Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-05-21
WISCONSIN SOLONS.

The Hagemeister primary bin was We
toed by Gov La Toilette on Friday. As
this would appear strange to those VINO
remember the vigorous statements which
the Governor made on the question OF
the election of candidates by direct vote
of the people, he sent to the Senate
long message explaining his position de
states that the measure is only drawn up
TO throw ridicule upon the very question
which it. appears to support, and that
while it provides for primaries as the
platform originally desired, it so inserts
obstacles in the way as to be valueless.
The chief executive also complains that
its provisions are so loose as to be uncon-
stitutional in that it provides for its op-
Grafton only so far as county elections are
concerned. Furthermore, it is presented
that several of the large cities of the
State when called upon to vote on the
question have no election at the time
specified and therefore would be dis
franehised. The Senate reconsidered its
vote on the bill taxing ice shipped out of
the State 10 cents a ton, and advanced
it to third reading.
In his message vetoing the Hagemeis-
ter act Gov. LaFollette said: "lmmedl'
ately upon the organization of the Legis-
lature, many weeks before any bill was
offered upon the subject of primary
elections, it was boastingly announced
and published that one of its branches
had been so organized as to defeat the
passage of any primary election legisla-
ton. Before the introduction of the prl-
mary election bill an attempt was made
to arouse distrust concerning it, and to
thoroughly discredit the measure in adj
vance. Upon its presentation to the
Legislature-so framed as to comply with
the pledge made to the people of the
State-a systematic campaign of misrep-
resentation of the bill and its support
ers was induStriously prosecuted. The
general purpose of the measure, the plain
meaning of its provisions, the certain eff
feet of the law in opera IN, the neces-
sary and reasonable e, ense, each and
all furnished theme for persistent falsi-
6cation and malicious assaults. With the
defeat of the original bill the friends of
primary elections offered to pass the
measure subject to approval by the peo-
pie. This the opposition refused. A fur
Their concession was then offered, apply
ing the primary election to municipal,
county and legislative offices. This the
opposition refused. 4 last effort was then
made to submit the limited bill to vote
of the people, This the opposition re
jected. And after having refused 20 pass
the bill promised, and having refused =
let the people pass upon it, a mockery OF
platform pledges and judicious iegisla-
ton alike is offered in the form Of
bill which l am unable to approve.
cannot divest myself of the binding char
acter of my official obligation-not in any
narrow partisan sense-but to all the peo
pie of the State, which forbids my shar
ing in the responsibility of giving then
law which violates that obligation ant
is manifestly so framed as to bring re
proach upon the principle even if it were
at all possible to interpret or enforce it
The bill is wanting in specific provisions
as to many important details WHICH can
not be supplied by conjecture or judicia
legislation Should it become the law o.
the State, it will be imperative fOr thi:
reason alone: By the provisions Of this
bill its passage by the Legislature Will
executive approval does not enact it int
law. 1t is especially provided that i
shall not take effect, and have the force
of law until submitted for adoption o.
rejection at the spring or municipal cleo
tion of 1902. While the Legislature coulC
have given it the force of law with the
approval Of the executive without cOndi
ton, it has not seen fit so to do, but has
required before it shall become law tina
it shall be approved by a majority of the
legally qualified electors of the Who'll,
State. 1t is not county option bill
At least, it is safe to assume that thu
Legislature did not intend to disfranchis
any voting precinct in the State on thu
question. 1t cannot be assumed to b.
| the legislative intent to exclude the cleo
tors of any voting precinct in the Stat
from the right to vote on the question o.
the adoption or rejection of the proposed
law The time of the submission by the
|, wording of the referendum is, the sprini
or municipal election of 1902 There j!
no provision in the bill for calling Of
noticing any election other than such a.
is now provided for by law. So that il
there be a single voting precinct in the
State where no spring or municipal cleo
ton in the year 1902 is to be held, the
question is not submitted to all of tn,
electors of the State; and as to each anl
every precinct in VIII III no spring or mu
nicipal election is to be held in that year
the electors of such precinct are deprived
of a voice or a vote on this subject anC
are necessarily DISTINGUISHED"