Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-10-08
STATE ISSUES.
The Influence of Public Service Corpora
tions on Legislation.

tons on Legislation.
In accepting denomination for the office
of governor at the hands OF the Repub-
lican party, | said:
"'ThC greatest danger menacing PUBLIC
institutions today is the 0verbalancing
control of city, state and national legis-
latures by the wealth and power of pub
lie service corporations
| made this statement advisedly then.
| repeat if now. Not in a spirit of hos
tility 20 any interest, but deeply inn
pressed with its profound significance to
republican institutions and its ultimate
influence upon all citizens and all citizen
ship
Tie idea is not new. 1t is not peculiar
to Wisconsin.
The responsibility it brings cannot be
shirked or pushed aside or postponed.
The national government, every state
government-pa particularly that of every
rich aud prosperous state, every city gov
particularly that of every large
city. has this problem to solve; not at
some other time, but now.
Philadelphia giving away franchises
not supposedly, not guessed at, or estt-
mated TO he worth s.. 100000. but for
which she had been offered S2,50O0OO.
Milwaukee giving away her SS,oOOO0o
street ear franchise against the protest
and Indifferent to the public indignation
Of her citizens; Chicago discovering that
she is robbed in tax payment by cor
porate owners of property of immense
value thrors III fraud and forgery on 81
! gAntic scale; aldermen OF St Louis or
game To Doodle the city with their crime
| inal compact for secrecy that would chtll
| the blood Of common eutthroats--are all
! a part of the testimony that today daily
papers bring OF the great proportions ana
| grave seriousness of the problems which
| control of legislation by aggregate wealth
and corporate power presents for solution
| TO this day and generation.
The Discussion in Wisconsin.
Six years ago public discussion in This
state awakened interest in and directed
attention to the magnitude of the dam
gers menacing representative govern
ment, through the coTrupting influences
| OF wealth and corporate power upon re.
publican institutions.
The record will show that in that dis.
| cussion no individual was assailed; nc
| one political organization was attacked
| no fact was misstated; no interest mis-
| represented Bad systems and corrupt
methods controlling in politics ana legis-
| lation were ex pJsed and discussed. The
| necessity of definite, progressive action
| TO meet the evils, 10 guard the rights of
| ''izenship, TO restore just and equal gov
| eminent. were plainly set forth.
The inequalities in taxation In this
| EiAiE anu tlStNufft were Fl+Nttt4tl Us IA
| anples Of the evils and abuses arising un-
| der government by bosses OF political
| machines, who were either the owners of
! corporations or who were owned by them.
The co-partnership of the political ma
chine Of both parties with public service
! corporations and the profit in it for each,
| was clearly shown. The way they co.
| operate to defeat party pledges, to steal
| public franchises and to corrupt and sup
press legislation inimical TO their inter-
ests was made plain.
Arguments Answered by Abuse.
You remember this discussion was not
| answered by argument, but by denuneia-
| ton. At first il was greeted with SCOTS
| and jcers ana ridicule. When in 1s95
the idea OF equal and just taxation and
| nomination of all candidates by direct
| vote Of the people was recognized as app
| plying wholesome remedies to these evils,
| and Incorporated into platform pledges
| by both political parties. personal abuse
aad vituperation became bitter and yio-
lent in opposition The organs and lob
byists of the political machine ard pub
| iic-service corporations denounced the
| ideas as LA Eolletesms," dangerous,
| Revolutionary and 'sociaistic. The
| common epithets employed by the defend
ers OF these political and legislative
| wrongs were "populist" "demagogue.
| this was because, and only because, the
effort WIS being consistently and earnest
| ~ put forth TO secure the just and equal
| taxation of the taxable property of each
| individual and every corporation, and TO
| secure 10 the people the right TO choose
! their own candidates for public Office by
| direct vote under the Australian ballot.
Remedial Legislation Seemed Assured.
Two years ago the declarations Of the
| Republican platform unanimously adopt
ed seemed a guaranty. at least, so be-
! ieved that the bitter contest was at an
| end. that the justice and equity Of the
! principals contended for had been recog-
! nized and that they would be enacted
/ into law, securing forever 20 the people
/ Of this state great essential rights in gov
/ eminent.
Defeat Secretly Planned.
Had these public service corporations
| spy such thought Not for one moment.
| They formed the compact to defeat this
T.. 10. FFf4Ff han