Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1900-08-16
LA FOLLETTE'S SPEECH
OF ACCEPTANCE.


lobby system that so prejudices them
with the public, and the mercenary Of
fetal, with no talent except for sand
bagging," will find private life far more
profitable than public life.
Prohibition of Passes.
The public official must owe no obi
cations anywhere, excepting TO the pub
lie. He must be free to 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 and wisdom Of which
no unbiased citizen will question to-day.
BY its recorded pledges, the Republican
party is fully committed to consummate
and perfect every requirement necessary,
to 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
lic
Ii in the development of commercial
enterprise, combinations should be form
ed, that cheaper production, in which
the consumer shares 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 aid national
legislation.
But, gentlemen Of the convention, with
all of your good work, nothing which
you have done, nothing which has been
done by any convention in quarter of
a century, will give to every man who
has had a 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 a primary cleo
ton under the Australian ballot. The
tests of experience will doubtless be re-
quired to perfect all the working details
Of a primary election law. 1t would be
strange indeed il it were not so. But
your great achievement is in having es-
tablished the principle, and begun the
overthrow of system that is undermln-
ing representative government through
out the land. No longer in Wisconsin will
there stand between the voter and the
official a political machine with com
plcated system Of caucuses and conven-
tons, by the easy manipulation Of which
it thwarts the will of the voter and rules
official conduct. No valid reason can be
given for continuing the caucus and con-
vention another day II 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
the candidates of his party. 1t is his
right as n citizen and taxpayer, and who
will dare to gainsay or deny it!
Primary Election Law.
Inspired with confidence 10y 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 Former Opponents.
To the Republicans who have stoutly
and manfully opposed me- in this and
other contests, | tender that respect and
admiration due to every worthy oppon-
emit. 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 it 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 l can,
endeavor to promote the interest and
honor of the State. anu command the
confidence of an intelligent and patriotic
public.