen fit to obstruct the free ex-
preston Of the will of our people on the
choice of candidate, there are other
inherent objections to so early a conven-
ton that ought to have been needed
After the national conventions people
become more interested in politics -
party lines commence 10 be drawn. The
issues are then formed and we have
made national platform on which to
stand a candidate and the merits of all
candidates have been considered. What
do we want of nominee two months
, before we have any declaration of prin-
ciples? We can get candidates any
time and almost anywhere, but how
about principles
f In this district about the only fight the
I republicans have heretofore had has
been over the selection of a candidate.
The large republican mojority mean'
= little or no effective opposition after
S nomination. 1t is yet ten months before
7 election, AMI only two of these ten are
7 allowed for the contest, and those at the
1 most inconv3nient time.
: This early call helps nobody and hurts
5 everybody It certainly will and does
= have the effect of sitting the voice Of
I the republicans of this county and dis
e trict 1t is un-republiean, contrary tc
q the principles of free government, rem
Q ders intelligent action by the masses OF
u our people difficult or impossible; de-
e prives them of a fair chance for choice
Z and is badge Of imperialism that
d predict viii be used effectually by our
g democratic friends.
+ / can assure my friends that | feel
1 very grateful to them for having coupled
+ my name with SO honorable an office,
n and if the usual oppo unity could be
: given, | would gladly attempt the race;
n but to my view it would be worse than
: useless TO go before the people seeking
+ Il nomination under circumstances
e which practically deny to them the
e power to awar / it fairly Hence | can
+ not be canildate before the convention
+ ON April 2tth 1t is obviously much
$ more important to the people that they
+ have a full, fair and free opportunity tC
e discuss and consider the merits of can
g didates, and to know the platforms upon
d which they stand, than it Is to be IN
{ such unseemly haste about selecting one.
e As evidence to the people that this
untimely date was not dictated by any
candidate; in the interest and for the
convenience of the vast multitude OF
farmers who inhabit this congressional
district to secure perfect fairness among
0 candidates. in order that the people
may be unhampered by time limits, OF
g other ohstructing conditions and that
Q the we'll established usages of the re
4 publican party he not violated: suggest
g that all candidates unite in an urgent
= request to the congressional committee
+ # this district to postpone the conven,
+ ton TO a date subsequent to the holding
r of the republican national convention.
r Can any honorable gentleman, who
expects to become a candidate refuse &c
e unite in this move? If not you may
= .,ublish this letter, and the results will
!. perhaps show valuable information to
+ the people of this district.
7 W. f. HOWE.