The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1901-05-16

The Stevens primary election bill
was introduced into the Legislature
and it was found that there were some
features of it that were extremely o6-
iectionab1e to many in both Houses.
The objections were voiced and the
spirit in which they were received has
continued to characterize the support
of the Stevens primary election bill.
These objections were honest. They
were held by a great many people out
side of the Legislature. They were
brought out in the Legislature and in
the press in order that those who
thought differently might let the light
of their superior wisdom so shine as to
light the darkness for their less for
tunate brethren. And what was the
character of the enlightenment vouch-
safed by the friends of the Stevens
bill? They refused to consider the OBJ
iections in any spirit of fairness or
candor. They were hurled back in the
face of those who who offered them as
the chicanery of political truckers.
Their authors were accused of selfish
purposes and dark motives. SANDER
Gus insinuations and innuendos were
thrown about reck1ess1y. The objec-
tions were treated as if they had no
right to exist. The Opposition" was
served as though they had absolutely
90 %; r~i1+ ~ ,-aspaC+ or consideration
Where explanation was asked, accusa-
ton was given; where compromise
was sought after, only condemnation
was found; until finally, when all hope
been buried in hopelessl antagonism
and the only product of such a pande-
monium of contending forces had re-
ceived it's death stroke from the Gov
ernor, that magistrate himself sought to
make the last word in the controversy
one of condemnation and defamation
of those who were not of his opinion.
Now, on the floor of the Senate, that
body is denounced as subsidized
Senate, and certain of the papers of
the State take up the refrain. Says
the Evening Wisconsin:
EEThe street railway organs are max
ing a great ado because the Senate
passed a resolution censuring the Gov
ernor. Z he cenSure amounts to moth
ing, considering the source from which
it emanates. The Hagemeister fraud
originated in the Senate and is the
favorite baby of most of the Senators
who are old politicians and crafty
managers. We have been an active
factor in Wisconsin politics for fifty
four years, and we can justly say we
we never before witnessed such
swindle, such an abortion, such IN in
Sulting sham offered to the people as
an honest reform. The Senators
strove to perpetrate fraud upon the
people"
This is little less harsh than the
words employed by the Governor, but
is typical of the language and argu-
ment that has been favorite with the
friends of the Stevens bill from the
first aud has been consistently dealt
CRIT to the Opposition" whenever it
has had the temerity to run afoul of
the Governors wishes.
There is only one fit characterize
ton for such conduct, and that is cow
ardicd. If the opposition element in
the Senate is made up of men who are
capable of tempting or being tempted
with alluring forms of vice or going
Intoxicated, as the Governor charges,
so their sacred duties in the Senate
chamber; if there are men in that
chamber who are capable and guilty of
offering the people swindle and insult
ing sham for honest reform, or of per-
petrating fraud upon the people, as the
Evening Wisconsin charges, the Gov
ernor and the Evening Wisconsin are
cowardly and extremely remiss in
their duty IN that they do nor hold
these people up, in their individual
capacity, to the light and make their
charges specific and definite instead of
taking refuge in vague generalities
and insinuations.