Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-05-15
LEADING DEMOCRATIC OPINION.
From tlle MIIwaukee pally News

From the Milwaukee Daily News.l
AS expected, Gov. La Toilette has
placed his veto upon the Hagemeister
fraud Not only was the bill a humbug,
in that it failed to provide for fair
trial for the principle of direct nomina-
tions, but, as shown by the governor, it
was so framed that had it been approved
by him it would have been null and void
1t was fraud, cheat, a swindle, de-
spicable pretence of something that was
nothing.
In his message to the senate in which
he sets forth his reasons for vetoing the
Hagemeister bill, the governor literally
hays the platform repudiators alive
The history of the effort 10 secure q
primary election law in this state, the
character of the opposition, and the
means employed to defeat ii, !" the gov
ernor says, demand permanent place
III the legislative record this session.
And the governor has written the record
so plainly thai none can fail to under.
stand its u hing.
The peopB Of the state, the governor
points out. were led TO believe the legis-
lature would enact a primary election
law providing for the nomination of all
candidates for office by direct vote
There was not the slightest doubt in the
public mind that the legislature would
carry out its pledges to tire people. II
was looked upoa as q matter of course
When the legislature met, the first in
timation the people had that the prom
ises made them were TO re repudIated
was that the senate had been organized
by the Pfister machine forces and that a
primary election law could not pass
through the upper house. Then was
begun systematic campaign against
carrying Jut the primary election pledge
of the republican party.
The governor does not mince his
words. The disreputable methods used
to secure the Reputation of the primary
election pledge are reviewed-the swarm
ing of q horde of federal Office holders in
the corridors of the capital, the activity
of the corporation lobbyists, the studied
methods of misrepresentation, down
right lying and fraud; the pandering to
the vices of Legislators and the dragging
of intoxicated members to the legislative
halls to defeat the will of the people
that there be no mistaking the character
of che opposition to an honest effort to
keep faith with the people.
The cowardly plea that the Legislators
are under no obligation to abide by
party pledges is thoroughly punctured
The governor tells the platform repI-
diators that they have cheated the peo-
pie and that no honorable man would
accept nomination for an office with
an understanding that ne should support
certain measures that he did not approve,
and when elected insist that he was not
bound to any pledges but was free to
use his own Judgment. Men who will
trick their constituents thus, the COVER
nor says are little short of cheats and
swindlers. And in this thrust at the
betrayers of party platforms and violat-
ers of personal pledges he will receive
the applause of every honest man in the
state, regardless of what party he is
affiliated with. Only cheaters and frauds
disagree with him.
1t is refreshing to have governor who
Is not afraid to call a spade spade, and
cheat a cheat, even If il applies to
members of the legislature, and be tells
at 10 them in veeo message II is high
time that ly;lg, dishonest, swindIiBg
representatives of the people be placed
~ their proper category. Men who 60