Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-03-09
BAscocK RREoMINArRD FOR CONGRESS.


ton held at Baraboo last Thursday,
was mere ratification of the expressed
will of conventions held in the several
counties of the district, for the re-nomi-
nation OF Congressman J. w. Babcock.
The Vernon delegation, accorning to-
instructions imposed by the county con,
yention, conseientiously acted their
part. They voted Tor the things that
were in harmony with republican prin-
ciples, as promulgated by state and ma
ton, and courageously stood their
ground and voted against buncombe
and fiattery. This Is ali it was ia their
power to do, as a small minority. They
compelled the majority to put itself on
record as opposed to the thing the re-
publican party in Wisconsin has been
contending for, and has partially ac-
complished: Primary elections, equal
taxation, justice on the part Of corpor-
ations to big and little shippers alike;
adjustment of tariff schedules to con-
form with the times; curtailment of
trusts and combines that sap the life
from industry. The claim that these
declarations and principles have no
place in congressional convention is
idle, and practical admission that the
men who stand for Babcockism are
fighting these things under cover, if No
openly.
The convention was a cut-and-dried
affair from start to finish, presided oy.
or by D. B. Hurlbut of Sank, r., p. Per-
ry, also of Sank county, secretary. The
minority in the convention, the Vernon
county delegation, was refused represent
tation on the resolution, or platform
committee, but they were later permit
ted to present declaration u principles
from the floor, which the majority vot-
Ell to take mp section by section, but la
ter fearing to compromise their nomi-
nee before the people, voted them down
: as q whole. The resolutions are:
Resolved, That we favor all legislation cal
cn!ated to confer upon the interstate COM
MERGE commission power GHeCblNelY To con-
troll and regulate freight rates between the
several states. and especially do we endorse
aud approve the bill introduced by Represen-
tatige Cooper OF Wisconsin ia this connec-
ton.
That we hold the United States senators
and c. ngressmen who personally or through
their appointees endeavor to defeat the will
and wishes OF their constituents as expressed
In bills before the legislature or in conven-
ton platforms are directly accountable to
their constituents.
That w favor such revision of the tariff as
viii result in the reduction Of duties on do
nestle products which are sold cheaper IN
foreign countries than IN the American home
market; also that The protective tariff on
domestic products which may be or are sub
iect to control OF combinations by arbitrary
reduction of their manufacture and the re-
suitlug increase Ia price to che consumer, be
similarly revised,
That we heartily commend the action OF
congress in developing and encouraging the
system OF rural free delivery Of mall which
Is proving an immense benefit TO the farmer
and his family, and powerful agent In the
education and general uplifting OF the whole
people. At the same time, we cannot dis
gutse the fact that In this admirable system
itself offers the possibility IL not probability
OF the organization OF an army OF rural mail
carriers TO place ana perpetu ate la Office
men having this patronage under their con
troll The public, the postmaster and the car
cier alike must be protected from inttmida-
ton and undue influence by the most rigid
protection and enforcement OF the civil SER
vice laws. United States senators and con-
slant personal annoyance and Interference
of their duties OF state resulting from the
task OF distributing patronage in the POST
Office department..
That it Is our determinast5a to content for
equal and just taxation for the individual
and corporation alike, and that permanent
state commission be established 10 prevent
discrimination in and lpenalize extortion
through railroad freight rates.
That nominations be made by direct vote
caucuses and conventions now i've or six In
one year, be abolished and mid-wInter eau
cuses, called for the direct purpose Of depriv =
ing the people OF real influence or CONTROL
over the choice OF their representatives, be
forever rendered impossible
The majority and minority resolutions
commend the admirable administration
of President Roosevelt and instruct del
egates elected by the convention to vote
for his denomination. Babeoek's tariff
views, whatever that may mean were
Endorsed by the majority This and
some praise of the nominee, were dis
scented from by the minority, as were
resolutions changing the basis of repre-
sen.ation in the next congressional con
yention to the vote for Babeock instead
of the presidential basis, as now consti-
tuted. A resolution authorizing the
congressional committee to usmp the
prerogatives Of the republican party in
the district by taking away the power
TO call a convention in case Of resigna
ton or death of the congressman, was
protested against by the minority. Un-
der certain conditions this rule should
prevail, but not TO the extent of making
the committee all-powerful when OPP
portunity might be had for delibera-
tive convention.
One of the features of the convention
that was purely Babcockian was the
nomination Of candidate Lefore adop-
tionof platform. Platforms, in these
days of degenerate politics, have no
binding effect on certain class Of poll
tieians.
The name of Mr.. Babcock was pre-
scented to the convention by Mr.. Veeder
OF Mansion. and seconded by Attorney
Howe of Boscobel Judge Mahoney
was named for the high honor by Dis.
trict Attorney J. Henry Bennett, VINO
spoke in splendid voice and presented
his choice and that of the county which
commissioned him Ii was an earnest
and eloquent tribute to the home candi-
date, who was the choice of the strong
ast and most loval county in tha dis.