Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-02-28
contracts as to candidates and plat

contracts as to candidates and plat
| form.
! This is a critical time and a crucial
! test. 1t rises above and beyond party
If the organization cannot survive hav
ing its methods and it's policies con
trolled by the general public, then il
is time that that party should be de
stroyed. 1t has in it that which is
| good, we need not concern ourselves
| over it's welfare under the system now
proposed.
I'VE. all firmly believe in party plat
forms and policies, and that they will
speedily adjust themselves to changed
conditions is the history of govern
ments. No mere change in methods
OF representation will affect the ex
istence of any party. From the very
nature of the case every party will
NOW have to rely upon the record OF
its promises and be judged by the
standard of honest performance.
Asked to Vote for Principle.
You are asked to vote for principle.
to right great political wrongs which
we all know to exist, to make impos
sible the selection of a coroner in
Wisconsin by methods which give the
highest Offices to Montana, to mark
out the way of political advancement
for those states of the Union which
are watching for the result of your
deliberations. This opportunity to be
pioneers IN political reform will como
10 you but once. If you shrink from
the responsibility, the stencil of I'M
saVory politics which today offends
the nostrils of the American people
will cause some other commonwealth
to assume the task which you reject.
You have just memorialized con
gress and have asked for the right to
selct U. S. senators by a direct vote
OF the people. This is the trend Of
popular sentiment throughout the
country today and is only part of the
grand plan which is sure to be con-
summated replacing in the hands,of
the people that power which under
different conditions they relinquished
IN the early days of our government.
1t is claimed the effect of the pri-
mary election will be revolutionary in
politics. It is rather a revulsion of
popular sentiment against wrongs
which have too long gone unchal-
lenged.
Giving full credit to the criticisms
which are now being directed against
it we must remember that they are
largely directed against certain phases
Of the law rather than against the
principle for which it stands.
Honest criticism you should invite
but it is useless to temporize with
those who cloak their designs to de-
stroy under the gUise of an effort to
correct. Open opposition is more
honorable than covert attacks. Do
not mistake the voice of a few dis
credited leaders for the voice Of the
people, nor the TRADES of their printed
mouth pieces for the unspOken senti-
ment of rural districts. No one man
can assume to speak for all but you do
know, your constituents demand the
overthrow of the present corrupt
-ystem. Do not apply the legislative
! tcissors too vigorously. When it is
'emembered that the general election
s usually a ratification of the conven-
TONS s-a.;5sa, euSsy amendment that
serves to perpetuate acknowledged
wills should be subjected to the same
aalOus scrutiny with which you would
protect the sanctity of the ballot.
Give to the people the law you have
Promised them in delegate conven-
tiOn-you Of the majority party. Give
o them the Individual political free
lom Of action which this law contem-
}iates. If it legislates some good
len out of Office it will in like manner
2gfslate some good men in. Vote for
this law. Then say to your constit,
uents that you have given back those
lights which they relinquished half 2
entUry ago. And if they do not at
nee appreciate the priceless jewel
7hich you have returned to theiF
| Eeeping, go forth armed with the
knowledge, that, when weighed by the
tandard of the great emancipation, it
5 better to be right and consistent
han to be legislator.