Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-05-28
REPUBLICAN, STATE CONVENTION.

for the republican state convention.
The da chosen is July Is, about three
weeks earlier than two years ago.
appears to have been generally desired,
on both sides Of the unfortunate party
controversy, that the convention be held
at a reasonably early date, that there
may be plenty of time to heal wounds
and get in shape for united party be-
fore the active work of the campaign
shall commence. Every republican 10
as well informed on the issues dividing
the party as he is liable to be later, and
as he believes, his influence should be
exerted at caucuses and conventions to
further those convictions. 1t is the
duty Of every good citizen to participate
in the preliminary meetings Of his party.
The selection of the state capital as
place for holding the convention, for the
first time in sixteen years, is fully war
rsnted This is the custom IN nearly
every state. Probably one-haR of the
men who will form the membership Of
the convention win have never paid a
visit to the seat of government, and II
so. perhaps not for several years. This
will afford such an opportunity to in
spect the states possessions OF new
buildings and equipment in what we
pride ourselves as the greatest lnstitu-
sion of learning in the west, our univer-
sity, agricultural farm, the finest his
torical building and library in the west.
the state capitol, legislative halls, fish
hatchery and many other things Of in
tersst to the populace. Madison, with
Mayor John Groves at the head, will
see that every delegate and spectator is
well cared for and entertained The
chatter about Madison not being able to
care for the crowds is without reason
or justice.
Up TO date few have announced their
candidates. for places on the state ticket.
This may, perhaps, be accounted for on
the theory that the contest for governor
has absorbed attention almost entirely.
The rank and file of republicans deplore
the disturbance kicked up in the party
by few men who seek to hide their
legislative record in refusing to comply
with the promises made b. their party
in the last campaign and platform to
which they subscribed when they accept
ID nominations and asked support of
their party. Wiseor ain never gave SO
large majorities as at the last election,
and it was because the people believed
the republicans were in earnest in stand
ing for the policies which were enun-
ciated in the platform, of equal taxation
and primary election Not"a myrmur
was heard, either at the atRte eonven
ton or during the canvass, against these
principles 1t remarked for the federal
Office holders aud the railroad lobby OF
the state TO commence war on the
promised legislation as soon ~ election
had passed Governor La Toilette be-
lieved the legislators ware, by every
moral and political obligation bound to
keep faith with the people who gave
them power. and in this there came q
parting of the ways. The crowd who
fused with the democracy to defeat
promised reforms, and in 80 doing obeyed
the Milwaukee aristocratic bosses, stuff
ed of from the regulr republican party
and formed faction of their own, and
backed by immense wealth, desperate
in distributing their corruption funds,
have been carrying on a campaign of
Islander err detraction such as was
never before known in the history Of
parties, against u governor whose only
offense is that he desired the fulfllment
of party promises and justice TO the
people. For this devotion to the com
mon coed Of the masses this base tie
nent is working every avenue, fair or
foul, TO deprive the people of their rights
and the governor Of customary re-
nomination.
No newspaper or person attempts to
show that Governor La Toilette has
failed in any particular to administer
in a faithful way the affairs of state de-
volving upon him 1t cannot be dis
puted that he has been an honest, pains
taking, economical executive. During
al the detraction by purchased news
papers and the villainous assaults of a
paid organization of writers, and plug
gers inscriptions and dishonest. not a
murmur has come from the governor.
He has endured the fire without word
of resentment, but has remained steGd
Easily at his post carrying on the affairs
of state entrusted to him by the people
of Wisconsin.
The campaign is on. No one expects
that the opposition to just principles will
conduct a fair or honorable canvass.
Nevertheless, let friends of right and
Justice be strong and vigilant, decent
and forbearing The right will pre-
vail Robert NJ La Toilette will he
renominated as certainly as convention
day comes, because he deserves it and
Rsooc,,sa &I,a y,any,1a kpovr ba atands For