davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-02-28
nent part of our political machinery.
Yours truly,
Wyman Partridge & Co.

All the letters are addressed to Mr.
Z. r. Stevens who presented the bill
in the assembly.
The next letter is from the largest
glass house in the twin cities, Fore
man, Ford & Co., who say under the
same date:
Minneapolis, Mimi, Feb. II, 1901.
E. R. Stevens, Madison, Wis.
Dear Sir:-In reference to the pri-
mary election law as recently passed
in this state, we wish to say that the
same meets With our approval and
that Of the business public generally.
1t was given a fair trial at the last
election and we think is vast i'm
provement over the old system. We
are heartily in favor of this new
method of handling our elections.
Very truly yours,
EcY1 e. N
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-02-28
From Defeated and Successful candi
dates

1 oates.
| Mr.. Gray was re-nominated by the
democrats for mayor, last fall. but de-
| feated by DR.. Ames. He says:
Minneapolis, Mimi, Feb. 18th. 1901.
Mr.. E. r. Stevens. Madison, Wis.
Dear Sir
I have your request for a statement
regarding the primary election of
Hennepin county and in reply would
say that the law is quite satisfactory
20 me as it stands. If any amendment
is needed it is in the direction of max
ing the law general and in a provision
Tor guarding the primaries of each
party so as to exclude the voters of
other parties from participating. This
might be obtained by holding the pri-
maries on different floors or on differ
ent days.
Our law provides for republican
and democratic ballots and provided
that the voter must choose between
them or-if he split his ticket. only the
one on which he voted the greater
number of names should be counted.
am satisfied that the election Judges
made many mistakes on this class OF
ballots, counting, first, the majority
ballot and then going back and count
ing the minority ballot also. This was
clearly against the intent of the law
but was never Investigated officially
and no nomination contests were in
stituted. The advantages of the Law
are manifest. Delegates conventions,
trading and corruption are absolutely
out of the question. AS far as candi-
dates are concerned the law is expen-
sive. 1t, means two complete cam
paigns before the people but this is
minor consideration. l believe in the
law as bringing the nomination OF
public officers home to the people.
Yours very respectfully,
James Gray, Ex-Mayor.
Mayor Ames, the successful candi-
date, writes as follows:
February u, 1901.
j. A. Frear, Esq, Hudson, Wis.
Dear Sir:-Your request for my i'm
pressions on the new primary election
law as it is operative in this city and
county has been received.
In the first place | will say that I
am heartily and enthusiastically in
favor Of this law as / believe it is
thoroughly in sympathy with the
spirit and purpose of our fundamental
law. 1t brings the servants of The
people into close relations with them.
The people, themselves, have a direct
voice in selecting the men whom they
wish to honor with their SURFACES. AS
a practical expression of pure demoC-
racy think it as apt as present condi.
lions will allow. 1t makes the voters
responsible for the kind Of govern
ment which prevails. 1t breaks up
machine politics, and makes every
voter as interested in the selection of
candidates as in the election of Off
GERS.
1t is law which l have for years
been laboring to see written upon the
statute books of this. state, and In
time l look for it's adoption by all the
more progressive and up-to-date com
monWealths Of the country When
that condition is reached | believe we
will have heard the last Of corrupt
politics, ring rule and the triumph Of
corporate over individual interests.
Trusting that the great common
wealth of Wisconsin will view with
favor this meritorious law, | am,
Yours respectfully,
Your obediant servant,
A. A. Ames, Mayor.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-02-28

Mr.. F. D. Brown is a Wisconsin
boy, a prominent attorney of Minnes.
polls, and one of the most experienced
in his speciality, insurance law, in the
West. He says:
Minneapolis, Feb. II, 1901.
E. r. Stevens, Esq, Madison, Wis.
Dear Sir:-In response to your re-
quest that | express my views with
reference to the Hennepin county pri-
mary election law, I would say, that
in the first place there can be no
question whatever, but that the mass
of the people of this city are not only
we'll satisfied with it's workings here,
but that they are warmly and en-
Enthusiastically in favor of the law. At
the primaries held in this city last
September a remarkably large vote
was polled, and | know that in my own
precinct a very large number of vot-
ers, who very rarely, if ever, attended
caucuses, came out and voted at the
primary election. | think that the can.
didates selected by the different par.
ties were on the whole, better than
the candidates usually selected by the
convention, and it is undoubtedly true,
that the candidates selected, whether
good or bad, were the choice Of the
people and this in itself made the re-
suit very satisfactory.
/ think that it is a significant fact
that out of all the candidates selected
not single candidate of the dominate
party was defeated. Heretofore this
has not always been the result for it
has frequently happened that the can
didate selected by the city or county
convention was repudiated by the
people at the polls.
SO it is manifest, it seems to. me,
that whatever the result was, with ref
erence to the qualifications OF the
candidates selected, they were in
every instance the choice of the polit-
zeal party by which they were selected
and all of this has tended, as you may
imagine, to give very good satisfaction
10 the people.
Some Of our politicians do not feel
SO well satisfied with the results oh
tanned, but one Of the strongest indi-
cations of the favor in which the law
is held il the fact that none Of these
dissatisfied politicians have ever
dared to openly express any dissatis
faction with the law or make any
movement towards it's repeal.
Yours truly,
T. d. Brown,
Attorney-at-LaW.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-02-28
1t Gives Better Officers.

The letter from Mr.. James Peterson
is from an ex-county attorney, present
assemblyman and one who has served
several terms in that position. He
refers particularly to local affairs.
Minneapolis, Mimi, Feb. II, 1901.
E. r. Stevens.
Dear Sir:-In accordance with your
request | am pleased to make the fol
lowing statement concerning the work.
ings of the new primary election law
in this county.
We have had trouble in this city fol-
years to nominate and elect good men
to our city council. Last fall under
this law it can be safely said that VIC
elected more clean good aldermen
than we have ever done before at one
election. The result of this law will
undoubtedly be to elect much cleaner
and better men to our city council
There are many features Of this law
that are very commendable
Yours sincerely,
Jas. A Peterson.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-02-28

A letter from David G. Bell, treas
urer of Henrepin county, follows. Mr.
Bell informed me that he had never
been an active politician but his
friends persuaded him to run at the
primary election. He said they visited
every ward of the city and acquainted
the voters with all the candidates.
This insured the phenomenal vote
which was polled at the primary.
Minneapolis, Mimi, Feb. II, 1901.
E. r. Stevens, Esq, Madison, Wis.
My Dear Sir:-I desire to express
my deep interest in the progress of
the legislation now pending in your
state, looking to giving your people
the benefits Of the primary election
law.
You have doubtless been made
aware of the experiment made in this
county at the last November election
Without giving it's particulars at
this time l may say in general that it
fully met the expectations of it's most
ardent advocates.
1t proved in experience an alto
gether practical and beneficent meas
ure; as much so as the Australian bal.
lot. Our people would no more think
of surrendering the one than the other
The people of our entire state are
now demanding it and are more than
likely to get it this winter.
Very sincerely yours,
David c. Bell
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-02-28

Judge Kerr writes in the same vein
as follows:
February II, 1901.
Ar. Frear, County Attorney, Hudson
Wis.
My Dear Mr.. Frear:-Concernin
The primary election law now and for
he past two years in force in Henne-
dn county, | would say, that I was
heartily in favor of the enactment of
his law and am as heartily in favor
u its retention. Like many other in.
}oVatlons, it has not proved as abso-
lutely satisfactory as it's admirers
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-02-28


believe in the ufmen platform
ation
Primary
faVor the Assembly
*mary Election
-.
The representative., 1901-01-24

pected in the prize ring or on the dueling
field. They are simply educating the future
officers of the United States army to in
dulge in cowardly and treacherous prac-
tices. There is nothing manly or edifying
about the shazing code at West Point 1t
is as vicious in It's standards as in its
results. The hazing practice should be
abolished.-Chicago Tribune.
West Point is fast gaining reputa-
ton that few educational institutions
would wish to have.
II the present state of affairs con-
tinues there much longer it will soon be
a place where parents will send their
bulldogs, rather than their SONS. II the
foregoing Is not overdrawn, it would
seem already a place more fit for bull
dogs than young men.
The present curriculum of the insti-
tuition is certainly better adapted to de-
veloping the brute in man than to int
proving his mind. After all, 1t may be
a necessary preparation for the work
expected of these cadets later in the
Philippines. 1t doesn't require great
courage to shoot a Filipino on the run.
Men educated in brutality are less likely
to revolt when called upon to crush lib
erty. They will the more readily obey
superiOrs; stamp out human lives and
ask no questions. E. A. T.
The representative., 1901-01-24
NOT SINCE 1895.

Since the last issue of the Representa-
tive has reached it's destination, we
have received calls for bundles of sam
pie copies from Austin, Albert Lea,
Slayton, Avon, Balaton, Alden, Avoca,
Iyle. Grand Meadow and Hayfeld,
Mimi; Cylon, Wis; Window, Heron
Lake, Blooming Prairie, OwatOnna AMI
Mankato, this state, besides over 300
calls for single copies.
This certainly looks as though some
OF the friends of the paper were we'll
pleased with last weeks issue. Such
a deluge of calls for samples has not
come to this paper since 1896, when the
paper made its phenomenal growth.
Some of the old-liners are waking up
again to the support Of reform and their
reform paper. Someone appreciates the
Representative. Some of our former
friends, grown tired of party division,
are coming back to their old love.
Some of our readers believe the cause
of reform cannot be safely entrusted to
Democratic papers. This weeks calls
suggests to us the idea of calling upon
every one of our earnest and interested
readers to send us in list of names
of residents in your vicinity who stand
for some measure of reform.
1t matters not to us whether they are
Populists of one brand or the other. II
they are Bryan Democrats, Silver Re-
publicans or Socialists, all the more
they need this paper; we will not abuse
them, we will labor with them, We will
take pains with them, we will make for
this paper new friends. Send in your
list of names and we will send them
samples. You push the button and we
will do the rest. E. A. T.
The representative., 1901-01-24

and not satisfied with those organiza-
tiers that they k1ve helped to build, if
they feel that they have in some in
stances fallen among publicans and sin
'ners, If they fhfilQ their leaders are not
toteing fair or their officers not prop
erly looking kaft9r farmers interests,
these farmers should not for these
reasons seek t0stear down the whole
structure. Thefthing builded is theirs.
Their votes made and can destroy it.
They should, finder such circumstances.
clean house. ikts,is always in order to
clean house; cleanliness is next to
Godliness. Like the old Populist party,
their motives and principles and OBJ
jects are all right, their methods may
need tinkering. Save the organizations
il you have to occasionally fumigate
In this weeks issue we print articles
showing that in Minnesota and Wiscon-
sin there is still life in farmers So
cieties.
This work should proceed; farmers
meetings should be called all over the
Northwest. There are thousand topics
OF deep interest for discussion. Turn
the meetings into debating clubs. Take
referendum votes on important ques-
tions, get small circulating library
started, any farmer may start such a
movement and he will be surprised at
the results of a single winters work
E. A. T.
The representative., 1901-01-24
hands of the money power.

hands Of the money power.
! T. v. Powderly was for years pow
er among the unions, and did his full
share to keep the unions out Of politics,
until a few years ago. His followers
discovered the secret strings that con-
trolled his actions, and then he deserted
labor and boldly went over to his plu-
tocratic friends. Other leaders Of
American labor have followed SINH
lar course. In light of these facts the
words Of Peter Curran, a prominent
English labor leader, should give hope
to American labOrers.
He comes out squarely for public own
ership, in an article under that caption
found in another column.
This article is brief but to the point,
and all should read it.
He believes the only strike that can
win is at the ballot box and has the
good sense to see that we can never get
reform by voting the same old ticket
with our masters. When will American
labor see this self-evident proposition
e. A. 7.
The representative., 1901-01-24
WEST POINT HAZING ETHICS.

The most vicious feature of the hazing
at West Point lies in it's bullying spirit.
1t is this. that justifies the strong Outburst
OF indignation in the senate regarding the
abuses among the cadets. AS one of the
senators remarked. the standards of the
prize ring are higher than those of the West
Point haZers This point brought out
by Congressman briggs in his examination
of one Of the cadets, as shown in the fol-
lowing question and answer:
Under your infamous and unmanly code
of fighting is it not understood that an
upper class man is selected especially for
the purpose OF administering sound drub-
bing to the fourth class man who is called
out?"
''Yes, sir. it is understood that when a
fourth class man is called out he is to be
whipped"
20! So that's the code?" said Mr.. briggs.
"Young man, this dishOnorable practice
you have described would not be tolerated
in any athletic club In the world The up
per class man~who is party to the call
ing out of a fourth class man for the pur-
pose of having him thrashed is a coward -
The testimony of the cadets throughout
the military and congressional investiga-
ton has gone to show that young and weak
and untaught men are compelled to fight
older and stronger men who know the
boxers art. There is no element Of fair
ness in the haZing code. The object is to
see the fourth class man whipped. This is
business unworthy OF a cadet or gentle
man. 1t is simply educating these young
men in a code of cowardice and tends to
produce towards.
No pugilist OF standing ir the sporting
world would cOuntenance fight between
men who are unequaIly matched. Yet it
seems to he the custom ct West Point to
compel the under class cadets to fight men
with whom they are unequaly matched in
weight age ard skill. These contests have
rot aoShaiow o. the fairness which. Is cx-
The representative., 1901-01-24
OUR CARTOONS.

During the last campaign we received
several complaints about our using
cartoons purchased of the Minneapolis
journal.
These complaints were all based upon
the theory that because we got them
must therefore, be Republican cartoons.
We have seen whole brood of young
ducks following common barn yard
hen, but we did not for that reason call
goat that reared a pig, a calf and
pair Of twin lambs, and no one was ever
foolish enough to call all these animals
kids because found with the goat.
We measure our cartoon by the senti-
ment they express, and not by the poll
tics of the paper where we find them.
This paper has opposed the Demo-
cratic party and it's candidates, and if
we found in the Republican magazines
any better ammunition than our own,
we have not hesitated to buy and use 1t.
We have used against the enemies of
reform the hottest shot that we could
find in the market. No cartoon ever
used in these columns has ever been in
any manner inconsistent with the edi-
torial sentiments of the Representative.
Among newspaper men everywhere
the Journal is recognized as having
the best cartoonist in the Northwest.
when judged from the standpoint of
either their telling hits or their artistic
execution.
We believe the large majority of our
readers appreciate these works of art
Many Of them make point more fore
IDLY than we could do in a column arti-
Gle and at one-half the cash expense
tO us.
Until complaints become more numer-
Gus we expect to continue the use OF
these cartoons.
II, in the future, some benighted read
er should be unable to distinguish ducks
from chickens, or pigs from goats,
card addressed to this Office might bring
relief. r. A. L.
The representative., 1901-01-24
Read our great premium offer ON
front pnge. Some ads prove both in
terestinE and profitable reading.
FARMERS SOCIETIES.

There seems to be a general sentiment
in country districts in favor of some
kind of farmers organization. 1t is
we'll understood that farmers live a sort
of isolated and lonely life, so far as So
cial advantages are concerned. Many
farmers are great readers, but this is a
slow way after all for a perfect inter-
change of ideas in the country.
Farmers organizations meet this So
cial want. The Grange. the Alliance and
all the various grain growers, cotton
growers and cattle growers societies
have all done much to get farmers to-
gether for a profitable interchange Of
thought 1t is natural when farmers
get together at these meetings that poll
tics, and especially reform politics,
should claim a share of their attention
These educational considerations have
led the Representative to always advo-
cate some form of farmers organiza-
tions. The Farmers Alliance was the
corner stone upon which the Peoples
party was built We believe the sue
cess of reform depends largely upon this
oral interchange of reform ideas. The
largest circulation of reform papers and
books was when these Alliances were
most prosperous.
For the foregoing reasons we favor
any plan for organizing farmers.
If some few farmers are discouraged
The representative., 1901-01-24
RESOLUTIONS
st. Paul, Minnesota.

At meeting, held in the town OF
Silver Creek, Wright county, Minn., by
the members of the old Farmers AL
lance and Middle-of-th the Road Popu-
lists, the following resolutions were
adopted:
Whereas, 1t has pleased our Heavenly
Father to remove from this world the
Hon. Ignatius Donnelly, the benefactor
OF mankind, who was the champion to
fight the battles of the common people
against plutocracy; therefore,
Be 1t Resolved, That we extend our
sympathies to his bereft family and to
his friends: and
That he shall always be remembered
by us as leader, friend, advisor and
defender of our rights and, although he
passed away, he shall always be alive
in our memories.
And Be 1t Further Resolved, That we
send one copy of these resolutions to his
,bereaved wife and one to the Represent
ative for publication.
PAUL KENNEDY,
D. D. VANDERGON,
IL. NELSON,
]. ]. NANDERGON,
GEO. MEINTSMA,
H. VANDERGON,
JAMES OLOUGHLIN,
N. SCHERMER,
N D. VANDERGON,
Dated, Silver Creek, Mimi, Jan. II.
The representative., 1901-01-24
EDITORIAL COMMENT
-ON-
"The Pioneer Limited"

Nothing richer has ever been pro.
duced by any railroad"
ST. PAIL Pioneer Prsea
''It's world beater." So. Psxl oz.a.
''The best thing the railroad world
can Proouce. Sc. PssI DistafeA
"Prominent and discrimin atine peopIe
marvel at the creation of elegance and
comfort wrought by modern car build.
ers.'' -M;.r..Aoh. 1.x....
''The PIONEER LIMITED stands today
perfect In construction, gorgeous in finish
and the acme of luxury and comfort"
-AiasestsAs Jo.~sax
'The closest inspection bewilders and
takes the breath away, for the mapnif.
icence and beauty of it all is simply tre.
mendOus." -N,..,A.n.
The PIONEER LIMITED leaves Minn>
apolis at 1880 and St Paul at 6:lO every
evening in the year for Milwaukee and
Chicago. via Chicago, Milwaukee q St
Paul Railway. (No extra charge on
this train.)
For tickets, berths or Information. m.
ply to aEy ticket agent, or address.
J. T. CONLEY.
Asst Genr Pass. Agt.,
St. Paul. Nina.
The representative., 1901-01-24
r NOTICE TO FARMERS

At the International Congress o1
| Agricultural associations Of the world
the 10th day of February, 1901, was de-
signated as farmers day" throughout
the world.
On this day it is the object and pur-
pose to have farmers gather at theil
local school houses and places Of meet
ing. and discuss ways and means to ad-
vance and defend the interests of the
farmers of the world.
| The American farmer is called upon
to take heed of this call
At the meeting of the supreme coun-
! Gil Of the Allied National Agricultural
associations of America represented
the following seven great national So
cieties: American Fruit Growers asso-
/ citation, National Cotton Growers Co
! operative association, Farmers Alliance
and Industrial union, National Grain
! Growers Association of America, Farm
|. ers' Federation of the Mississippi Val
| ley Rational Farmers League OF
America and American Live Stock Rails
ers association.
every farmer into a township So
| ciety Of any of the above named So
cieties
Each meeting will decide the society
they desire to affiliate with. and organ
ize society.
Posters, literature, lecturers, etc. will
be furnished on application to the
Headquarters Of the allied associations.
Each association is requested to Sc
cure subscriptions for the Representa-
tive, which may become the official Or
gan of the Allied Farmers societies, il
satisfactory arrangements can be made
| with the new management succeeding to
the paper upon the probating Of Mr..
! Donnellys estate!
Active and vigorous work is now to be
inaugurated to organize throughout the
nation, and especially in the Northwest.
There will be state conventions held
soon and we desire to secure as many
societies before the state call is issued
as possible.
We believe we can get couple of
railroads to give us train FREE for
our members to come to the convention.
Only those who are members and in
good standing will be admitted to free
train or convention. and none but farm
ers will be eligible. Organize your To-
cal society and come to the convention.
For information address,
j. c. HANLEY,
President Allied Farmers Societies.
400 Baltimore Blk, st. Paul. MINI.