Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-07-29
LETTERS TO
THE FREE PRESS
How it Looks in Marathon
County.

To the Editor: It is not from tn,
prejudicial or selfish standpoint o.
the enthusiast or partisan Of eithel
side in the unfortunate Republican
muddle in this state is best analyzed
but rather from the cooler elevation
of an outsider who has little interest
and less personal sympathy at stake
A few notable pointers, therefore
gathered by the wayside, as it were
of an old timer, though now compare
/ lively stranger, might be interest
ing.
1t does not require much contact
with voters generally here to size uI
/ the fact that the La Toilette and
anti-La Toilette elements, so far as
| the Republican ranks are concerned,
are practically where they were two
years ago-the overwhelming ma
joriJy Of Republican smaller property
holders, workingmen and farmers, as
a rule, being with the governor, while
the heavy business interests are
against him. But there is a remark
able change among nominal Demo
Gratis, and if sentiment here among
| that class is criterion of the standing
in the state, it is safe to predict that
fully third of the Democratic
vote OF the state will go for La Fol
lette. Old rock-rooted followers OF
Jackson, particularly among farmers
and smaller city real estate owners,
are frank aud outSpoken in their
intention of supporting LaFollette,
should their own party fail to put up
one equally pronounced for state
Regulation Of railroads and a fairer
equalization Of taxation.
1t is on these issues the masses are
with the governor, realizing as they
do, that in advocating railroad rate
and tax commission with power to
adjust and equalize as between these
corporations and the more numerous
though less cohesive smaller property
holders and business interests, he is
but fighting their cause and they
would be craven as we'll as chumps
did they fail to stand by him. This
phase Of the conflict is purely q
struggle OF dollars against men, yet
none the less uncertain as we'll as
interesting.
OF course, aside from the corporate
influences swayed by the inherent
instinct to hold all and get more
there are lot of extravagant individ-
ual opponents to the governor whose
corns have been more or less stepped
on and whose accumulated vanity
runs away with what little Judgment
is still left. There is more noise than
danger here, however,: and practically
speaking, these are but the Falstaffs
that furnish the comedy to an other
wise too serious drama.
The stalWart selection of a candi-
date, SO far as Marathon county. is
involved, is decidedly unfortunate,
from the popular standpoint. AS an
early resident, and factor in what was
then known as "the line," being the
western portion of the county along
the then building Wisconsin Central
railroad, and at that time in contin-
uous strife with the older portions
along the Wisconsin river, the early
cOntentions become revived. The
many wordy battles for and against a
new county, with Unity or Colby as
tits county seat are not forgotten and
the Older settler here is not entirely
forgiving, either. Besides, the towns
along s'the lines" at that time were
controlled by. the early natives, also
called ''Anglo-Saxons," OF decided
Puritan tendencies, which did not
mingle we'll with the liberal
Foreigners predominating here. 1t
is preached, of course, the leopard has
changed his spots now. but to many
the nature of the beast is there just
the same. Along with the ghosts OF
"a Bennett law and its ill-fated
associations with the past, it makes a
bad soup for most any kind of Cook.
/ The most startling outcropping,
however, to a Republican, is the
Ievident savage determination OF the
extreme stalwart to wreck Roosevelt
rather than to let up in his mania to
down La Toilette. There seems to
prevade a sort Of fear, or rather
suspicion, that Roosevelt is at heart ia
sympathy with the governor, and this
fairly makes staiwart wild. 1t is a
sight, indeed, TO watch the perform.
|ance when such suggestion is made
your Indian on the warpath isn't in il
there. The sentiment was vel. put uI
by leading stalwart: Don't give a
Id about Roosevelt, we'll beat La Fol
lette anyway"
| Such sentiments become contagious
and if not checked will make Wiscon-
sin again loom up in the Democratic
lcCIumn as in 1892.
| The most distressed sufferer .frcn
this split, or insurrection, as you mal
like it, in Republican ranks is the
prospective local candidate. To dodge
any and all sides, yet look pleasant
land wise and keep up friends where
needed, become feat in mental and
physical gymnastics in your average
L q