Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-12-16

will there ore necessarily enter If the
commission be elective it will he II single,
square Issue between the railroads and the
people.
political power nearer the people. This is
the underlying principle of the primary
law. The commission is an office of such
Importance as to entitle it to he brought
within that principle. When the primary
is once in the humbIest citizen will
have Il voice in choosing such commissions
and 10 my mind that will result i'm =,
stronger commission than one appointed Ivy
any governor, though he be most wise and
prudent.
y practical method snould be devised 80
taat more than two OF the members ~
the commission belong TO the same political
PARTY. Indeed, all state boards ought 70
De thus non-partisan. aud especially those
in charge of our educational and charitable
Institutions. The party in power may have
but 4 plurality upon its credentials The
party out of power may represent but Il
trife less than one-half of the voters. IN
any event the minority are taxpayers as
We'll and the law should grant them \
fair and proportionate representation
The commission should be elected i'll TIE
educational officers, two departments in
which our people take 4 justiiablc pride.
Cor which they entertain the greatest &c
spect Similar pride will follow and like
respect will be accorded Il railroad COM
mission chosen as herein suggested. and
most beneficial results WI flow thercfrom.
if nominated ana elected, | shall urge
them upon the Legislature. | believe the
great body of our voters entertain the
same views Impartial analysis will show
that the disSensions in our party have been
due not so much TO sharp differences of
opinion, as to the manner of discussion
that has been current OF late years. and
which has not always evinced that liberal
ity of thought which is based on the
American maxim of fair play
The extremists have had the floor The
one mas charged-"You are n corruptioniSt
with you, whoever pays is right The
other answered-'.You are Il dema gone:
with you. whatever is. is wrong The one
prejudged all dissenters as dishonest The
other looked upon all progressive changes
as fakes Each was unjust to the other
Good lighting makes good fellowship only
when it is used in the sense Of fair and
free discussion. There should be IL spirit
of fairness toward opponents. The recogni-
ton Of pure motive at least. if good iudg-
ment cannot be conceded. Root out the
idea that one has monopoly of patriotisln
and that the other is reasonably bent on
destruction. For, after all. regardless Of
wealth or poverty, regardless of social or
business status, we are all Americans low
ing our country, and desiring only its best
welfare.
pie and its institutions; people the most
composite in the land, promising the strong
est type OF character; institutions ranking
in the very forefront and the models for
other states We are proud of its civic and
military record; of the prompt answer and
valorous deeds of its soldiers; of the honor
able and useful work of its statesmen and
officials.
Whatever will advance the good name
OF the state, or promote the welfare of its
people, wins our sincere supt3rf. TO de-
termine whether measure will accomplish
this, earnest debate. thorough discussion.
is indispensable. Let us therefore think
fairly, reason calmly, judge mpartialy.
And there is reason TO hope that what has
been so aptly called the saving common
sense Of our people will enable us to pre-
sent q united front which the approa ching
ma tlonal campaign makes imperative.
Manitowoc, Wis, Decemb&r, 1908.
EMIL BAENSCH.