The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1902-08-14
DEMOCRATS AND GOyERNORSHlP.

DEMOCRATS AND uUfERNOkSHif.
Democrats will soon be called upon to
make a choice for the nomination OF a
governor. The state convention Will
meet in Milwaukee Sept 3, and what
ever decision IA there made will have the
cordial support of the entire party
Several candidates for the nomination
are out and there will be struggle for
the highest place on the ticket. The rea-
son for the aggressiveness manifested by
the various candidates can be found in
the belief that this is Democratic year
and that the candidate Of the party will
get majority Of the votes cast in the
state
While fight is now being made for
gubernatorial nomination it should not
engender bitterness or precipitate an
acrimonious personal canvass. The
hope Of the Democrats is that Democ-
racy shall win and that the state shall!
see the end Of factionalsm when it
comes into juxtaposition with authority.
The Republican party is in power
now. but the governor hands have been
tied by enemies in his own household.
and should he be reelected with a leg
islature pledged to return John G.
Spooner to the senate the tangle would
be inextricable and the annoyance Of it
insuiierable. II IL very generally cred
tied that the voters recognize the
unused situation both now and what
il would be If an inharmonious, nay
hostile divided Republican majority was
again clothed with authority. We
would have a governor having executive
authority but poweress in legislative
affairs because the men Of his own
household are bis enemies Will the
voters endure this intolerable, paradox
ical and inimical political condition to
exsist longer than the law permitsY We
think not, and it is "A widely prevalent
belief that many Republicans are heart
lily sick Of the untoward muddle and will
take no part in the forthcoming battle
The agitation for the retention Of
John G. Spooner in the senate IL very
general in the Republican party; it has
even invaded the La Toilette followers
~ witness the attitude Of the party in
Manitowoc John G. Spooner seems to
be the idol Of the majority Of his party,
aud he will receive unstinted support
from larger number than the governor
figures on. Thus can il be said that John
&. Spooners candidacy for the senate
practically makes Gov Fa Toilette q
negative quantity IA far ~ state legis.
lation is concerned even should he be
elected
II may De true the governor can sue.
gest OF initiate legislative bills. but sug.
gestion snd initiation are yaIuless il the
power which only can give them the
force Of law is hostile Under the cir.
cumstances a. above stated the re.elec-
ton Of Mr. La Toilette 10 the governor
ship would neither be more or less than
the election 10 an executive position
Whose duties would be purely clerical.
1t is an assumption that the governor
should be more than an administrative
officer. He should stand Ok . distinct
force for the creation Of good laws, but
this Mr. La Toilette can never be If Re
publican legislature personally hostil,
TO him il elected
Seeing the Unprecedented prediciment
the Republican party in the state is in
II II natural 10 preeume that the voter
will elect a Legislature and governor whc
can act in concert resulting in the pass
age Of beneficial laws. If this presump
ton is verified who will be the governor
Several men have been before tn,