Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-03-07

will of the electors, because the
responsibility will be direct and they
cannot hope to escape the consequent
ces of bad faith. Under the present
system there is no responsibility
resting upon any one. The delegate
may put in planks, good, bad of indif-
ferent and when the convention has adj
journed the delegates responsibility
ceases. Not so under this proposed
bill, the men who declare the prin-
ciples must enforce them and if rati-
fed by the electors, and bad faith re-
suits, we know exactly who is respOn
sible and where to attach the blame.
So when you give this feature OF the
bill fair consideration, it does not
seem so ridiculous after ALL but on
the contrary stands out as one of the
strongest features of the bill.
Dement'S of Present System. :.
No necessity exists for entering
the present system. The opinion is
ventured that today it has few apollo
gists or defenders outside of the direct
benefciaries Of it's operation. The
widespread dissatisfaction that exists
among the people with the system,
not only in Wisconsin, but in other
states; the interest that has been
awakened in this measure throughout
the country; the arguments among
political economists, and many other
facts that might be enumerated, show
that there is something radically
wrong, that the system has ceased to
meet satisfactorily the necessities
that gave it birth That it was effcc
tive for a time may be admitted, but
that those who devised it ever real
lied. the tremendous possibilities
with which it was pregnant for the
concentration of power in the hands
of few, to the absolute destruction
of popular government, I do not be
lieve. Party organization under this
system or any other system is an alb
solute necessity. The Indictment
which I bring against it is, that it has
long since ceased to be an instru-
mentality for putting the machinery
against the common enemy. When
operated to that end alone it sub
served a useful and~legitimate pur
pose The trouble is that the present
system has fallen under the control
of few trained politicians "and,
starting with a strong central power;
having auxiliaries in every county in
the state, it absolutely dictates nOmi-
nations to public office from the low
est to the highest. It's most effective
work is done before and at the con-
vention, and it's energies are as often
directed toward killing off men within
the party, and more so, than in
fighting the opposition party, it's poll.
cies or candidates. 1t has in fact
been absolutely perverted from its
original purpose, and now instead of
serving the people, or being con-
trolled by them as a convenient instru
ment for nominating candidates, it
has become the absolute master of
the voters, and instead of expressing
their will, it absolutely dictates to
them in the choice of candidates.
Duty of Legislature.
If it is the will of the electors that
they shall have this bill a law, why
should not that will be respected?
When you obey their wish; when
you faithfully redeem your party 5
pledges, you shall stand acquitted of
all blame. If the operation and effect
Of the law produces the beneficial re-
suits which it's friends claim for it;
If it overComes and removes the evils
which now exist, and makes the nomi-
nation Of candidates for public office
more simple, more satisfactory, more
direct, placing the absolute power in
the hands of the elector, you shall
have your full measure of the glory.
Ii perchance, it proves otherwise, and
its effects are disappointing to the
electors, who demanded it. you shall
stand acquitted of all blame. for YOU
Will simply have done your duty, and
the electors who demanded the meas
ure at your hands must take the
responsibility and its consequences.
But let me say to you that it will not
fail. Salus popui est suprema lex. is
an axiom older than the Republic, but
its sentiment is one to which every
freeman lends ready assent. If in
your discharge of duty here, you carry
ont its letter and spirit, your act will
have the approval of your consciences
and meet the applauding judgment of
mankind.