Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-05-27
HADIrs ENDING.

HADITS ENDING
There is little doubt that the people Of |
Wisconsin rest easier now that the leg |
islsture of their state has taken final
leave of itself after nearly FIVE months, |
or the longest session in the past two de-
cades The end came at noon on Satur-
day last The result of its labors are
little different from the average session |
of the past People, without regard to
party, have learned 10 view with suspi |
cion the converting and closing of Wis
consin Legislature 1t cannot be disput.
ed that they have cause for their appre
tensions. Not unlike past sessions, the
one just closed was dominated by the
public service corporations and lobbyists
generally. This applies only to the SEN
ate, which had a slight majority OF
members banded together pledged to the
defeat Of any measure looked upon as
favorable TO the public interest, or if it in
any manner interfered with the schemes
of individuals or corporations AS the
session progressed this majority of so
called stslwarts, or conservatives, be-
came holder. They were encouraged to
this course by the brazen utterances of
federal office-holding and the corpora
tion-purchased press. and the writers
who were seemingly inspired to misre-
present members who sought to comply
with the pledges made by the republi-
can party TO the people. The epithets
of 'populist" and anarchist" were
common TO any and all who cared more
for honor than treschery 10 constituents
and the common interest What might
be thought of the servant who would
traffic away the interests and rights of
his employer His discharge would be
speedy and ignominious What better,
then, should be classed the representa-.
tive who deserts the interests of his con-
stituents 10 the agents Of those concerns
that seek special privileges at the ex-
pense of the publicr But this is pre-
cisely what the state senate did in very
many instances.
To be sure, an ad valorem railroad
bill was passed, but In this 1t was sought
TO invalidAte the law by providing that
railreSd bonds ana stocks should not he
taxed like other similar securities, and
the senate receded not from this unjust
position till 1t became apparent that 1t
might make campaign issue that
would completely blow the perpetrators
so far from earth that they would never
light. And so with the primary cleo
ton matter. II was intended that moth
Ing should be accomplished, but on this
they became alarmed as the session APP
preached an end The assembly, which
forced the issue, passing bill proyid
ing that the primary law be submitted
to the people for adoption or rejection
at the general election in 1904 The
senate dare not take the chances Of re-
fusing this, fearing the wrath of tie
people. This Ia the nearest the friends
OF primary election could conform to
party pledges because of the interven
tion of the senate. II Ia we'll that this
much has been accomplished. For the
third time the voters will have oppor
tnnity TO declare their sentiment for
direct vote s)r the men they wish to
serye them as public officials There is
no doubt of the result. The antics of
the late Legislature has settled in the
minds of the people that majority of
men nominated for Representatives in
the old way will not keep faith with the
masses. But no citizen should be de
ceived by the hired papers that will, for
the next year and a half make common
war on the primary election prime. pies
The professional politicians, the corpor-
ations and the interests that defeated
wholesome legislation during the past
months will be solidly srrayed against
the principle. Money will flow like
water TO accomplish this much promised
reform. Candidates for the legislature
who stand for the peoples interest will
be downed at any cost and men who
can be used to perpetuate the present
unh0ly csuse will be pushed to the
front Stick a pin here and see If this
prediction does not come true