Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1901-10-31

his capacity for party leadership. The
Republicans in the legislature met the
governor in the same spirit that brought
about the harmony which led TO his
nomination and election. Even Mr..
Hangers appointment as tax commits
sioner, although Objectionable to ma
jority of the Republican senator's, was
unanimously confirmed upon the
ground that the governor was justified
4 il taking care Of his friends.
Unfortunately. the conciliatory atti-
tude Of the Republican legislators was
not reciprocated by the governor Tn
like the Republican predecessors, he
repealed those who could not agree
with him in everything, and chose his
advisers and counsellors exclusively
from his partisan following, and in
general inaugurated new departure
/ in the customary and constitutional
relationship between the legislature
and the executive.
The ante-eleetion harmony which
Gov. LaFollette had so strenuously
sought and which had made his nomi-
nation and election possible, had
served its purpose. For his post cleo
ton purposes which, among other
things. embraced combination aiming
at the seats of Senators Spooner and
Quarles. he preferred the harmony
which characterized the relations be
tween the tribes of the original Ameri-
cans the harmony with "A tomahawk
in the other fellows head
III this spirit lac framed or caused to
be framed under his immediate direc-
ton and in absolute conclusion, the so
called Stevens primary election bill
With its introduction in the legislature
the broad hint went forth that its pass
age without change or modification of
any one of the thirty nine sections, in
any material point, would be insisted
upon 4 majority Of the Republican
members Of the legislature looked up
on this unprecedented proceeding in
amazement They looked upon many
of the features of the bill as being un-
wise impractieable and as tending
rather to aggravate than lessen the
evils the bill pretended 10 abate. With
a sense of sponsibility to their party
and the people, they exhausted every
means in their power to reach an hon
orable understanding with the Cover
nor, which in good faith would redeem
the party's pledges and have the unit
ed appreciation and support of the par
". Every proposition in this direction
the governor rejected. even that of sub
hitting the question to vote of the
people. In their opposition to the bill
the members of the legislature but vim
Dictated their constitutional preroga-
tives, and their own sense of duty.
The substitute bill which they finally
passed was returned by the governor
with the veto message which has no
parallel in the history of legislation.
4 majority of the Republicans in the
legislature. believing the course Of the
governor revolutionary and contrary
70 the traditions Of the party and ma
iority rule. entered their protest and
gave their reasons therefor They be-
lieved the governors course to be in
emulation of Andrew johnson rather
than of Lincoln and Mckinley. An
drew Johnson. believing himself a
Moses. had a policy of his own which
he sought 70 force upon the country,
He boldly autagoniZed and deiied con
gress and the almost unanimous senti-
meut of the Republican party, which
had elected him. His party caused his
impeachment and he would have been
ousted from his high office but for the
attitude of seven out of forty-two Re
publican senators. Johnson was one
If those men possessed OF the illusion
that they are wiser than their contem-
poraries and, mistaking himself for
principle. passed into oblivion. Did
the term faction at that time apply
10 the Republican majority in congress
or 10 Johnson and his following? ON
the other hand, the Republican league
like Lincoln, Mckinley and Roosevelt,
believes in the party and that the way
10 serve il is not TO attempt to destroy
II. that in every constitutional govern
ment parties and not men rule. 1t
stands for the traditions as eXempii-
fed 10y the great leaders of the party.
Lincoln chose his rivals as his cabinet
advisers aud counseled as freely and
readily with Simon Cameron aud Thur
low Weed as With Charles Sumner and
Horace Greedy Following the exam
pie Of his illustri9as predecessor. the
lamented Mex nley also considerably
deferred 20 every shade of opinion in
tn" party, lid in consequence was as
successful as Lincoln was in plotting
the country III peace and war, and he
has taken his place al the side of his
immortal prototype in the niche of
fame President Roosevelt, with the
same faith in his party, follows the
same path. and, with united party
upholdiug him. his administration will
bring additional glory 10 the country
and increased confidence in the Re
publican party The Republican
league stands for Independence of