Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-08-08
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF.

| mink tDdL liits arc b''"S - "
midst of events new to all human
history.
The struggle which has been on In
Wisconsin for two years 10 get RID OK
the evil effects Of the caucus system
of nominating political candidates, is
| not "A new one. The caucus and the
chance it gives to the political boss
to foist some political tool OF his own
upon the people, was once denounced
| by Daniel Webster in these words:
It is time to put an end to caucuses. They
make great men little and little men great:
| the true source of power is the people.
Go TO the people and convince them that
| their pretended friends are a knot of inter
| ested iobbers who make "a trade of patriotism
and live on popular credulity
How significantly and truly the
words of Webster apply to the Payne
and Pfister ring of politicians IN WIS
consin who have been fighting Gov
ernor LaFollette and the Primary
Election Law.
These politicians are found in both
parties.
For years Ed Wall, the Democratic
leader aud Henry G. Payne, the Re
publican oleo lobbyist, have beer in
political partnership. They nave
secretly framed both parties and di-
vided the spells between them in
various ways.
1t is no cause for wonder that men
like Payne, Wall and their ring OF
professional politicians in both par
ties should band together to down
the Primary Election law.
They can see more clearly than the
people see that it means making the
people. as Webster said, "the true
source OF power in the matter of
saving who shall be nominated for
office. The politicians are not blind,
but the people who follow them are
These smart, smooth ringsters have
pulled the wires in caucuses for ye0rs
IN every county reside local leaders
who rally the people whenever GER
tain schemes are to be worked. This
results in placing their tools III the
legislature. Through these tools
they accomplished their corrupt
schemes. II they have governor
and other state officers of their choos-
ing, SO much the better.
1t can be seen how the combina-
ton works when rich corporations
pay large money TO these leading
politicians to prevent laws from be-
| ing pas sed that shall compel them tc
pay their share of the taxes. Die
any man ever see II. c. Payne, EC
Wall, Charles pilster or any mem
Der of their elan before the legisla
ture asking tor legislation IN behal
of the people? Never, But many
times have they been seen there
working in the interest of wealthy
corporations aud against the people
Vet the rank and file have walkeo
up to the polls for years, like sheep
and voted for candidates for the leg
islature and state Offices whom these
corrupt lobbyists have selected
through the caucus system.
LaFollette sounded diiferen
bugle uetc. He stood for u reform
in the method OF selecting candi
dates. He believed the people were
as competent to nominate their can
didates by the Australian ballot a'
they are to elect them.
OF course all the old machine ring
sters will fight him. But will thu
people be fooled into supporting
these riugsters in the future as the!
have in the past? VIII they follow
local leaders who play into the hands
of the rngsters9
That's a question for the people
the farmers, mechanics and all hon
est citizens who love fair play anC
honest government to answer.
In,"The Care aud Culture OF Men,
President GORDON has the following
to say why the great mass of th'
people who bear the burdens of gov
eminent are not represented in tn
ma, l. i,,,, nf Ella, lnws.
las the corporations command the best ser
vice they often send as their attorneys able
men than the people can secure. And SO 1t ha
come about that demagogues and specig
agents make mp the body Of law makers, an
this ia both partic, alike,
Those whose interest lies In the direction 9
good government alone are too often unrcpr
scented"
Let every reader remember tina
fine struggle OF Governor LaFollett
is 10 set these demagogues ant
special agents" back and 50 estah
| lish a system of nominating caudi
dates who are the choice of til