Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-11-04
A Ptt1fnl SnectacIe.

What pitiful spectacle is presented
by our republican contemporaries, the
Central and Record For nearly year
these papers have been filled with sup
plements derogatory to Mr.. LaFollette
and condemning his candidacy for the
governorship. At the same time the
editorial columns of both papers have
been devoted to the same ends, and in
which have been copied, far and wide,
editorials from other journals with the
same intent. In all cases the papers
protested to follow the records and no
one questioned their accuracy. 1t was
made to appear that the governor was
insincere, dishonest and untrustworthy.
His whole career and conduct was sub
jected to a searching analysis, and he
was solemnly and emphatically pro-
nounced unfit for the governorship.
Now those same papers are COM
mending him to the voters and pleading
for his reelection. What alchemy has
so suddenly changed such base metal
into pure gold that he should be pre-
ferred to all others What political
chemistry was applied at Madison on
July 10th, that he could be so completely
transformed Were those papers tell
ing the truth prior to that date If so,
what are they telling nowg
They backed their statements by the
public records then. Now they dare
not appeal to the records. Their state
ments are based upon their preiudices
and desire for partisan success. Shall
we believe them now or must we re-
pudiate them altogether
The pagan priests of Rome are said
to have been such imposters that when
they met in the street they could not
look one another in the face for fear of
laughing. With what grins must these
editors pass each other, when they think
of their imposture and humbug! The
twaddle, the tlap-doodle, the rot that
till their columns is an insult to the in
telligence of their readers.
The steel trust is selling steel rails
So per ton cheaper in Europe than in
the United States. How would it close
our mills and factories to compel tnem
to sell as cheap at home as abroad, since
they are making = good profit on their
foreign shipments
Barbed wire sells at 50 90 per hun
bred, and wire nails at sl.45 abroad.
How would it ruin our farmers to
allow them to purchase at the same
price
Imported tin is taxed $3.50 per hun
bred. If il is here manufactured into
tin cans, and these cans are filed with
American products and exported,
rebste Of 80 per cent. of the duty is
allowed the exporter, but if sold at
home the consumer must pay the tax
How would it promote the growth of
soup houses to allow Americans free
tin for their meats and vegetables
Go to your base deeeivers. If you
were to do in business what you try to
do in politics, you would be tried before
courts for obtaiaing money under false
rretenSeS
How can subscribers look upon
these papers with confidence or re-
spects
What is tie reward for this base grow
cling, this self-Stultifcation. this mis-
representation Are not manhood, in
tegrity, public confidence and respect
worth more than temporary partisan
advantage
Ii may do fer Senator Spooner TO
grovel IL the dust and kiss the feet that
Kick linn, though il his self-respect were
equal 10 ten per cent. of his desire for
office, he would not do it, but what can
compensate these papers for such follys
If they were right in june they are
wrong in November.