Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-10-08

question which confronts the citizen to-
day is whether the voters of this com
monwealth shall control or whether they
shall bow in submission to q legislative
lobby; whether we shall have here in
Wisconsin a gOyernmet that represents
the will OF the people or a government
that represents the viii Of the corpora
tions; whether the boast that mo legis-
lation has been enacted in this state
during the past sixteen years except with
the approval OF the railroads" shall be
permitted to stand unchaiienged for the
futures; whether every taxpayer of this
state snail go on from year 10 year, as
In the past, meekly paying part of the
taxes OF these public-service corporations
each time that he pays his own: whether,
knowing our rights, we are without the
moral courage and independence to main
tain them.
Rather let it become our proud boast
that no legislation is enacted III Wiscon-
SIN except vita the approval Of ma
Jointly of the people, and that when they
demand the enactment of just law their
representatives. in the Legislature hear
and obey the voice of the people.
The Issue Now Pending.
The y that Chief Justice Ryan
prophesied would come is here: The is
sue which he said would arise is pending.
(which shall rule-wealth or man;
NHicH Sndii Ieau-inODey OF lULeIiecIs VINO
shall NIL public stations-edueated and
patriotic free men, or the feudal serfs of
corporate powerY'
In this contest the Republican party of
Wisconsin today stands undeniabiy, nm
equiyocally, emphatically the organized
instrument OF the people of the state.
Though II failed to accomplish that
which was promised two years ago, it
has taken no backward step, yielded no
principle, sounded no retreat. 1t better
understands the nature Of the conflict, 1t
IS better equipped to meet it, more de-
termined in resolution to win a lasting
victory and write its platform pledges
into statutory law.
These plain truths will triumph. I'm
less | mistake the temper of Wisconsin
citizenship, they will triumph now.
Every man of every party who places
patriotism above party, will bring the
support of his convictions, viii bring all
that is best in him, TO this progressive
movement for good government, which
means SO much not alone TO Wisconsin,
but to all states struggling with the same
forces, contending for the same prin-
ciples. The good citizens of this state
will unite to redeem representative gov
eminent in this commonwealth and make
Wisconsin n model state. The way is
open and the Iower is in your hands.
Demand of every candidate for the Sen
ate and Assem- bly, that he shall publicly
declare how he win vote upon questions
in which you are most deeply interested.
If he talks about exercising his indie
pendent judgment on these issues, have
him plainly understand that this is a rep
resentative government, and that he has
no right to interpose his Independent
judgment or aught else against the
known will of his constituents.
If the chosen representative does not
represent the citizen. his voice is stifed;
he is denied any part in government.
If majority decision as determined by
the law of the land is ignored and re.
yersed, if the expressed viii of the peo-
pie is scorned and scorned agaiE-then
the popular government fails, then gov
ernment of the people, by the people,
and for the people is at I'm end. Its
forms may be observpd-you may have
the mockery of elections and the force
of representation" but government
based upon the will of the people, has
persisted from the earth.