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

'ublic discussion, by the press and the
1eople, of a proposed primary election
-aw, LOGS delegates chosen by those
who adhered to the tenets of the re
publican party, in Wisconsin. constf-
tutlng the largest representative con
yentIon eyer held in the state as
sembled in the city Of Milwaukee. I
ha, the honor to be the chairman of
the delegation from Richland county
IN that convention. l knew, and tho
delegates from that county knew. and
believe that every delegate in that
convention knew. that a declaration in
favor of the enactment of a primary
election law, would be the principal
plank in the platform of that conven-
ton. 1t was the specific demand Of
the convention, because we had been
delegated by the republican party of
Wisconsin to make that demand: and
amid applause and cheers the platform
containing the pledge of the republi-
can party upon that measure, was
unanimously adopted. It became a
sacred pledge to every candidate who
thereafter accepted a nomination at
the hands of the republican party in
this state. AS sacred as his honor as
man, a citizen, and a candidate Aa
sacred as the glorious history of the
republican party. AS sacred as the
memory of those who once pledged
their lives, their fortunes and their
sacred honor" for the principles of rep
resentative government.
At the November election that plat
form was ratified by the people of
Wisconsin, who gave to it 105,000 ma
jority, the greatest in the history of
the state, because they had faith to be-
lieve that the promise of the repubIi-
can party would be fulfilled. Has it
come to pass that all this is mo rea-
son why these promises should be
kept?" Is there any member of the
Wisconsin legislature who feels that
he can brush aside all considerations
Of honor and loyalty with such i'm.
punity as is advised by the honorable
collector of internal revenues? Can
it be that the present system has so
iebauched American politics that men
can be heard to advise a state legisla-
ture to disregard every pledge and
promise upon which it was elected,
and to declare that such pledges fur
nfsh no reason for their action there
on? If this is true, the system is
bad-nay, it is dangerous, and should
be changed without delay.
Mr.. Monahan asserts that he has
grown gray" in the service OF his
party. That he has devoted years of
his life to the advocacy of republican
principles, and he assures you that
her principles are founded in wisdom.
and are sustained by the love and af-
lection and strength of the people !"
How long does he think she" will con-
tinue in the "love and affection and
strength of the people" when once the
people learn that she" has been Sc
duced by the persuasive eloquence of
the gentleman from La Fayette county
into belief that "she" can lie to the
people with impunity; Or that She
can steal their birthright and barter
it to some political Esau for a mess of
pottage in the form of a federal ap-
pointment.
I,too, have been an advocate of repub-
lican doctrine for twenty years begin
ming long before age had conferred up
on me the right of suffrage. have
had the honor to speak for republican
principles as l understood them, from
the stump in this and other states dur
ing every campaign since 1880. have
not yet, like my distinguished friend
grown gray in the service, but |
have become bald headed, which may
be considered as equally a badge of
servitude. But this is not the only
way in which our services differ. |
advocated republican success, because
honestly believed in republican gov
eminent. Because [ understood and
believed that promise contained in
republican platform, was a sacred
pledge to the people, and that victory
1t the polls meant the fulfillment of
that promise. 1 am grieved to learn
that all the eloquent eulogiums pro-
nounced by my distinguished friend
which have brought him reputation
and honors, were only done for effect,
to fool conffding public. That they
were only cant and hypocrisy. /
should be alarmed to ascertain that
similar views were entertained by
members of the Wisconsin legislature.
| trust that the reward which my de-
serving friend has received for his
distinguished services to his !. party.
was not conferred upon him with
full understanding of the facts on the
part of those who have honored him
with this mark Of their esteem.
The first specific objection made by
Mr.. Monahan to the proposed measure
is, that it necessitates obtaining two
per cent. of the voting population in
the election district, upon a petition or
call, in order to enable the person to
become a candidate.
This is substantially the present
method of making nominations for the
judiciary, and has thus far served it's
purpose admirably.
1t does no harm to any one except
the fellow who cannot get two per
cent of the voters to stand for his
candidacy. 1t seems to me to be a
wise provision and will enable the peo-
pie to rid themselves Of that class Of
professional politicians who do not
represent two per cent. of the people
Of their district, and who under pres
ent conditions frequently come to the
front with most extravagant preten-
sions Under our system Of govern
ment a candidate who is not deSira bic