Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-05-25

! legislative and judicial-shall be at all
times strictly observed.
For Non-Partisan Courts.
Third-That it is especially important that
the selection and election of judges of the
supreme court be free from partisanship
Fourth-That public officials are paid out
of the moneys eXacted from the people and
should be held to strict attention to the
discharge of public duty.
Fffth-That the administration Of the
government shall be as economical as pos
sible with efficiency.
Railroads Are Necessary.
Sixth-We further declare that railway
corporations are the creditors of the state
and subject to regulation by the state. This
principle, long ago settled by the highest
courts of the state and nation, has not
been and cannot be successfully CHALLENGED
The franchises and power conferred upon
such corporations are primarily for the
public service, and the exercise of the
same should be limited by law and ad-
mlnlstered to the conservation Of the gen
eral public interest. These corporations are
necessary to the public convenience and to
the prosperity and commerce of all the
people All legislative regulation of public
service corporations should be characterized
by q spirit OF justice to the people On the
one hand and to the great interest which
these corporations represent on the other
1t IS oftentlmes problem of great diff
nculty TO make that fair adjustment which
Justice requires
1t so vitality involves the interests of the
state that it should not be entered upon
bindly upon assumption or allegation Of
contested fact, but should be preceded bv
careful legislative investigation Passion
and accommodation do not aid, but they do
ODStruct q wise solution.
Prohibit Secret Preferences.
We favor the enactment of law supplant-
ing existing legislation which, while leay-
ing. the railway companies free to adopt
their rates and regulations to the interests
OF the sections, cities and industries, to
the, state. may be thereby increase,
will prohibit under heavy penalties, unjust
discrimination as to persons or places by
secret preferences or otherwise and we
railway commission of not more than three
members to be elected at the spring cleo
ditions, to originate actions either upon
complaint or It's own initiative) and to
force Qn the courts and by such other
means as may be provided by law a strict
observance Of legal restrictions upon the
exercise of corporate power.
We. favor the retention of the provision
OF existing law giving damages to the ship
per for violation of law and providing the
suit shall be brought and prosecuted In
the name of the state for the benefit OF
the shipper.
Primary Election.
Seventh-The last Legislature enacted and
has submitted to the people, to be voted
upon at the next general election, pro-
posed primary election law. This law pro-
poses a radical change IL the nominating
procedure of all parties, and effects every
elector in the exercise of one of his func-
lions and we approve the action of the
Republican Senate in declining to put Into
immediate operation by the majority vote
of one party such q law. without first Civ
ing an opportunity to all the voters of the
state, each voter upon his own responsible
ity and conscience, to pass upon 1t at the
polls. 1t has passed the platform stage
If it shall not be the will of the people to
do away with conventions in the future, we
favor the enactment of such legislation
shall provide specifically fer the election
and accredting of delegates and the legal
effect which shall be given to credentials
duly executed to the end that it shall be
impossible for any power but the conven-
ton itself to overrule the prima facie title
of delegates and turn preliminarily ma
jority into Il minority.
Eighth-We especially commend the work
ing of the tax commission as shown by its
reports and recommendations to previous
legislatures. and we pledge the support Of
the nominees of this convention to the adj
vancement and completion of the great
work upon which the commission has en-
tered.
Ninth-We pledge the party to enactment
of a law which shall place the commission
er of insurance upon q salary and require
the payment by him into the state treasury
of all fees collected by him to the end
that the office may be administered solely
with view to benehtting the people of the
state.