The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1901-09-19
NORTHERN WISCONSIN POLITICS.
From the VIEWPOINT of West Superior
Writer.
West Superior, Wis, Sept. II.

of the republican party is perhaps
the most unfathomable mystery that
has ever existed in the politics of
the state. The stalwart organization
recently organized in Milwaukee are
making big claims, while the La
Toilette half-breeds also seem to be
of the opinion that everything in
sight belongs to them. There are
conditions that exist that the lead
ers of the factions do not seem to
take into consideration or attach the
Importance which they deserve. I'm
questionably the sentiment among
the common people is for Spooner's
return to the senate, while at the
same time they are inclined favor
ably to giving La Toilette another
term. Particularly is this true in
regard to the Scandinavians, who
represent the largest foreign element
III the party There is a very pop
ular feeling that the quarrel Of the
bosses ought not to be tolerated,
and when it comes to Ginning up"
with the factions of the party lead
ers the people are inclined to rebel.
Next year every assemblyman and
senator will first be pledged to the
reelection of Spooner, before his
nomination is made. In this much
it is quite plain that the stalwarts
have easy sailing in this part If the
state. There is certain to be bitter
fight on La Toilette. as every large
lumber aud manufacturing concern
is opposed to the Governor. But
the local leaders in northern coun-
ties are divided enough to make the
fight an interesting one, and there
will hardly be caucus precinct
where the issues will not be met and
fought to a finish. If things were
the way they were few years ago
it could be put down as a certainty
that the northern end of the state
would be anti-La Toilette, but the
day when the mill-owners and the
manufacturers can drive their men
up to vote according to dictation has
gone by, aud it more often occurs
that the common voters turn down
tn ir employees in the primaries.
The situation has led many to COM
ment that 'the day has come when
Jack is better than his MASTER 1t
is very doubtful whether the section
of the legislature in regard to the
Primary election scheme will be
much of a factor in the next contest
as the great masses have not at
tached very much Importance to the
proposed reform" But the de-
feat of the tax bills will be aired most
thoroughly, and it is bound to
count in the interests of the admin
istration. The New Wisconsin"
is distinctly anti-corporation and
it's sympathies are with the
Governor on that point The ninth
and tenth districts have been
''bloody fighting grounds" between
the La Folletteites and the ants for
the past six years, and the contest
next year will be more spirited than
ever. At the present time it would
appear as though the two factions
were pretty we'll divided as to the
administration. Some of the strong
est La Toilette newspapers have gone
over to the enemy, or are wavering
on the fence, but in the entire list
there is hardly new convert to the
Governors cause. It is matter of
common knowledge that the Cover
nor held the club of patronage over
such men as Senator E. G.. Mills, of
West Superior, and Assemblymen
OCOlSC LsOSoulou, VI ASulduO, duQ
thus handled the two leaders along
with many other members during
the last session. While there has
not been very much regret over the
failure of these two gentlemen to
land something, still it showed. to the
people phrase of character in the
Governor that was very disapoint-
ing to some of his former folio wers,
who were inclined to believe him a
reformer in political affairs, and who
are now free to include him as a
common politician" who is willing
to use most any means to gain his
point. The Governor hypnoti;
spell has been broken, and the most
damaging thing that has really |
happened to him was the speech of