Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-02-28

have given fourteen letters, pre-
senting all received and receiving all
but one requested. No explanation was
offered in the single instance why a
response was not given. So fas as
my investigation goes the sentiment
was unanimously in favor OF the law
a Personal Interview on the Law.
During my investigation in Minneap'
oils I met a gentleman familiar with
Wisconsin politics and discussed sew
eral of the objections urged against
primary elections. He assured me
that an overwhelming majority OF
the people were enthusiastic in their
praise Of the law, although admitting
that il might be subject to some minor
changes. What can you say with ref
erence to the city dominating the
country district in the selection OF
candidates? | asked him. Well, he
said, men are much alike the world
over for that was the way the city
politicians felt over our primary law
The city fellows, somehow, are always
anxious to care for the dear country
voters, just as they are over in Wis
cOnsin, and they control the OrganlZa
tions in much the same way they dc
over there The only time when they
appear ready to give up any thing is
when through jealousy of each other
they fall out. We have looked UP the
records ana find that for fourteen
years not a county official has been
chosen in Hennepin county outside CT
the city of Minneapolis. Out of over
one hundred possibilities of getting ar
office, counting the full number Of
candidates and terms of office, the
country districts have not secured
even a crust
"The country vote outside the city
during this period has averaged about
) per cent. emitting them to ffteer
candidates or terms of Office, had any
attempt been made to distribute tho
offices. Under the new system they
cannot possibly do worse and two con
sideratiOns should cause them to d.
better. First, the average voter, vii
not be controlled by any politica
clique. If the country district car
unite on any candidate it's claims viii
ordinarily be recognized. Second
if the country district should decide tt
work unitedly it could defeat a candi
date providing its own claims were
not recognized
viii the vote be gotten out in the
country district l next asked him
Yes. he answered, 'proportionatel,
much better than under the old sys
TEN. About so per cent. was pollet
last fall, this was more than doubl,
that usually received. There is NJ
reason why the farmers will not be OF
hand in full force just the same as a
an ordinary election. The candidate
will wake them up and when it i
understood that every candidate from
governor to coroner will be on hant
to stir up enthusiasm there can be n,
fear but that a large vote will b
polled all along the line
"'You remember, too he said, tina
under your present system when 20
had dozen or fifteen candidates con
ing out for complimentary votes i
thirty precincts in your county in &C
dition to those who had the insid
track each candidate asked for tn
time honored privilege of naming hi
own delegate. This right was usual
recognized unless more than one cal
dldate was out in the same precinC
with the result that in at least half tn
towns and cities throughout eac
county, a corporars guard makes til
selection. This is no longer possibl
under the new system. While som
candidates will possibly be DRAWN
cards for a large share of the voter
the interest will nevertheless b
scattered throughout the ticket b
reason Of the efforts Of the remainin
candidates.
Disposition of Politicians Under II
Law.
But l said, what will we do wit
those public spirited, self-sacrifcir
men who have for many years T
manned in Madison, Milwaukee al
elsewhere in state or federal position
what will we do for platforms {
winch to stand in our political stru
giles OF the future without the service
or these expert builders?'
An, he said, taking me affectio
ately by the arm, they will always