The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1901-05-02
The Grand Finale.

The primary election law, which
has occupied so much time during the
present session of the Legislature, is
in fair way to be finally disposed OF.
The Assembly amendment to the
Hagemeister bill goes to the Senate
direct, and will doubtless be rejected
by that body without very much dis
cussion. This will throw the respon-
sibi1ity back OIL the Assembly where 1t
belongs, and will either result IN the
passage of the Senate bill, or the
whole matter will be referred to con-
ference committee, where it will ex-
pire a natural death.
From the standpoint of good poll
tics, good policy or common sense, the
prolonged discussion of the primary
law, and the bitterness that it has en-
gendered, will be considered not only a
waste of time, but the abuse of oppor-
tnnities that should have been devoted
to important business.
Under the guise of reform the bill
has been held before the people and so
thoroughly ventilated, that the last
vestige of reform has been stripped
from it, and the true intent of the
measure stands out SO prominently,
that he who runs may read. Control
of the next Legislature is the sole and
only object of the measure.
While this ambition may be 1aud-
able, and perhaps harmless, yet the
people at large do not consider it OF
enough importance, to desire the pas
sage of a measure so revolutionary in
Character, as the Stevens bill, or the
Assembly substitute.
1t is among the possibilities that
Senator John c. Spooner may not de-
sire to succeed himself, and in that
event, it is perfectly natural that as
piring candidates should desire to
pave the way for a successful cam
paign, but the Republican party in
the state is not yet satisfied that Mr.
Spooner may not be pursuaded to re-
main in the senate, and if he can be,
Republican sentiment favors keeping
him where he is.
The primary election 1aws' might not
interfere with Mr.. Spooner's re-elec-
ton, but it would certainly be OF no
ben eft to him, and might make it nee
cessary for his friends to do great
deal of political work that could other
wise be avoided.
Senator Spooner is not suffering for
a primary law, the state'is not pin
ing for it, and large una jority of the
people don't wait it.
The Hagemeister bill gives every
county in the state aniZopportunity
to say whether they want the law as
4 reform measure, and if it is found
that a majority favor it, the next leg
islature can act intel1igently, and
without friction. 1t is one of the
cases where it pays sto make haste
slowly, and this the Senate thoroughly
understands.
Governor LA Toilette is serving his
first term as Governor. Il his admin
istration is satisfactory there is
every reason why he should succeed
- himself. The Hon. Isaac Stephen
son possesses ambition and wealth,
and is a bright, genial old gentleman,
but the people of the state shave not
yet reached a point where .they are
ready to say, that he is better quail
fed as a representative in the Senate,
than the Hon. John G. Spooner.
The primary 1awsis all right in the
ory, and it's early promoters were
doubtless sincereIi in urging it as
reform measure, bnt itspossesses great
possibilities outside of reform, which
free discussion has brought to the sur
face, and which are too dangerous for
party safety 'or welfare.
AS a reform measure the governor
will lose nothing by the delay neces-
sary to test the law, however disap-
pointing it may be to Mr.. Stevenson,
and a little coterie of ambitious poll
ticiaus who are interested lin it as
political easure.-Janesville Gazette.