Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-09-08


partments Of the government in recent
years.
A Stalwart Plank.
We deem it fundamental to repub,
lican institutions that the executive.
Legislative and judicial departments of
the state be maintained In the integrity
and Independence conferred on them
by the constitution, that the one should
not encroach on or coerce the action
of the other; and we deem the coercion
of the legislative Ivy the executive and
the attempted domination of all the
other departments of the state In fur.
therance of personal ambitions as de.
structiye of their respective functions
We submit to the consideration OF
the citizens of this state the utter ina.
bility of the republican party to ac-
complish needed reforms; that the
agents aud servants Of the state paid
TO subserve the public interests have
abandoned their official duties but to
engage at the expense Of the state In
factional strife for political spoils, en-
rendering personal hatred, anlmosity
and division, precluding beyond all
reasonable expectation any needful
Legislation should the said party be
continued In power.
We submit that the remedial leglsla.
ton urgently needed can be accom-,
plished only through the agency Of the
democratic party.
The recent scandals and accompany.
ing disclosures in the Offices of insur.
ance commissioner and state treasurer
Justify belief that the affairs. records
and accounts of these officers, as well
as all other state officers, should be
examined and investigated in the in.
terest of the public welfare which can
only be accomplished through a change
Of administration
This convention reminds the people
Of the state that all their relief from
railroad abuses mas come from the
democratic party and the citizens
must depend upon that party for the
protection Of their rights against IN.
reasonable aud extortionate demands
Of common carriers.
While II must be conceded that the
public service corporations such as
railroads. street railways, express com
panies, sleeping car, telephone and tel.
cgraph companies and other quasi.
public corporations Of Ike character
are essential 70 the progress and de-
yelopment Of the state and to the
comfort and convenience Of the PEG.
pie, yet they should all be compelled
70 bear their Just and equitable share
II taxes.
Elective Commission.
In order that intelligent and unprej.
ud.ced action may be had We favor the
creation OF a commission under law
to be enacted at the first possible mo.
ment IN the next session Of the legis-
lature, the members 10 be elected by
direct vote Of the people, the commits
sion to be given full power. and to
make IL their duty 10 examine. inyes.
gate and ascertain the earnings, ex.
penses, investment, depreciation OF
values. loss BY wear and tear, profits
and losses and everything whatsoever
necessary and desirable to maintain
the exact and true condition ~ every
such corporation above referred 70,
and for that purpose 70 examine the
records, books and accounts of any
and all such corporations, and TO com.
pel the attendance and take or secure
the testimony 81 any and all witnesses
within or without the state. az well as
documentary evidence necessary or
proper for the purposes 81 every such
investigation. and with ike power and