Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-04-02
AS ofAERs sEg

Throughout tn state thereis nnfavor-
able comment On the unprecedentedly
early date at which Cur congressional
convention is called to meet Nopsrson
attempts TO cfftr any reason for this cal
ling of unnecessary caucuses and con-
ventions in every county in the district
and we firmly believe that not twenty
five Of the 4, 500 Vernon county republi-
cans approve of this unrepubl can ma
neuvre. The following article from the
La Crosse Chronicle expresses sentiment
of this section and of the state generally;
In the Third congressional district tie
convention has been called for the mid
| die of April There are so many reasons
why congressional convention should
not be held so far ahead that 1t will be
surprising If there Is not soD.e very
sharp criticism of Congressman Babcock
and his followers for being in such an
apparent hurry
Under the call now issued the repub-
licans of the Third district will he com
PEELED to place their candidate for CON
gress in the field seven months before
| the electioni 1t may prove u serious
handicap, as unforeseen events, and
changed conditions, might make In es-
seutial to success TO have a candidate on
the ticket In accord with the attitude OF
| the party on a national issue.
In this instance Congressman Babcock
is sure of denomination, and there Is
perhaps only remote possibility that he
may stand apart from the majority OF
his party on election day in November.
But We do not apply the principle alone
10 Congressman Bahcock, we apply 1T to
all congressman seeking denomination.
Who knows, for instance, how some
of these congressman are going to vote
during the present session of congress
on important legislation that Ia coming
upP And congress cannot possibly close
mp its business before the middle OF
June.
Suppose congressman should have
the advantage of an early convention
and secure the nomination, say in April.
Dr. ing the months of May and june he
might as a member of congress so record
his vote as to make him exceedingly un'
popular with large proportion OF the
voters in his district. The democrats,
seeing their oppori unity, might then
nominate man in accord with the pre-
dominant sentiment cf the district, and
in accord with the policy Of the repnbli-
cans on the particular issue on which
the renominated congressman was weak
because Of his vote in May and June.
The result would probably be q net gain
of one for the democrats in congress
The abnormally early congressi' nal
convention il contrary TO the pripcipies
of good government. good politics, and
good taste If a Congressman has made
a good record in congress let him come
back and stand on his record Then ht
is pretty sure of renomilrtion. Eve 4
then il reelected, he does cot take his
} oath of Office until the following March,
and he does not begin his active service
until nine months later in December.
Il is perfectly natural for congress.
man to wish 70 be renominated as early
as 20 sible and thus have the worry OF
the job off his hands. But the people
of the district have some rights in the
matter, and one of these rights is to de-
eide whether or not the record of the
congressman has been such that they
wish him to represent them for another
term. TIC decide that they may wish to
know how he has finished his last term.
The Chronicle believes that 1t is I'M.
wise; and unrepubl'c.n, to place eandi
dates for congress in the tield seven
months before election day, particular.
ly when they will be away at Washing
to for part of this time making his.
tory We do not know what they may
do in that time, and some of them may
not know themselves.
Nominating or renominating con-
-, cd IA
buying pig in poke.