Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-04-18

substitute to the Miller bill, said that
it had been his constant effort to avoid
a conflict. He felt that all legislation
therefore he had offered his substi-
tnte, and therefore having withdrawn
that one he would now offer an amend
ment to the Hagemeister bill He did
not believe the conservative people of
the state wanted a primary law. He
was of German parentage, was born in
Wisconsin as was his father before
him, and he believed that he knew the
sentiment of large per centage of
the people of the state He did not
believe that the question was any
longer one of principle but one of per-
sonality and faction.
Senator Martin, speaking long, ably
and in polished phrase, said he did not
want Wisconsin to follow Minnesota
in the matter of primary elections.
He felt that this state should lead. If
the primary law had been found
good thing in Minnesota, he wanted
Wisconsin to go the gopher state one
better and pass the Stevens bill He
thought it was time that we laid aside
the skill acquired in the packing of
caucuses and the manipulation of con-
ventions and restored to the people
their rights in politics. To the
charge that there was no demand for
primary elections, he replied be re-
viewing the history of the pre-con
ventiOn campaign of last faIls saying
that the people wanted Governor La
Toilette because he stood for some
thing. For years, the present execu-
tive had written and spoken on many
occasions, of the principle involved
in the Stevens bill He had spoken
sometimes in cities. and many times
at county fairs, but in all instances
his speeches were published in many
papers and sent broadcast
over the state Governor La
Toilette, Mr.. Martin said, had been
nominated and elected because he
stood for primary elections.
Senator Riordan, like Senator
Kreutzer had hoped for party har-
mony. He was ready to support a
reasonable compromise He was not
prepared to say that primary elections
were a bad thing, but that was his
judgment; therefore he would not
vote to force them on any county but
would support the Hagemeister sub
stitute when it had been SO amended
as to carry the referendum.
words, saying that he should vote fer
the Stevens bill, because he believed
it was right and felt under obligation
to keep faith with his constituents.
Senator Whitehead's speech in clos
ing was one of the ablest ever heard
said he had been face to face with
this bill for three months and was
honestly opposed to it after having
given it the closest study and careful
consideration. He did not feel bound
by the party platform to be so radical
as the Stevens BILL He held that
conventions did not have the force of
law, but that legislatures had and the
action of the lawmaking body was
more serious thing than the declara-
ton of convention. If the delegates
in convention in their enthusiasm had
gone too far, the legislators did not
need to follow them. In a mastery
way and with forceful logic he re-
viewed the growth of election reforms.
He insisted that there was absolute
good in no system, that all good was
in the men. He believed that the sys-
tenn propoN,d in the Stevens bill was
such that it would be broken down by
bad men.
In ringing speech embellished with
many funny stories, Senator McGilliv-
ray closed the debate. He appealed
to all to keep their promise to the peo-
pie and pass law that was sincere
effort to give the citizens a direct vote
in nominating party candidates.
Senators Miller, Hatton, Weed and
each explained their
they had to offer. Sen
ator Weed thought that the judiciary
ought to be included under the pri
mary election plan, so he offered an
to that effect but it was
voted down Is to 8. Senator Hatton
in explaining his proposition stated
that he had tried to be fair in the mat
ter from start to finish. He saw what
the differences were between the OPP
posing factions and it seemed to him
hat they could get together on his
as compromise. When
Senator Miller introduced his amend
nent which attached the referendum
20 the Stevens bill, he said the friends
If the administration were not afraid
If the people. The referendum had |
lot been added before, because after |
he bill had passed the assembly, it's |
friends in the senate were in duty |
BOUND to secure votes on it. Now, |
lie said, was the time for compro- |
Mise.
WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE.