Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1902-06-19

heed to it and In platforms pledged
to correct it. Conspicuous Ia condem-
nation of the admitted injustice OF
existing taxation laws ana Practices
has been Robert NJ. LaFollette, ana
to him, more than any other In the
state, are the people indebted for en-
lightennent on the subject.
To crystalline sentiment on t1ese
two questions, Mr.. La Toilette be
came a candidate for governor in
1898, and again in 1900 The first time
he was defeated for nomination,
but he bad so impressed his views
upon the state, that the conven-
ton, though rejecting him, dared
not antagonize the principles OF
which he was the recognized cham
pion, and adopted resolutions mildly
favorable to them.
Two years later, in 1900, sentiment
in the state in favor Of more equita-
bic taxation and nomination by di-
rect vote had gained such momen-
tum. that shortly after the announce
ment of the candidacy of LaFollette.
4 NF al
for governor, all opposition was found
hopeless, and went to pieces. The
convention met. nominated LaFoll.
cite unanimously, and by strong
platform pledges committed the par
ty to enac. laws for direct nomina-
tions and more equitable taxation.
No state ticket aud platform ever re-
ceived such emphatic endorsement
at the polls-l03I000 majority
LaFollette was inaugurated gov
ernor Jan. ], 1901, and legislature
largely republican met the week
following. In his inaugural message
the governor strongly urged that the
platform pledges he redeemed IN
full. Bills to that effect were soon
introduced The most formidable
lobby ever known in the capital
swarmed its halls. A lobby consist
ing of trained politicians of the ma
chine type, whose prestige and pow
or must disappear should a primary
election law be passed; and learned
corporation attorneys ami agents,
skilled through many years of deal
ings with legislatures, who realized
that equal taxation meant hundreds
of thousands of dollars to be paid by
their corporate employers, which
they had heretofore unjustly escaped
paying. BY combination of these
forces reforms promised by the re-
publican party were defeated in the
Legislature.
With all the earnestnessi persua-
sion and power of his forceful ma
ture, Governor LaFollette opposed
these lobbyists and labored with the
legislature to stand true to their
pledges. But he failed. Now, fear
ing that they may not be able to con-
troll another legislature elected
under pledges To enact the laws
promised, and supported by the IN
domitable LaFolette. these lobby
lists, corporate attorneys, and traitor
Gus legislators have combined in a.
league to defeat his denomination.
If they succeed, the supremacy of
the money moved machine in Wis
cousin politics, and the continuance
for many more years of the corpora
tons to escape bearing their just
share of the expenses of govern
meut, will be assured. But, If the
people are loyal 10 themselves, this
cannot happen, Loyalty however.
must be active to be effective. 1t
must be exercised in the caucuses by
seeing to it that every man elected a
delegate to county or state conven-
ton is beyond question free from
! faint of so-called stalwartism.
FaRR MlSREPRESENTED.
| The Tribune finds itself in error in