Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-07-31
POLITICAL UNEASINESS
Caused by Newspapers; the Aver
age Man Not how In
terested.
INITIATION IN ORDER OF ELKs
Abe Awful sacred Egg" Ceremony
--75.OO Elks In 625 Lodges
Maps of wisconsin Valley.

Madison, Wis, July 30.-The news
papers have not LOSE their influence.
though Horace Greeley is dead. One
can see that In the political restless
ness. II 10 hot weather, and the av-
erage man Is not interested In poll
tics; the legislature Is eighteen months
away and the nearest convention
year away; there are no announced
candidates.. Nevertheless the Milwau-
kee and few other papers continue
to keep the political pot boiling. There
is no longer doubt that knot Of Mil
waukeeans, with some others, have
headquarters in that city with view
of-thats what there seems TO be
doubt about Ellis Usher says It's the
downfall Of Populism IN Wisconsin,
and he adds that the last Republican
platform is full of II. A few eau
tiously say it is a defensive movement
to safeguard the return of Senator
Spooner. And yet some OF the most
useful Spooner men In the state be-
lieye In giving their governor loyal
support while he holds Office. Person
ally. regard the movement as az at
lack direct on Governor LaFoliette.
The field is being scanned TO find the
right man to put up in opposition to
the governor. While there Is good
deal of personal luminosity to the gov
ernoF, this itself is not enough 10 ex-
plain the movement, for these antag
onists are Spooner mon and would, as
q rule, be content TO let the governor
have the second term, which precedent
allows him, provided Senator Spoon
er IS returned with practical unanim-
tty. In addition TO the influential indi-
yiduals who are sore" on the govern
or. there are large business interests
which dread his policies. They con-
troll some great newspapers and,
hence, the restlessness and bitterness.
Some of the best Spooner men are
not pleased with the joining OF issues.
[ EthAc mus " OFA htF 2kens
The reports of the free labor bu-
reaus at Milwaukee and Superior in
dicate the filling of 269 positions III
the first two weeks of operation. This
reads well, though such statistics must
be taken with caution in good times
like these. when 40 one who wants
work can avoid overtures to him. In
other words, man who applies for
work az the state bureau may have
work thrust upon him within five min
utes after leaving the office. | have
believed that the state could not rem
der enough service on this line to war;
rant the expenditure With consid,
cradle part Of 100000 population In
lterested in getting new Jobs, II not ac-
tive In searching for them, an office
here and there to bring a few en-
ployers and employees together has
seemed fragmentary and unscientiflc.
Some of the continental governments
which assume functions Of this sort do
1t successfully. but on a large scale
and as one feature OF paternalistie
system. However, there are genuine
abuses In :he private industry OF Gin.
telligence offices" and we know OF
no serious objection to a little Amer
lean tlnkering with the newish policy
OF states seeking to make life easier
for people.
The Elk. In Milwaukee.
The Elks, who carnlvalled last week
IN milwaukee, were founded as an or
der In 1868. 1t consists OF one grand
lodge and upward OF 625 sub-Iodges,
containing more than 10000 members
In the United States. Originally re-
cruited mainly from theatrical and rail-
road men. the order has found wide
favor and today its membership rep
resents all the professions and every
line OF business. The Madison lodge
numbers about 1870, and having pur-
chased lot on Monona avenue for
$4,000. the plan is to build a $4,000
clubhouse.
The order is made up of men whose
social side is strongly developed. It
is to be hoped the Newspaper en-
phasis laid on the canvivial habits of
the Elks is exaggerated. The practice
Of IL p. N. libation is sufficiently
unfriendly to home life without ex-
pansion under the discovery that Its
always IL o'clock somewhere"
The Funny but Severe Initiation.
The initiation OF the Elks is said to
be as severe as anything in the way
Of secret societies since the knights OF
the Golden Circle, a political organiza-
ton In war times One OF their prac-
tees was to slide man down thir.
~ feet OF creased oilcloth into a tank
OF water. But the Elks' fun Is rough
enough. Billy Lenox, who was Sc
cret service man for the ST. Paul road
he is dead now, poor fellow--ln-
vented the sacred egg" feature. 1t
is now reproduced in the Madison uni
yersity limitations, The neophyte was
bound with his hands behind him and
kneeled ut a throne. 1t was the most
solemn part OF the proceedings. Len
o. who had deep Impressive voice,
with pathetic touch to it. delivered
an essay on the egg, explaining its