Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-02-28
THE OPPOSITION.
AONAHAN'S ARGUMENT RIDDLED
BY HON. L. H. BANCROFT,
JUDGE OF HIGHLAND COUNTY
Gentlemen of the Committee:

Gentlemen of the Committee:
I am not unmindful of the honor i'm
)iied by your patient willingness to
or Of great public Importance, on the
part Of one so ill-prepared to impart
Information relative to the subject I'M
Ter consideration. I am also fully
aware of tho rvneoding bad taste on
mSxe,T- Ig before you with
an apology. However, find some just
iication in the fact that my appear
2nce is involuntary, and entirely de-
yoid of any desire, or even willing
less upon my part to trespass upon
your valuable time. I come before you
n somewhat the same capacity as that
j. # a witness in court of justice. My
)resence in this city today was of
purely personal and business nature.
Because of the fact that l was dele
ate to the republican state conven-
ion in August, 1900, and because of
ne fact that the leading counsel for
he opposition, in his opening state
nent Of the case, has specifically
denied that the delegates either
favored or demanded that plank in the
platform of that convention, pledging
he republican party to the enact
nent Of a primary election law,
have been subpoenaed to appear before
Ou in the capacity OF witness, to
estify to the fact that the delegates
0 that convention were ''COmpos
nentis" and knew what they were do
lg when that platform was adopted.
In the opening statements made be-
'ore this committee by the Hon. H. G.
Adams and the Hon. Jas. G. Monahan.
concerning this proposed measure, the
merits Of the case, pro and con, have
)een very ably presented. Certainly
do not feel qualified to add anything
the claims made by Mr.. Adams, in
avoT of the enactment Of this party
pledge into statute law. On the other
hand, if the argument made by Mr..
Monahan, is the best that can be made
in opposition to this measure, there
remains no reason why this bill should
2ot be fayorably reported by this COM
nittee and speedily placed upon the
statutes of the state.
If this were an action in court should
1emur to the pleading filed by Mr..
Ionahan on the ground that 1t states
no cause Of action, and 1 believe
would be justified in moving for judg-
ment, on the ground of iss being
frivolous" y
confess that I feel some difidence
in thus characterizing the elaborate
and carefully prepared speech of the
very eminent and eloquent gentleman,
| whose silver tongue has such power to
charm, and whose reputation as an
orator has made his name renowned
III Wisconsin,; but if the truth must
be told, an more than surprised that
one so eminently well qualified to
plead the cause. should have given US
nothing but
Sound, and Fury, which signifeth
nothing"
1 feel justified in the assertion that
his presentation of the case does not
contain a single statement which
rises TO the dignity of an argument.
Mr.. Monahan prefaces his remarks
with statement, that his opposition
TO this measure is not inspired from
any higher source, and incidentally that
he has had no word on the subject
| either verbal Or in writing from either
| OF the eminent and honorable gentle
| men, who have the honor to represent
| the state Of Wisconsin in the senate
Of the United States. l have no doubt
of the truth OF this assertion. How.
| ever it seems to me to have been
both unnecessary and unwise to have
made it. His virtue would never
you make the individual voter a